LGC in Springfield
Includes all programming, tours, museum admission, and meals.
Guests are welcome!
Registration has closed.
Leadership Greater Chicago and the Convene Committee of the Leadership Fellows Association (LFA) invite you to join us in Springfield this February!
This visit to our state's capital is an opportunity for direct engagement with Illinois lawmakers to explore the challenges affecting Illinois. During these unplugged conversations, we will explore the pension crisis, the state budget, and school reforms. Governor Bruce Rauner (Fellow since 1995) will join our programming on Wednesday, February 28 from 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Our scheduled activities will include speaker panels with legislators, networking, a reception at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and a tour of the Illinois State Capitol. Participants will receive a toolkit to help them facilitate meetings with their representatives while we are in Springfield.
AGENDA:
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27
Arrive in Springfield
3:00 p.m.
Tour Abraham Lincoln Presidential
Library and Museum
3:00–5:00 p.m.
NOTE: Museum closes at 5:00 p.m.
Museum Address: 212 N. Sixth St., Springfield, IL 62701
For directions, click here.
Networking Reception and Dinner
5:00–6:00 p.m.
An after-hours reception in the Abraham Lincoln Presidenial Library (Lincoln Reception Room)
Library Address: 112 N. Sixth St., Springfield, IL 62701
For directions, click here.
State School Funding Reform: A Case Study in Legislating
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Speakers: State Senators Andy Manar and Jason Barickman
They will discuss what the recent legislation around school funding reform means for Illinois.
Dessert Reception
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Library Address: 112 N. Sixth St., Springfield, IL 62701
For directions, click here.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28
We will spend the day in and around the Capitol engaging with legislators and other leaders to learn more about the pressing issues facing our state. Wednesday's programming will take place in the William G. Stratton Building of the Illinois Capitol complex, with the exception of our conversation with Governor Bruce Rauner and tour of the Illinois State Capitol. Please meet in the Stratton Building cafeteria for breakfast. From there, we will head to room 413B for morning programming. NOTE: You will need to pass through security to enter each building.
Breakfast and Networking
8:15–9:00 a.m.
William G. Stratton Building - Cafeteria:
401 S. Second St., Springfield, IL, 62701
For directions, click here.
Fireside Chat on State Finances: Is Illinois Broke?
9:00-10:00 a.m.
Speaker: State Treasurer Michael Frerichs
Moderator: John Kamis (Fellow since 2017)
Partner at Carpenter Lipps & Leland
They will discuss the real finanical state of the state.
Fellows and Guests in Dialogue
10:00–10:30 a.m.
William G. Stratton Building - Room 413B:
401 S. Second St., Springfield, IL, 62701
For directions, click here.
Conversation with Governor Bruce Rauner (Fellow since 1995)
10:30-11:15 a.m.
Remarks from the Governor followed by audience Q&A and dialogue
Governor Building Address:
207 State House, Springfield, IL, 62701
For directions, click here.
The State Budget and its Impact
11:30–12:30 a.m.
Speakers: Director of Governor's Office of Management and Budget Hans Zigmund, former State Senator Donne Trotter, and lobbyist and President of Lowder Governmental Solutions John Lowder.
Moderator: Cristal Gary (Fellow since 2017)
Principal at Leavitt Partners, LLC and
Former Deputy Governor of Illinois
This expert panel will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the state budget, and the impact on the social safety net and service organizations.
William G. Stratton Building - Room 413B:
401 S. Second St., Springfield, IL, 62701
For directions, click here.
Lunch and Dialogue
12:30–1:30 p.m.
Following the morning’s programming, we will break for a “working lunch.” This will include a facilitated dialogue to help Fellows and guests continue the conversations from the morning and connect with one another.
William B. Stratton Building - Room 413B:
401 S. Second St., Springfield, IL, 62701
For directions, click here.
Tour of the Illinois State Capitol | Group Photo
1:30–3:00 p.m.
We will conclude the trip with a guided tour of the Illinois State Capitol. Afterward, Fellows and guests are free to explore Springfield on your own, meet with representatives and other leaders, or return home.
State Capitol Address: 401 S. Second St., Springfield, IL, 62701
For directions, click here.
HOTEL
Hotel and transportation to and from Springfield are on your own. Our block of hotel rooms secured for Fellows at the President Abraham Lincoln Doubletree (701 E. Adams Street) is full.
Hotel rooms can be reserved at the Wyndham Hotel, located across the street (700 E. Adams Street), by calling (217) 789-1530. The rate is $134 per night (excluding tax).
TRANSPORTATION
Springfield is accessible via car (3-4 hours from Chicago, approximately) or by Amtrak (3.5 hour train ride, approximately). Multiple Amtrak trains are available from Chicago to Springfield each day. You can purchase Amtrak tickets for $21 each way here. The Amtrak station is located at 100 N. Third Street, in the heart of downtown Springfield.
You can get around Springfield easily via Uber, Lyft, taxi and bus.
A complimentary shuttle is available to the Amtrak for guests of the President Abraham Lincoln Doubletree Hotel (701 E. Adams Street).
PARKING
Parking at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is available in a garage located at the corner of Sixth Street and Madison ($1.50/hour rate). This facility will remain open until 9:30 p.m. on the night of the reception. Metered street parking is also available.
Self parking ($7.00) and valet parking ($13 - $22) options are available at the President Abraham Lincoln Doubletree Hotel.
For a map/list of other parking options in downtown Springfield, click here.
MATERIALS
Participants will receive a name badge and a welcome folder of information at the reception on Tuesday evening, which starts at 5:00 p.m. NOTE: If participants are not able to attend the reception, they will receive materials the following morning at breakfast.
ATTIRE
Business attire preferred. Also, remember to pack your LGC lapel pins! We will be wearing them proudly throughout our visit.
ACCESSIBILITY
All venues are accessible. Also, we have arranged the services of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for all programming.
SECURITY
Upon entering government buildings, please allow extra time for security procedures to ensure you are not delayed. Bags are subject to search and backpacks are discouraged. Metal detectors may be used. Pocket knives and sharp objects will be confiscated.
Questions? Contact Director of Programs Ben Brownson at ben.brownson@lgcchicago.org.
