Chicago Mayoral Candidates will Take Part in Chicago Women’s Mayoral Forum

Deborah Bayliss | As of Wednesday, January 21, 2015

The five candidates vying to become Chicago’s next mayor, will assemble to answer questions on Saturday at the first-ever Chicago Women’s Mayoral Forum.

“What matters to women, matters to Chicago," said NPR correspondent Cheryl Corley, who will moderate the event. "Forums like this can influence more than the election outcome – they can help frame an agenda for the city.”

Sponsored by Chicago Women Take Action (CWTA) and an alliance of twenty, leading Chicago organizations for women and girls, the Chicago Women’s Mayoral Forum is free and open to the public and is scheduled to take place from 2 – 5 p.m. on Jan. 24th at the Chicago Temple 77 W. Washington St. (Washington and Clark).  

Organizers say the forum is not a debate and that each of the five candidates, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Ald. Robert Fioretti, (2nd Ward); Cook County Commissioner, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia; political activist, William “Dock” Walls and millionaire business man, Willie L. Wilson, will appear in sequence to make their case and respond to the issues raised in the CWTA Chicago Women’s Agenda – a document forged by the sponsoring organizations and others over the summer.

The Chicago Women’s Agenda contains draft statements for the eleven major issues that emerged from an Oct. 18th, 2014, Women’s Assembly. Mayoral candidates are expected to answer questions from the agenda that also has a corresponding action plan as to how to resolve the issue. Agenda items that candidates will tackle include: Full Reproductive Rights for women, Economic Security and Empowerment, Expanded Opportunities for Young Women, Real Immigration Reform, Freedom from Violence, Common Sense Gun Control, Criminal Justice Reform and Liveable Conditions that include safe affordable housing close to work, free from toxic chemicals and food deserts.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to give Chicagos women a first-hand look at the candidates – and how they stand on the issues about which women most care,” said Marilyn Katz, who with long-time activist Jacky Grimshaw and Ann-Breen Greco, founded CWTA in 2013.  “With our alliance involving women from 18 – 88 and from every part of the city, we’ve forged a common agenda, successfully worked for a minimum wage increase and now hope to offer women a close-up look at those who would have their votes.”

The schedule is as follows:

2:00 – Opening (Marilyn Katz, Jacky Grimshaw, Caroline Gibbons and others)

2:30 – Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel

3:00 – Ald. Robert Fioretti (2nd Ward)

3:30 – Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia

4:00 – Willie L. Wilson

4:30 – William “Dock” Walls

5:00 – Adjournment

Space is limited. Attendees can register at ChiMayoralForum.eventbrite.com. 

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