Your Vote Matters Close to Home:  Local Elections and Local Economies 

Presidential elections get lots of attention while local city council members are sometimes elected by a handful of voters.  Decisions made by local governments influence economic, social, educational, and many other issues that are tremendously relevant to your day-to-day life. 

Let's talk about why you should be paying attention to what happens close to home just as much -- if not more -- than what happens on the national scene.

Dr. Laura Vazquez, Presidential Teaching Professor and Member of the All In Democracy Challenge Steering Committer will moderate a panel discussion examining the direct connection between local government, local economies and quality of life. 

Panelists include:         

• Dr. Rena Cotsones, NIU Chief Engagement Officer
• Dr. Christine Mooney,  Barsema Professor of Social Entrepreneurship, NIU College of Business   
• Mr. Jim Norris, NIU MPA alumnus, recently retired City Manager of Hoffman Estates and Consultant, NIU Center for Governmental Studies