District 214 conversation previews 2016 presidential election

High School District 214 will welcome political journalists and consultants this month for a conversation outlining issues at the heart of the presidential campaign - part of a continued effort to engage community members on topics that matter.

The free event is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, at the Forest View Educational Center Theater, 2121 S. Goebbert Road in Arlington Heights.

Community members are invited to explore the trends and topics shaping the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, and will have an opportunity to submit written questions.

Panelists are Eric Adelstein, former State Director of Illinois' 1992 Clinton/Gore campaign and founding partner of AL Media, one of the nation's leading Democratic media companies; Pat Brady, former chairman of the Illinois Republican Party and now a consultant with Next Generation Public Strategies, a government affairs and media relations firm; Dan Mihalopoulos, an investigative reporter and political columnist at the Chicago Sun-Times; and Kerry Lester, a Daily Herald columnist, senior writer and former political editor who spent several years covering politics for The Associated Press, based in Springfield.

Tom Smith, John Hersey High School division head and debate coach, will moderate.

Though the event is free, seats are limited. To secure your seat, visit www.d214.org/panel.

The event is hosted by District 214 Community Education toward a goal of lifelong learning.