Chamber to host debate on constitutional convention

Whether you know it or not, you will get to vote in November on an issue that is potentially quite important to the future of Illinois. No - I'm not referring to the recall amendment, although that will be on the ballot here in Cook County, too.

You will be able to vote on whether Illinois should hold a new constitutional convention next year.

Exactly what does this entail and how should you decide how to vote? Good question!

Since no one seems to have a clue on this one, the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce will host a one-hour debate on the subject at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, in the third floor Village Board Room of the Mount Prospect village hall, 50 S. Emerson St.

Ed Murnane of the Illinois Civil Justice League will debate Bruno Behrend of the Illinois Citizens Coalition.

Murnane was named president of the Illinois Civil Justice League in 1993 after serving the Reagan and Bush administrations for four years, including three years as the Midwest Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration. Behrend is the host of the Extreme Wisdom Radio Show on WKRS 1220 AM which broadcasts from Waukegan. Behrend is also co-founder of the Illinois Citizens Coalition and a spokesman for the "Yes for Illinois" campaign.

The debate is open to the public.

French Market this Sunday: Join the Mount Prospect Sister Cities Commission Sunday when they host "The French Market" in conjunction with the Mount Prospect Lions Club Farmers Market. The combined market will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Metra commuter parking lot at the intersection of Northwest Highway and Route 83 in downtown Mount Prospect.

This special one-day French Market will feature: Retro Bistro sidewalk cafe, a French cooking demonstration by Dave's Specialty Foods, Brie's Gift Gallery antique bazaar, Busse Flowers fresh-cut bouquets and Vino100 French wines. There will even be a French accordion player, sponsored by Ravenswood Bank.

This is being sponsored by the Mount Prospect Sister Cities Commission as a celebration of Mount Prospect's relationship with its Sister City, Sevres, France.

Fishing Derby: The Mount Prospect Park District will hold its annual Fishing Derby at Clearwater Park from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. This is a chance for boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 14 to try to catch the big ones of the lake, located on the south side of Lonnquist Boulevard, just west of Busse Road. The derby will open at 8:30 a.m. with an educational clinic on water and fishing safety. The actual fishing begins at 9 a.m. with the park district providing the bait. All participants must be accompanied by an adult. The fee is $6 per child and you are advised to register early because space around the lake is limited. Phone (847) 298-3500 for registration information.