Illinois school seeks forum speaker after Ben Carson cancels

ELGIN, Ill. (AP) - A suburban Chicago college says it's searching for a new keynote speaker for its annual leadership forum after Dr. Ben Carson said he's unavailable.

Carson has been nominated to serve as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Judson University officials say Carson informed them he's no longer available because of the nomination.

University officials are looking for a new keynote speaker for the school's 2017 World Leaders Forum.

Past speakers have included Queen Noor of Jordan and Mikhail Gorbachev.

Judson University is an evangelical Christian school located in the Chicago suburb of Elgin. About 1,200 students are enrolled.