Raoul discusses state’s fiscal crisis at Elmhurst College

Illinois state Sen. Kwame Raoul will discuss “Illinois’ Fiscal Crisis: Decades in the Making” on Nov. 18 as a part of Elmhurst College’s “Fixing Illinois: A Great State’s Problems and Promise” lecture series.

Raoul’s talk will begin at 7 p.m. in Elmhurst College’s Founders Lounge of the Frick Center, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. Admission is free and the public is invited.

A Democrat from Chicago’s South Side, Raoul has served Illinois’ 13th legislative district since November 2004. In 2011, he was deemed the new “it guy” in Springfield for leading high-profile Democratic pushes to ban the death penalty, reform pensions, overhaul the state’s workers’ compensation system and redraw legislative boundaries.

Raoul recently helped pass major legislation targeting gun trafficking, and he successfully sought the inclusion of restrictions and safeguards for the state’s concealed carry law. His efforts toward improving Illinois’ economic situation are highlighted through his convention center reforms and a multibillion dollar capital bill aimed at creating and retaining jobs.

Raoul serves as chairman of the Judiciary Committee and vice chairman of the Criminal Law Committee, and as a member of the Labor and Commerce, and Insurance and Public Health Committees.

In June, Elmhurst College launched “Fixing Illinois: A Great State’s Problems and Promise” with the goal of starting an ongoing discussion about the challenges that Illinois faces, and empowering citizens to help address those challenges and move the state forward.

Previous speakers include gubernatorial candidates Bruce Rauner and state Sen. Kirk Dillard, as well as Illinois state Reps. Dennis Reboletti and Jeanne Ives, and political commentator Dan Proft. Illinois gubernatorial candidate state Senator Bill Brady is scheduled to speak Nov. 11.

For details, call (630) 617-3390.