Civics Awareness Series panel to discuss violence prevention Sept. 8

On Thursday, Sept. 8, Cantigny Park and the Leagues of Women Voters for Roselle-Bloomingdale, Central Kane County, Glen Ellyn, and Wheaton continue their Civic Awareness Series with a panel discussion on "Preventing Violence in Our Communities."

It will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Le Jardin room at Cantigny Park at 1S151 Winfield Road in Wheaton. It also will be offered virtually via Zoom; sign up for the link at cantigny.org.

The co-sponsors welcome Phil Andrew and Chris Paterson for a discussion (in-person and online) about preventing violence and restoring safety in our communities.

Andrew is principal of PAX Group, a crisis and conflict management consultancy dedicated to helping leaders and organizations navigate dynamic environments. He was previously the director of violence prevention for the Archdiocese of Chicago and served in the City of Chicago's Office of Violence Prevention. A former FBI special agent, he has led hostage negotiation teams and has expertise in violence prevention, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, and crimes against children. Andrew is an adjunct instructor at Northwestern and DePaul Universities and serves as an advisor to the National Security and Human Rights Law Center at Kent College of Law.

Paterson is the Assistant Secretary for the Illinois Department of Human Services Office of Firearm Violence Prevention. Before creating the OFVP, he was the chief program officer at Friends of the Children-Chicago, an organization that provides children facing the greatest obstacles with paid, professional mentors. Prior to joining Friends of the Children, Paterson was senior director of programs and policy for the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago. He has been a thought partner and implementer for two of Chicago's largest violence intervention efforts, READI Chicago and Communities Partnering 4 Peace.

Registration is not required to attend in person. Entrance to Cantigny is free if you tell the parking attendant you are attending the Civic Awareness Series.

Questions may be submitted in advance to ccorrigan@fdmuseum.org or or blaimins@gmail.com.

During the presentation, virtual participants can use the Q&A button located at the bottom of the Zoom screen.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy and does not support or oppose any political parties or candidates. With over 100 years of experience and more than 800 local and state affiliations, the League is one of America's most trusted grassroots organizations. Membership in the League is open to people ages 16 or older. For details on joining, visit my.lwv.org/illinois/rosellebloomingdale, my.lwv.org/illinois/wheaton, or my.lwv.org/illinois/central-kane-county.

For more information on the League of Women Voters of Illinois, visit www.lwvil.org, or for information on the League of Women Voters of the United States, visit www.lwv.org.