FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
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Press@Chicago2024.com
Chicago 2024 Host Committee Announces Youth, Accessibility, and Labor Advisory Councils
Chicago, IL – In an effort to host the most accessible, sustainable, and inclusive convention in history, the Chicago 2024 Host Committee announced the formation of three additional advisory councils to make recommendations on best practices for youth engagement, accessibility, and labor relations for the upcoming Democratic National Convention. The three councils, in addition to the Business Diversity Advisory Council formed last December, work closely with the Host Committee to ensure regional experts can provide input on the convention planning and decision-making process.
“We are thrilled to have some of Chicago’s foremost experts on youth engagement, accessibility, and labor relations working closely with our team,” said Chicago 2024 Host Committee Executive Director Christy George. “From day one we have endeavored to bring the community into the planning and execution of this summer’s convention, and our advisory councils are a critical step for making that goal a reality.”
Learn more about each advisory council and its membership below.
Youth Advisory Council
The Youth Advisory Council, comprised of leaders from 17 youth-serving organizations, works with the Host Committee’s civic and community engagement team to ensure youth inclusion throughout the Democratic National Convention. The council provides feedback on the Host Committee’s youth engagement strategy and will spearhead a series of events geared towards educating Chicago-area youth about civic engagement and nominating conventions.
The following organizations have representation on the Youth Advisory Council: VOYCE, My Block My City My Hood, After School Matters, Chicago Youth Programs, Chicago Scholars Foundation, Jack and Jill Chicago Chapter, YMCA of Metro Chicago, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, Girls Inc., 100 Black Men, TruStar Media, Young Democrats of Illinois, and the Chicago Park District.
“Chicago’s future shines brightest when its youth are at the forefront of decision-making,” said Chicago 2024 Host Committee Senior Director of Civic and Community Engagement Mo Green. “By empowering young people to shape this historic event, we’re not only building a brighter tomorrow for our city, but we are also ensuring that every resident’s aspirations are heard and valued.”
Labor Advisory Council
The Labor Advisory Council, made up of leaders from more than 30 labor unions and workers’ rights organizations, works with the Host Committee to ensure the inclusion of labor is thoughtful, robust, and reflective of Illinois’ commitment to workers’ rights. The council strives to make positive and lasting impacts on the labor community and work towards achieving the shared vision of maximizing organized labor’s participation in the Democratic National Convention.
Co-chaired by Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter and Executive Vice President of SEIU Healthcare Illinois Erica Bland, the following organizations have representation on the Labor Advisory Council: Illinois AFL-CIO; Chicago Chapter of Coalition of Black Trade Unionists; Chicago & Cook Building & Construction Trades Council; Chicago Laborers’ District Council; UAW Region 4; Plumbers Local 130; IBEW Local 134; Iron Workers District Council of Chicago and Vicinity; Chicago Teachers Union; SMART; LiUNA Local 1092; ATU Local 241; SEIU Local 1; SEIU Healthcare; SEIU State Council; SEIU Local 73; IUOE Local 399; UNITE HERE Local 1; AFSCME Council 31; Illinois Federation of Teachers; IBEW Local 9; UFCW Local 1546; Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council; UFCW Local 881; International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council #14; Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 73; IUOE Local 150; Teamsters Joint Council 25; Teamsters Local 727; IATSE Local 2; USW Local 17 Decorators; Riggers, Machinery Movers and Machinery Erectors Local 136; IAMAW Midwest Territory; Chicago Fire Fighters Local 2; Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois; NALC Branch 11 Chicago; Teamsters Local 700; ATU Local 308; and Chicago Pipefitters Local 597.
“This Labor Advisory Council exemplifies the Chicago Host Committee’s commitment to working people,” said Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter. “The labor movement is built on a core set of values centered on equality, justice, and diversity that drives our mission to improve the lives of everyday hard-working Americans. This convention will be powered by union workers and organized labor is ready to welcome everyone to Chicago to celebrate all we’ve accomplished in this movement.
“Union workers are woven into the very fabric of the city of Chicago,” said Executive Vice President of SEIU Healthcare Illinois Erica Bland. “Our hard-working members show up every day to make Chicago a place we are proud to call home. This summer we’re excited to honor our workers and showcase our city’s rich labor history and culture to everyone coming to the Democratic National Convention. This advisory council is the first step, of many, to ensuring that.”
Accessibility Advisory Council
The Accessibility Advisory Council, composed of advocates and leaders from numerous organizations and city agencies, works with the Host Committee to ensure the convention is accessible for all attendees, including persons with disabilities. The council helps to incorporate accessibility in the planning and implementation of all convention facilities and activities. Led by co-chairs Emily Blum of Disability Lead and Laura Saltzman of Access Living, the following organizations are represented on the council: the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, Illinois Secretary of State Office, Access Living, Disability Lead, University of Chicago/Disabled People of Color Coalition, National Federation for the Blind, Chicagoland Black Deaf Advocates, Illinois Deaf Latino Association, Chicago Hearing Society, Cultural Access Collaboration, Equip for Equality, Chicago Transit Authority, Blind Services Chicago Inc., Asians with Disabilities Outreach Project/UIC, Illinois Self Advocacy Network, Chicago Park District, Chicagoland Alliance for Disabled Owned Businesses, Chicago Department of Aviation, National Coalitions of Latinxs with Disabilities, Gridiron Alliance, TASH, Progress Center for Independent Living, and SPR.
“Chicago’s disability community is active and vibrant, so it’s not surprising that when asked to help make the 2024 convention in Chicago more accessible and inclusive, so many of us enthusiastically raised our hands,” said Executive Director of Disability Lead Emily Blum. “We are excited to not only shape an equitable experience for disabled convention-goers in August, but we hope to have a lasting impact on what it means to create large-scale experiences that are truly inclusive for people with disabilities.”
“Gathering the voices of those in Chicago’s disability community together on the Accessibility Advisory Council will help inform and create actionable policies for the Host Committee to make the 2024 convention the most accessible in history,” said Senior Policy Analyst with Access Living Laura Saltzman. “We look forward to collaborating in the weeks to not just ensure accessibility around all convention facilities and activities, but that this results in permanent improvements to the City’s accessibility for people with disabilities.”
Last year, the Host Committee announced the launch of the Business Diversity Advisory Council, co-chaired by the Executive Director for the Federation of Women Contractors, Jaemie Neely, and the Executive Director for the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association, Jackie Gomez, to make recommendations on best practices for diverse business enterprise involvement and participation in the activities during and surrounding the convention.
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