Chicago Urban League, Business Leadership Council and CBS 2 Chicago to Host Gubernatorial Debate

The live, televised debate will feature Governor Pat Quinn and challenger Bruce Rauner and will focus on key issues that impact the African American community and the state as a whole, including job creation, business growth, education and public safety.

The debate will be moderated by CBS 2 Chicago anchor and reporter Jim Williams. The panelists will include: Perri Small, host of “The Perri Small Show” on WVON, Corilyn Shropshire, business reporter at the Chicago Tribune, and Jay Levine, chief correspondent at CBS 2 Chicago. The broadcast will be anchored by CBS 2 Chicago’s Rob Johnson and Kate Sullivan.

“Problems that persist in the African American community impact the well-being of the entire state and require action at all levels,” said Andrea L. Zopp, president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. “This debate gives the public a unique opportunity to hear directly from the candidates about the issues at stake in this election and how they plan to address them. We want the community to be fully engaged and, on November 4, make an informed decision about the future of Illinois.”

“This gubernatorial debate provides a platform for the Black community to raise issues that uniquely affect our community and impact the state of Illinois,” said Frank M. Clark, chairman of the board and president of the Business Leadership Council.  “Issues such as education, economic and business development as well as the violence in our neighborhoods deserve specific plans on how these matters will be addressed by the next Governor of the state of Illinois. We hope to hear that response.”

“As part of our strong commitment to the community, CBS 2 Chicago is proud to broadcast this debate in collaboration with the Chicago Urban League and the Business Leadership Council,” said Marty M. Wilke, general manager and president of CBS 2 Chicago. “All elections are important, and we look forward to presenting the gubernatorial candidates to the public in this in-depth conversation on issues that will resonate with everyone who tunes in.”

The debate will take place before a live, invitation-only audience at the DuSable Museum of African American History. In addition to watching the debate live, the Chicago Urban League and the Business Leadership Council encourage citizens to submit questions to the candidates for consideration. Two community questions will be selected and asked on-air during the debate. Community questions for the gubernatorial candidates can be submitted via email to debate2014@thechicagourbanleague.org.

CBS 2 Chicago will preempt their regular 6:00 pm newscast and Entertainment Tonight on Tuesday, October 14 to broadcast the full, one-hour gubernatorial debate. The broadcast will also stream online at CBSchicago.com.  In addition to the CBS 2 Chicago broadcast, the debate will be broadcast live on WVON 1690 AM.