Chicago Tribune Launches Newsroom Events Program With 'Chicago Forward' Series

CHICAGO, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago Tribune on Sept. 14 launches a new series of community discussions called "Chicago Forward: Conversations About the Future."

The four-part series anchors a new Chicago Tribune newsroom events program to explore issues of great importance to Chicago region and connect citizens with newsmakers and Tribune journalists. The first "Chicago Forward" event will focus on the future of education in Illinois.

"We are excited about reaching out to the community in a new way," said Tribune Editor Gerould W. Kern. "We consider our events program as a new platform for our journalism, joining print, online, mobile, radio and television as a way to engage, inform and entertain our readers."

PNC Bank is the presenting sponsor of the "Chicago Forward" series.

The Sept. 14 forum begins at 6 p.m. in Thorne Auditorium at Northwestern University Law School, 375 E. Chicago Ave.

Tribune Editorial Page Editor Bruce Dold will moderate a panel including: Ron Huberman, chief executive officer of the Chicago Public Schools; Karen Lewis, president of the Chicago Teachers Union; Sister Mary McCaughey, superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago; Sen. James Meeks, chairman of the Illinois Senate Education Committee; and Harriet Meyer, president of the Ounce of Prevention Fund.

Audience members will ask questions and have an opportunity to meet the panelists at a reception following the event. Additional "Chicago Forward" events will assess the region's economy (Nov. 17), its health-care system (Jan. 18) and the state of charitable giving (March 15). All events begin at 6 p.m. in Thorne and are followed by receptions.

Tickets for all of the events cost $10 and are available at chicagotribune.com/tribnation. Media who wish to cover this or future events should contact Sheila Solomon, at [email protected] or 312-222-3417.

In addition to Chicago Forward, Tribune events will include programs by columnists and personalities; literary events; a series of classes and seminars titled "TribU: Lessons for Life;" and Chicago Live!, a weekly stage show that the Tribune will debut in partnership with Chicago's legendary The Second City starting Oct. 14.

About the Chicago Tribune

For 163 years, the Chicago Tribune has been a market-leading newspaper publication of Tribune Co. Reaching 3 million readers each week in the greater Chicago area, the publication is known for award-winning journalism. The Tribune's news focus is centered on watchdog coverage, the Chicago experience, community issues and government, the local economy and business as well as entertainment, culture and sports.

SOURCE Chicago Tribune