Chicago’s Fiscal Future: Growth or Insolvency?

Links to each presentation can be found within the forum's agenda below:

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7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. — Registration and Continental Breakfast
Badge Pickup and Security Inspection in the Lobby

8:00 a.m. — Welcome
Kent Swanson, Civic Federation Chairman, Executive Vice President, Riverside
Investment and Development

8:05 a.m. — Balance Sheet Measures of Fiscal Capacity
William Testa, Vice President, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Realty-based Indicators of Chicago’s Balance Sheet

8:50 a.m. — Break

9:00 a.m. — Session I – Lessons Learned from Recent Municipal Bankruptcies
The idea that the City of Chicago or Chicago Public Schools might be heading into bankruptcy has been discussed extensively in the media over the last few years. However, there are many differences between the experience of a personal or corporate bankruptcy and a reorganization conducted under Chapter 9 of the bankruptcy code. Panelists will discuss the impact of bankruptcy proceedings on the cost of providing government services and quality of life in a community and strategies states around the nation have implemented to try to help municipalities avoid bankruptcy.

Moderator: James Spiotto, Managing Director, Chapman Strategic Advisors LLC
                     
Dealing with and Overcoming Fiscal Distress
Panelists

10:30 a.m. — Break

10:45 a.m. — Session II – City of the Big Brains? Chicago’s Future Economic Growth
Twentieth century Chicago was “Hog Butcher for the World” and then an industrial powerhouse. In the 21st century, Chicago has so far avoided the worst of post-industrial decline with a diverse economy and strong cultural resources. If Chicago can move beyond the current financial crisis, what sectors will propel economic growth and a population renaissance? Representatives from the financial and tech sectors will discuss why their areas are thriving, what could make them grow stronger and what could stand in their way. A site selection consultant will discuss what still makes Chicago appealing to corporate headquarters and their employees.

Moderator: David Snyder, Former Publisher of Crain’s Chicago Business 
                     Chicago’s Future Economic Growth
Panelists:

12:15 p.m. — Break

12:20 p.m. — Luncheon

Keynote Panel: The Future of Corporate Investment in Chicago
Moderator: Robert Reed, Columnist, Chicago Tribune

Panelists:

  • David Reifman, Commissioner, Department of Planning and Development, City of Chicago
  • Jennifer Rodriguez, Director of Real Estate, Motorola Solutions
  • Kent Swanson, Civic Federation Chairman, Executive Vice President, Riverside
    Investment and Development

1:30 p.m. — Adjournment
Laurence Msall, President, Civic Federation.

To see pictures and a summary of the conference please, click here.

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