IWA’s approach to fostering community economic development has been to support university community economic development units who have experience in capacity building and technical assistance for local community development corporations. This panel will include university and Community Development Corporation leaders involved in this effort. They will describe their approaches and address what lessons they have learned.

• Dr. Nik Theodore, Director of Center for Urban Economic Development, UIC (moderator)
• Paul Adams, Director, Prairienet, Acting Director of Neighborhood Technical Assistance Center, UIUC
• Steeve Kidd, Executive Director, Agency Metropolitan Program Services
• Kimary Lee, Senior Program Coordinator, Center for Urban Economic Development, UIC
• Dr. Ray Lenzi, Director, Dunn Richmond Center, SIUC
• Ed Ollarvia, Executive Director, NEVCorp

This panel addresses the strategies, benefits, and challenges of focusing state agency strategic planning and outcome measurement on specified communities (in addition to the normal focus on statewide outcomes). The new community indicators in the Bureau of the Budget’s PB Views will be presented.

• Terence Mitchell (moderator), Assistant Director of IWA
• Ed Harmeyer, Division Chief, Performance Management, Bureau of the Budget
• Dr. Bob Goerge, Research Fellow, Chapin Hall Center for Children, University of Chicago
• Jim Dimas, Senior Associate, Casey Strategic Consulting, Annie E. Casey Foundation
• Joe Mason, Manager, Community Outreach Child Support Enforcement Program, Healthcare and Family Services - Formerly known as Public Aid, Dept
• Myrel Simmons, Manager of Planning and Assessment, Office of Policy Development, Planning, and Research, Department of Commerce and Community Affairs

Community leaders will describe their approaches to creating centers and networks that link multiple services, engage parents in productive roles in helping youth, and give individuals greater access to employment opportunities.

• Dr. Lela Bridges, Superintendent, Harvey Public Schools District #152 (moderator)
• Malik Ahmed, C.E.O./ President, Better Family Life, Inc.
• Karen Eisenbart, Director of Grants, Staff Development, Assessment, and Evaluation, Maywood School District 89
• Jesus Garcia, Executive Director, Little Village Community Development Corporation
• Jerry Jones, Director, Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center
• Eliud Medina, Executive Director, Near Northwest Neighborhood Network