Chicago Metropolis 2020 - Issue Experts

Due to the depth and breadth of their experiences and training, Chicago Metropolis 2020 staff are knowledgeable about a wide variety of topics and areas. The individuals below are "issue experts" in the listed areas. They would be available to serve as resources to members of the media. For more information or to contact one of these individuals regarding those areas in which they are expert, e-mail links are provided below.

For reporters on deadline, you are encouraged to contact Tracey B. Fleming at 312-332-8131 or 312-218-7232.

Frank Beal Executive Director	A planner by training, Frank has served two Illinois governors' as well as held senior executive positions with one of the country's largest steel companies. Click here to read Frank's full bio.	Expert Areas: Regionalism (National and Local), Environmental Policy, Land-Use Planning, Transportation Planning.
Nancy Firfer Senior Advisor	Nancy joined Chicago Metropolis 2020 after 24 years as an elected official in several capacities, most notably Mayor of the Village of Glenview for the past eight years. Nancy works on issues of affordable workforce housing and serves as Chicago Metropolis 2020’s liaison to municipal leaders in the Chicago region. Click here to read Nancy’s full bio.	Expert Areas: Affordable Workforce Housing, Municipal Government.
King Harris Senior Executive	King "retired" from running a multi-billion dollar conglomerate to address his personal desire to see a Chicago region with affordable and accessible housing for all of its residents. Find out more about King by clicking here.	Expert Areas: Affordable Workforce Housing, Land-Use Policy, Charitable Giving.
James C. LaBelle Vice President	Jim is Vice President of Chicago Metropolis 2020, focusing issues of transportation, (with a particular emphasis on freight), and land use policy. Jim also plays a key role in our interactions and relations with elected officials across the Chicago region and State having served for 20 years as an elected member of the Lake County Board, including three terms as Chairman. Jim has also served as an assistant to then-Governor Thompson and Director of the DuPage Mayors and Managers Association. Click here to read more about Jim	Expert Areas: Illinois Counties, Land Use and Transportation Policy, Regionalism.
George A. Ranney, Jr. President and CEO	An attorney, real-estate developer, and volunteer non-profit organization CEO, George has been involved in and concerned with the future of the Chicago region for over thirty years. Click here to read George’s full bio.	Expert Areas: Regional Transportation Policy, regional land use policy, regional transportation agencies, and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA).
Adele Simmons Vice Chair and Senior Executive	Adele Simmons was the first "Senior Executive" to join Chicago Metropolis 2020. A former University President and head of one of the largest foundations in the United States, Adele joined Chicago Metropolis 2020 after 10 years as president of the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Click here to read Adele's full bio.	Expert Areas: Early Childhood Care and Education, Charitable Giving, Regionalism.
Carol Sonnenschein Director of Information Technology	Carol is a recognized expert on Geographic Information System (GIS) development and utilization. A Ph.D. recipient from Loyola University of Chicago, Carol is a sociologist by training, and works on the development of an arsenal of tools to increase public understanding and interest of the Chicago region as a construct for public policy development.	Expert Areas: Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Sociology, regional statistics, ArcView, CommunityViz , Computer Games.
Paula Wolff Senior Executive	Paula has served as both director of policy for Illinois longest-serving Governor, as well as as the President of one of its largest and most complex public universities. She also makes a mean cherry pie. Click here to read Paula’s full bio.	Expert Areas: Justice and Violence, Public Policy in Illinois, State Budget Policy.