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Press Release
McCORMICK FREEDOM MUSEUM HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE TO PROMOTE
CIVIC EDUCATION REFORM IN ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOLS
“The philosophy of the classroom today will be the philosophy of government
tomorrow.”
-Abraham Lincoln
Contact: Abby Taylor
ATaylor@McCormickTribune.org
312 222 3188
Chicago, May 21, 2009
The McCormick Freedom Museum, in partnership with the
Illinois Civic Mission Coalition, will host a press conference to launch a civic blueprint entitled,
Educating for Democracy. The purpose of the civic blueprint is to articulate innovative ways for
high schools to return civic education to a central place in the classroom. The press
conference will be held on Wednesday, May 27 at 11 am in the Illinois State Capitol Rotunda.
The climate for reform couldn’t be more promising. With President Obama’s historic
inauguration and the unprecedented involvement of young people in the recent election, this is
the perfect time to capitalize on this excitement and channel this interest into a lifelong
commitment of civic engagement.
Speakers at the press conference include:
• Governor Pat Quinn (invited)
• Senator Randall M. Hultgren
• Representative William Davis
• Cynthia Canary, Illinois Campaign for Political Reform and Mikva Challenge
Board President
“The McCormick Freedom Museum’s mission is to demonstrate the relevance of the First
Amendment and the role it plays in the ongoing struggle to define freedom,” said Shawn Healy,
managing director, McCormick Freedom Museum. “Reincorporating civics into the curricula of
our secondary schools is vital to advancing our mission and sustaining democracy in Illinois
and beyond.”
Thanks to the help of dedicated public officials, and organizations like the Illinois Civic Mission
Coalition, our state already has five schools that have been recognized as Democracy Schools.
These schools are expanding their civic learning opportunities for their students using an
integrated curriculum approach.
“Illinois has several outstanding examples of high schools committed to their civic mission, said
Carolyn Pereira, chair, Illinois Civic Mission Coalition and executive director, Constitutional
Rights Foundation Chicago. “In addition to enhanced civic instruction in the classroom, these
schools are providing hands-on learning experiences that engage students directly in activities
such as, service learning and simulations of the democratic process. Our goal, along with the
Freedom Museum, is to increase the number of Democracy Schools in Illinois, by working with
key stakeholders to create policies to ensure all Illinois high schools will become Democracy
Schools.”
For more information about the Democracy School initiative visit
FreedomMuseum.US/DemocracySchools.
About the McCormick Freedom Museum
The McCormick Freedom Museum inspires generations to understand, value and protect
freedom. Through extensive outreach initiatives citizens gain a greater understanding of the
struggle for freedom in the United States and the role the First Amendment plays in society.
The McCormick Freedom Museum is part of the McCormick Foundation, which also includes
the Robert R. McCormick Museum, Cantigny Park and Golf, the Cantigny First Division
Foundation and five grant making programs. To learn more about the Freedom Museum’s new
outreach program visit FreedomMuseum.US. A focus on children, communities and country
unites the Foundation and its many parts and keeps us true to our mission of advancing the
ideals of a free and democratic society. To learn more visit
McCormickFoundation.org.
About the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition
The Illinois Civic Mission Coalition is a broad, non-partisan consortium including educators,
administrators, students, universities, funders, elected officials, policymakers, and
representatives from the private and non-profit sectors. Formed in 2004, its purpose is to create
consensus among civic education advocates across Illinois relative to achievable goals, the
means of attaining them, and the underlying rationale for the restoration of the civic mission of
high schools statewide. To learn more visit
crfc.org/programs/civicmission.php.
For more information about this conference, log onto
www.FreedomMuseum.US or the McCormick Foundation at
www.McCormickFoundation.org.
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