Committed to Giving Back
Founded in 1879, the Union League Club of Chicago (ULCC) is the only private club in the United States that has an institutional commitment to public policy and community service. Its Public Affairs Committee (PAC) is at the forefront of the Club’s ongoing commitment to community and country. The PAC and its various subcommittees address a wide range of public policy issues, sponsor programs on current affairs with prominent speakers, and serve as the conduit for the Club’s involvement in civic affairs.
The PAC advances its work in many ways, including coalition building, supporting public information campaigns, sponsoring debates and forums, and testifying before legislative bodies on behalf of positions approved by the Board. In recognition of the Club’s record of public policy leadership and advocacy, in 2007 the Illinois League of Women Voters presented to the PAC and the ULCC its prestigious Civic Contribution Award – the first time this statewide award was ever given to an organization instead of an individual recipient.
Community. Country. Culture.
Supporting Our Nation's Armed Forces
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Union League Club of Chicago American Legion Post 758
Subcommittees Leading the Charge
The Union League Club of Chicago's Public Affairs Committee is made up of the following subcommittees:
Administration of Justice
The Administration of Justice Subcommittee focuses on criminal justice and judicial matters. Examples include programming examining gun violence and the Second Amendment, as well as work on juvenile justice reform and improvement of Illinois' parole system.
@65West
The @65West Subcommittee oversees @65West, the Club's popular civic and current affairs programs, offered as breakfast, lunch and the occasional evening event. Launched in 2005, these fora feature leading voices and expert panels analyzing and discussing a diverse array of policy issues.
Education
The Education Subcommittee examines a wide range of educational issues, including deficient State funding of K-12 public schools, early childhood and vocational education, the federal government's role in education, school shootings and resultant student protests and much more.
Gender Equality
The Subcommittee on Gender Equality addresses a broad range of issues related to gender in society, including discrimination and harassment in the workplace, employment and educational opportunities, disparities in compensation and career advancement and other matters related to ensuring equal rights and responsibilities to all regardless of gender.
Health and Life Sciences
The Health and Life Sciences Subcommittee sponsors public health forums on a variety of public health issues, including programs on preparedness measures against the threat of a Flu Pandemic, preventing obesity among children, addressing the problem of urban "food deserts," and the use of data and technology in health care.
Race Relations
The Subcommittee on Race Relations addresses the impact of race and racial disparity in the execution of public policy. In addition to forums on civil rights and criminal justice, the subcommittee also assists in developing the ULCC's annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration.
State & Local Government
The Subcommittee on State & Local Government focuses generally on matters concerning the operation of state and municipal government in Illinois. These issues include the ongoing dysfunction of and serious problems facing state and local governments, including the development of a state budget and public pension crisis affecting Illinois, Chicago and other municipalities.
Transportation
The Transportation Subcommittee reviews and monitors the activities of all modes of transportation within the metropolitan Chicago area. Additionally, the Subcommittee engages in "field trips" to better understand transportation modes and issues and meets regularly with representatives of key agencies involved in transportation policy.
