White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett was in Chicago for a discussion hosted by World Business Chicago, at the Gleacher Center of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business Feb. 10.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduced Jarrett, joking about this being a great place for a presidential library.
Julia Stasch, Vice President for U.S. Programs, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, lead the questioning of Jarrett. A wide range of topics was discussed, including jobs growth, the Affordable Care Act, prison reform and equal pay for women.
The crowd of about 250 people included prominent business, political, academic, media and non-profit leaders. Among those in attendance were Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Ald. Tom Tunney and Charles Middleton, president of Roosevelt University. Former Ald. Helen Shiller was also there.
The program was meant to dovetail off President Obama's State of the Union Address, to make this a "Year of Action" and Creating Opportunities for All. The title of the talk was "Strong Cities, Strong Nation."
Little more than a week after President Obama's State of the Union address, where he outlined the administration's plan to make 2014 a "year of action" by ensuring opportunity for all Americans and boosting our economy , White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett will appear in Chicago to talk with nearly 250 corporate and civic leaders about the role of Chicago and other cities in realizing these goals.
Videos below by Tracy Baim.