City of Chicago Budget: 2016 and Beyond
Moderated by Laurence Msall
Featuring Tom Corfman, Hal Dardick, Paris Schutz, and Fran Spielman
Monday, Nov 30, 2015
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Speakers
Tom Corfman
Tom Corfman plays a key role in Crain’s Chicago Business’ coverage of government and politics, bringing strong journalistic skills and a wide range of experience to one of the most competitive news beats in the city. He rejoined the publication in 2006, after six years at the Chicago Tribune, where he covered commercial real estate. At Crain’s, Corfman helped start Chicago Real Estate Daily, a news service dedicated to the real estate market. He was promoted to assistant managing editor in December 2010, when his focused shifted to Crain’s health care coverage. Two years later, he moved over to politics. Corfman also has a master's in literature from Vanderbilt University, a master’s degree in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, and a bachelor's from Northeastern Illinois University. Born in Michigan City, Ind., he grew up on the North Side of Chicago. He lives in the Uptown neighborhood. He is married to a Carol A. Brook, the executive director of the public defender program in federal court in Chicago. They have twin 24-year-old sons.
Hal Dardick
Hal Dardick has covered politics, government, budgets and taxes at Chicago City Hall and the Cook County Building for the Chicago Tribune since 2008. He got his start as a reporter in Chicago’s west suburbs in 1986, doing stints as a government, courts and crime reporter, small wire service chief, political columnist and freelance reporter before joining the Tribune full time in 2004. A former collegiate gymnast, he likes progressive rock, real jazz, good food and fine wine — and thinks politics is the great American sport.
Paris Schutz
Paris Schutz is Chicago Tonight’s political correspondent. He is a three-time winner of the Peter Lisagor Award as Chicago's “Best Television Reporter,” given by the nation’s largest chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Schutz began his career at WTTW as an intern after graduating Magna Cum Laude from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. In addition, Schutz is a pianist, singer and songwriter. Along with Chicago Symphony Orchestra trumpet player John Hagstrom, Schutz composed and performed Chicago Tonight’s theme music. Schutz also created, co-wrote, co-produced and wrote the theme music for “IL-Informed,” a political satire special that aired on WTTW. He is a three-time Emmy nominee and an alumnus of St. Ignatius College Prep on the near south side.
Fran Spielman
Fran Spielman has been covering Chicago mayors and city government since Richard J. Daley. Her City Hall beats have included Mayors Michael Bilandic, Jane Byrne, Harold Washington, Eugene Sawyer, Richard M. Daley and Rahm Emanuel. Spielman joined the Sun-Times in 1985 after ten years at Chicago radio station WIND. When owner Westinghouse Broadcasting sold the station, she saw the opportunity to pursue her primary journalistic goal to work for a major newspaper.
Laurence Msall
Laurence Msall is the President of the Civic Federation, a nonpartisan government research organization. Before joining in 2002, Msall was the Senior Advisor for Economic Development and Infrastructure for Illinois Governor George H. Ryan and worked on issues related to business climate, tax and transportation policy. Before joining the Governor’s staff in 1999, Msall served as the Vice President of the Commercial Club of Chicago, as well as Secretary to the Commercial Club Foundation and Vice President of the Civic Committee. Prior to joining the Commercial Club staff in 1990, Msall served as Assistant to the Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs with primary responsibility for policy development. From 1984-1988, Laurence Msall represented the Department and Governor Jim Thompson’s office on economic development and business issues before the Illinois General Assembly, serving as DCCA’s chief legislative liaison. Laurence Msall is a licensed attorney and 1992 graduate of Loyola University School of Law, Evening Division. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Knox College and is a graduate of Saint Ignatius College Preparatory High School. Msall is a member of the Woods Fund Board of Directors, Oak Park River Forest High School Scholarship Foundation, Illinois Issues Magazine, Chicago’s Civic Consulting Alliance, the Advisory Board of the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs and the St. Giles Appalachia Service Project.
