The 2016 Regional Coordinating Committee of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC) joined Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and Chicago 2016 Chairman and CEO Patrick G. Ryan today to come up with ideas for how communities in the metropolitan area can play an active and important role in bringing the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games to Chicago. Palos Hills Mayor Gerald R. Bennett and Kane County Chairman Karen McConnaughay were also named co-chairs of the committee.
"The Olympic Games presents the Midwest region with a unique opportunity to generate international good will, create new businesses and jobs and attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to our region," said Batavia Mayor Jeffery D. Schielke, Executive Board Chair, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.
After an update on Chicago’s 2016 Application, committee members identified key ways the region could help support the bid such as assisting with athletic facilities, housing, hotels and volunteer outreach. Regional integration efforts relating to public safety and transportation were also discussed.
"This is not just Chicago’s bid. It’s not just our region’s bid. It’s our nation’s opportunity to reach out to the world," said Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, MMC Founding Chair and Chicago 2016 Honorary Chair. "We want and need the support and enthusiasm of all the communities in the metropolitan area to help us achieve our goals and to bring the Olympics back to the United States."
<!--[endif]-->Members of the 2016 Regional Coordinating Committee also pledged to serve as ambassadors for the bid in their respective communities and bring a regional perspective to the table as Chicago moves forward in the bid process.
"Today's meeting with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus is extremely important to the success of the Chicago's Olympic bid," said Chicago 2016 Chairman and CEO Patrick G. Ryan. "The support of the regional Mayors is a critical factor in helping us achieve our dream of hosting the 2016 games."
The 2016 Regional Coordinating Committee was formed in November 2007 to be operated in partnership with the Chicago 2016 bid committee to support Chicago’s efforts to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games to the region.
The committee consists of one representative from each of the nine Councils of Government and each of the six county boards in the metropolitan region. Members include:
- Mayor Gerald R. Bennett, City of Palos Hills; 2016 Regional Coordinating Committee Co-chair
- Mayor Kevin R. Burns, City of Geneva
- President Joseph Cook, Village of Channahon
- President James Discipio, Village of LaGrange Park
- Board Member John Jung, Jr., McHenry County
- Mayor Kristina Kovarik, Village of Gurnee
- President Al Larson, Village of Schaumburg
- Mayor Thomas D. Marcucci, City of Elmhurst
- Doug Maxeiner, City Manager, City of McHenry
- Chairman Karen McConnaughay, Kane County; 2016 Regional Coordinating Committee Co-chair
- Edward Paesel, Executive Director, South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association
- Chairman Robert J. Schillerstrom, DuPage County
- Board Member David Stolman, Lake County
- Lance Tyson, Chief of Staff, Office of the President, Cook County
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