Leadership, Honesty, and Real Solutions: A Night of Conversation About Chicago’s Future
Leading a Better Chicago is gaining real momentum in our mission to restore accountability, transparency, and disciplined action in city leadership.
Last week, more than eighty Chicagoans filled the room at Erie Café for our panel discussion, “An Honest Conversation About ICE, Local Law Enforcement, and City Government: What Can Chicago Do?”
The energy in the room was electric. Civic leaders, business professionals, attorneys, and residents came together to hear an expert panel featuring:
- Major General Richard Hayes (Ret.), former Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard,
- Chief Ken Corey (Ret.), former Chief of Department of the NYPD, and
- Chief Brendan Deenihan (Ret.), former Chief of Detectives for the Chicago Police Department.
The conversation, moderated by Leading a Better Chicago founder Bill Quinlan, was candid, timely, and deeply insightful. Against the backdrop of ongoing debates about public safety, federal partnerships, and accountability in Chicago, our panelists provided perspective grounded in decades of experience.
They discussed what’s working—and what isn’t—when it comes to federal and local coordination, policing strategy, and city leadership. The takeaway was clear: Chicago needs leadership that unites expertise, integrity, and action.
Bill, drawing from his years of legal and civic experience, reminded the audience that effective leadership starts with honesty, collaboration, and sound judgment. In a moment when our city is under strain, his ability to convene seasoned experts and facilitate real conversation sets Leading a Better Chicago apart as a trusted voice advocating for leadership that is stable and forward-thinking.
The discussion underscored why Leading a Better Chicago exists: to bridge the gap between data and action, and to give Chicagoans a civic home rooted in accountability, fiscal responsibility, and practical solutions.
Next: Exclusive Donor Poll Briefing
If you couldn’t join us last week, there are more opportunities ahead.
On Tuesday, October 28 at 12:00 PM CT, we’ll be holding a virtual poll briefing for donors featuring Fred Yang of Hart Research, who will share insights from our exclusive polling recently featured in the Chicago Tribune. These results shed light on how Chicagoans view safety, leadership, and the path forward for the city.
This donor briefing will offer an inside look at the data shaping our next steps—and how your support makes it possible.
Be Part of the Conversation
Leading a Better Chicago is building a movement centered on truth, trust, and tangible change.
Join us as we keep pushing for honest leadership and practical solutions in Chicago.