UIC Urban Forum

Did you attend this year's ? Take this quick survey to let us know about your experience! Your feedback will help inform the Forum for years to come.

Photos and videos from this year's event will be available in the coming weeks.

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2026 Urban Forum Attendee Feedback Form

⚡️Introducing our final Lightning Talk Speaker, Ana Maria Vasquez Gomez!

Ana currently serves as Associate Manager of School-Based Services at the Marjorie Kovler Center, Heartland Alliance International (HAI), where she leads and coordinates all school-based programs within Chicago Public Schools (CPS). In this role, she ensures the delivery of high-quality, trauma-informed care for immigrant and refugee youth and their families, including individual and group therapy, faculty training, caregiver psychoeducation and psychosocial support.

HAI's Marjorie Kovler Center (MKC), based in Chicago, is a nationally recognized treatment center for survivors of torture and severe trauma and their families. Serving individuals from more than 60 countries, MKC provides trauma-informed, culturally responsive mental health, medical, and social services. Through innovative, equity-driven approaches, HAI promotes human rights protections and gender equality across its global and U.S.-based programs.

Ana is also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of Illinois with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

🔗 Register for tomorrow's event: https://urbanforum.uic.edu/

We’re excited to introduce our next Lightning Talk Speaker, Liz DeChant!

Liz has spent more than 25 years as a trusted partner to businesses, communities, and local governments building stronger local economies across the U.S., with experience spanning from downtown revitalization in Beloit, WI to community development for underserved colonia communities on the Texas-Mexico border.

Currently, as Assistant Director of Economic Development for the Village of Schaumburg, she specializes in business retention and attraction, TIF district management, grant administration, and marketing. She works hand-in-hand with businesses and developers to drive growth across four TIF districts that have collectively generated over $400 million in new development for the village. In her prior role as Economic Development Coordinator for the Village of Winnetka, Liz attracted 50 new businesses and helped drop the commercial vacancy rate from 25% to 2%. Her earlier work at the North River Commission in Chicago's Albany Park community secured over $200 million in public and private investment and earned national recognition as a finalist for the State Farm/LISC Spirit of Revitalization Award.

Liz holds an MPA from CUPPA at UIC and is a candidate for IEDC’s Certified Economic Developer designation. She is passionate about creating vibrant, resilient local economies where businesses and communities grow together.

🔗Register now! https://urbanforum.uic.edu/

⚡️Meet one of the 2026 UIC Urban Forum Lightning Talk Speakers: Joe van Dyk!

As the South Suburban Land Bank & Development Authority Executive Director, Joe leads the south suburban land bank's operations and strategic planning. He has over a decade's experience in public service with expertise in planning, redevelopment, public policy, and economic development.

Before joining the South Suburban Land Bank & Development Authority, Joe worked as a public policy advisor in the Pacific Northwest with a focus on housing and homelessness. Prior to that, he spent eight years in Gary, Indiana as Executive Director of the Gary Redevelopment Commission, Director of Planning, and as a senior advisor to the Mayor. Joe has also served as an at-large board member on the Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority and as the inaugural Chair of the Land County (IN) Land Bank Authority.

He holds a graduate degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago and an undergraduate degree from Fordham University.

🔗Register and join us at the UIC Urban Forum! https://urbanforum.uic.edu/ 🏙️

We’re excited to introduce Rene Levya, a featured panelist at the UIC Urban Forum!

As Executive Director of the Fossil Ridge Public Library District, he works to remove barriers to library resources for both residents and non-residents. His work centers on strengthening the library profession, supporting library workers, and ensuring libraries remain essential pillars of public service and civic life. He has actively advocated for expanding continuing education opportunities across library systems, helping create more equitable pathways for professional growth and long-term success in the field.

He previously served on the Board of Directors for Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS), representing over 1,200 libraries in northern and west-central Illinois, where he also held the role of President. He is now the Vice President/President-Elect of the Illinois Library Association, an organization that supports nearly 2,000 individual members and more than 500 institutional members throughout Illinois.

As a first-generation college graduate, Rene earned his MLIS degree from Dominican University. Rene is an advocate for lifelong learning, a strong supporter of intellectual freedom, and dedicated to promoting equitable access to library services throughout Illinois.

🔗Register and join us at the UIC Urban Forum! https://urbanforum.uic.edu/ 🏙️

Introducing Clarisol Duque, a featured panelist at the UIC Urban Forum! 🏙️

As State Director for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Clarisol leads all aspects of the Senator’s Illinois operations, working across critical issues including healthcare, education, environmental justice, violence prevention, and immigration. Her work is rooted in collaboration—partnering with community organizations, advocacy groups, and leaders at every level of government to serve communities across the state.

Clarisol also led the launch of the Chicago HEAL Initiative, a groundbreaking collaboration with major hospitals to reduce violence and improve community health by addressing root causes through economic opportunity, engagement, and clinical strategies.

A longtime advocate, she has dedicated much of her career to advancing the Dream Act and supporting immigrant communities. 🌎 In addition to her professional work, she serves on the boards of the Big Shoulders Fund and the Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership Training Academy, helping expand educational access and support women in public leadership.

A proud Chicago native and UIC graduate, Clarisol brings deep experience and a strong commitment to building stronger, more equitable communities.

🔗 Registration for the 2026 UIC Urban Forum is now open. Reserve your spot: https://urbanforum.uic.edu/

Introducing Kevin Jackson, a featured panelist at the UIC Urban Forum!

With a career in local government spanning more than 28 years and several states, Kevin’s commitment to improving his communities is clear. His long resume includes a combination of general administration and community development experience, facilitating successful community, interagency and public-private partnerships and innovations in everything from affordable housing and youth development to water quality and transportation initiatives.

Kevin holds a Master of Public Administration and bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology from Arizona State University, and he maintains memberships with the ICMA and NFBPA.

The UIC Urban Forum, hosted by the University of Illinois Chicago’s College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, brings together scholars, policymakers, and leaders to explore innovative solutions shaping the future of urban communities. With roots dating back to 1995, the Forum continues to serve as a vital platform for advancing dialogue that impacts cities worldwide.

🔗Register now! https://urbanforum.uic.edu/

Introducing Deanna Shoss, one of this year’s UIC Urban Forum panel moderators!

Deanna Shoss has served as the Director of Communications and Outreach for the City of Chicago Office of Inspector General since November 2022.

Deanna joined the OIG with tremendous experience in media, communications, and community engagement across the public, private, and not-for-profit arenas. Previously, Deanna founded a digital, intercultural, and real-life marketing agency, Intercultural Talk, Inc.
Her experiences during her eleven years in City government includes leading as the President of the League of Chicago Theatres, leading Public Relations for McDonald’s Owner/Operators of Eastern New England, and directing marketing and communications for Jewish Child & Family Services and JVS Chicago.

She holds a BA in comparative literature from Indiana University-Bloomington, an MA in integrated professional studies (anthropology/marketing) from DePaul University, and is an AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor.

🔗 Registration for the 2026 UIC Urban Forum is now open. Reserve your spot: https://urbanforum.uic.edu/

Introducing Dr. Kate Albrecht, one of this year’s UIC Urban Forum panel moderators!

Dr. Kate Albrecht is an Assistant Professor of Public Policy, Management & Analytics at UIC who specializes in network analysis, collaborative governance, and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding complex social systems. Her research explores critical areas, including collaborative interactions between government and nonprofit organizations for community health, network evolution methodologies to understand policy challenges, and innovative strategies to improve access and equity in public service delivery.

She has produced significant translational research through her engagement with UIC’s Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement and the Government Finance Research Center in CUPPA.

Don’t miss your chance to hear her speak at the 2026 UIC Urban Forum! 🔗 Sign up today: https://urbanforum.uic.edu/

🎤Meet one of the 2026 UIC Urban Forum Panelists: Drew Williams-Clark!

Drew Williams-Clark is the Director of Build Up Cook in the Bureau of Asset Management at Cook County (Illinois). Build Up Cook builds municipal capacity to address capital and infrastructure needs through technical assistance providing project management, asset management, fundraising, engineering and construction support.

Drew has varied experience in urban planning and green infrastructure. He has held leadership positions at the Metropolitan Planning Council, Center for Green Technology, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and Village of Oak Park.

🔗 Registration for the 2026 UIC Urban Forum is now open. Reserve your spot: https://urbanforum.uic.edu/