Newton Minow

Established in 1980, Access Living is a change agent committed to fostering an inclusive society that enables Chicagoans with disabilities to live fully-engaged and self-directed lives. Nationally recognized as a leading force in the disability advocacy community, Access Living challenges stereotypes, protects civil rights and champions social reform. Their staff and volunteers combine knowledge and personal experience to deliver programs and services that equip people with disabilities to advocate for themselves. Access Living is at the forefront of the disability rights movement, removing barriers so people with disabilities can live the future they envision. The services Access Living offers are changing not only how society views the disability community, but how people with disabilities view themselves. From peer-based support groups, to independent living training, helping people with disabilities take charge of their lives speaks to the passion and dedication Access Living has for service, advocacy, and social change. The foundation for change occurs as people with disabilities forge bonds with one another and recognize a social responsibility to give back to their communities. Ownership of achievements brings a voice to their concerns that is heard loud and clear, so collective action around civil rights issues remains imminent. Developing future leaders is Accessing Living’s strength and ensuring the disabled community is visible is why they are victorious. Access Living’s accomplishments have helped change the world.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) was founded by Theodore Thomas in 1891. The ensemble makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival. The music director is Riccardo Muti, who began his tenure in 2010. The CSO is one of five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five".

The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND focuses on the issues that matter most such as health, education, national security, international affairs, law and business, the environment, and more. With a research staff consisting of some of the world's preeminent minds, RAND has been expanding the boundaries of human knowledge for more than 60 years. As a nonpartisan organization, RAND is widely respected for operating independent of political and commercial pressures. See History and Mission. RAND's tradition of problem-solving continues to this day. Much of this research is carried out on behalf of public and private grantors and clients. Philanthropic dollars help support RAND's Investment in People and Ideas program, our vehicle for funding research inquiries into critical but often underappreciated policy areas and attracting the world's top talent to focus on these challenges. All RAND work—every publication, database, or major briefing—is held to rigorous and sometimes painstaking review processes. Such exacting standards are the foundation of RAND's impeccable reputation throughout the world. See Standards for High Quality Research and Analysis and RAND's Institutional Principles. RAND improves policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. At times, grantors or clients may ask RAND to deliver research without suggesting a specific course of action. At other times, RAND may provide a range of solutions with an analysis of advantages and disadvantages. On certain occasions, RAND may formulate or even support clear-cut policy recommendations. What remains constant is RAND's commitment to public service by communicating its findings to a wide audience. This is accomplished in many ways. They include announcements to media, testimony by experts at RAND (often to the U.S. Congress), and publications, many of which are available free on this Web site. See Newsroom, Congressional Resources, and Reports and Bookstore. RAND in the 21st century continues to address difficult challenges throughout the world. In many ways, RAND's future reflects its past: anticipating emerging issues; establishing new angles of inquiry; and mapping the territory for responses by government, business, and society. Commitment to these high standards will continue to define RAND's work in the years to come.

Representative from Massachusetts's 4th Congressional District

Representative from Illinois's 11th Congressional District

Government Affairs at Pax Labs, Inc.