Dear Friends,
We are excited to invite you to a TURN Gathering on October 23-24, 2026 in the Chicago area. We hope that many of our friends and colleagues who have attended and participated in past national TURN meetings as well as new leaders and colleagues will be able to join us for this weekend gathering. We are planning several activities over the two days that will provide opportunities for social gatherings as well as conversations focused opportunities to advocate for and support public education in this current political climate.
On Saturday, October 24, we plan to gather at the Illinois Federation of Teachers, Robert M. Healey Center at 500 Oakmont Lane, Westmont, IL from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Richard Kahlenberg, an education and housing policy researcher, writer, consultant and speaker, will join our TURN conversation on Saturday morning.The Washingtonian recently identified him among the most influential leaders in shaping education policy reforms. He is Director of the American Identity Project and Housing Policy at the Progressive Policy Institute. Richard has written extensively on teachers’ unions and labor organizing. He is author of Tough Liberal: Albert Shanker and the Battles Over Schools, Unions, Race and Democracy.
The focus of his discussion at TURN will be the American Identity Project --- how to teach students what it means to be an American.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS:
A Courtesy Room Block at the Hilton Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort and Conference Center at 3500 Midwest Road, Oak Brook, IL 60523 has been made for TURN guests for Friday Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct 24 at rate of $183.95 plus 11% tax. To access this special rate, we must make room reservations before September 25, 2026. The link for hotel reservations is provided here.https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/chibhhh-turnrb-922af310-b07d-479b-a9e3-ad51942064f/ This hotel is located approximately 15-20 miles from O’Hara International Airport and Midway Airport.
TURN REGISTRATION: $65 per person
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: October 12, 2026
For more information, log onto www.turnweb.org or contact Mary McDonald at marymmcd323@gmail.com or Francine Lawrence at francinemlawrence@gmail.com
We hope to see you on October 23-24, 2026 in Westmont, IL.