ABC7 continues commitment to political debates in January 2010

In keeping with a longstanding commitment of bringing critical issues to Illinois voters via candidate debates, ABC7 will partner with the League of Women Voters and the Better Government Association to present six political debates in January 2010 prior to the February 2nd primary election. Members of the ABC7 News Team--Kathy Brock, Cheryl Burton, Alan Krashesky, Ron Magers and Charles Thomas--will serve as moderators of VOTE 2010: THE CANDIDATES DEBATE. There will be a panel of journalists asking key questions during several of the debates. Andy Shaw, executive director of the Better Government Association, is confirmed as one of the panelists. The commercial-free debates will air live on ABC 7's 7.2 Channel while also being streamed live on abc7chicago.com. They will also air on ABC 7's main channel. (*See debate schedule with dates and times below.) VOTE 2010: THE CANDIDATES DEBATE will take place at ABC7 Studios.

According to Emily Barr, President and General Manager, ABC 7, "For the past two decades, ABC 7 has continued the tradition of airing debates to help frame important issues for Illinois voters. However, 2010 marks an unprecedented effort for us in that we will produce and air, on multiple platforms, six different debates for the upcoming February 2nd Primary. We are grateful to our partners, the League of Women Voters and the Better Government Association, for participating in a process that offers the electorate a close-up look at the candidates and the issues."

VOTE 2010: THE CANDIDATES DEBATE SCHEDULE:

Thursday, January 7--COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT Democratic Candidates Debate. This half-hour program will air live on ABC 7.2 and will be streamed live on abc7chicago.com at 7:00 PM.

It will air on ABC7's main channel on Sunday, January 10 at 10:30 AM. ABC 7's Charles Thomas will moderate.

Tuesday, January 12--U.S. SENATE Democratic Candidates Debate. This hour-long debate will air live on ABC 7.2 and will be streamed live on abc7chicago.com at 7:00 PM.

It will air on ABC7's main channel on the same day at 11:05 PM. ABC 7's Kathy Brock will moderate.

Wednesday, January 13--GOVERNOR Republican Candidates Debate. This hour-long debate will air live on ABC 7.2 and will be streamed live on abc7chicago.com at 7:00 PM.

It will air on ABC 7's main channel on the same day at 11:05 PM. ABC 7's Cheryl Burton will moderate.

Thursday, January 14--U.S. SENATE Republican Candidates Debate. This hour-long debate will air live on ABC 7.2 and will be streamed live on abc7chicago.com at 7:00 PM.

It will air on ABC 7's main channel on the same day at 11:05 PM. ABC 7's Alan Krashesky will moderate.

VOTE 2010: THE CANDIDATES DEBATE

Tuesday, January 19--GOVERNOR Democratic Candidates Debate. This hour-long debate will air live on ABC 7.2 and will be streamed live on abc7chicago.com at 7:00 PM.

It will air on ABC 7's main channel on the same day at 11:05 PM. ABC7's Ron Magers will moderate.

Wednesday, January 20--COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT Republican Candidates Debate. This half-hour debate will air live on ABC 7.2 and will be streamed live on abc7chicago.com at 7:00 PM..

It will air on ABC7's main channel on Sunday, January 24 at 10:30 AM. ABC7's Charles Thomas will moderate.