Join the NIU College of Law for the next Race and the Law Conversation on “Cannabis and Restorative Justice” on Tuesday, November 16 at 6:00 p.m. with alumna Toi W. Hutchinson (’14), Senior Advisor to Governor Pritzker on Cannabis Control. NIU Law Professor Wendy Vaughn will moderate.
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. CST
Register Now for this virtual Event via Zoom
About this Event
The NIU College of Law Race and the Law Conversations series provide a platform with expert panelists who will engage in much needed conversations on a wide range of racial and social justice issues including, but limited to, racial inequality, police brutality, and mass incarceration. Our inaugural Conversation on police accountability and reform in August 2020 was presented by Professor Sharon Fairley, ACLU Policing Policy Advisor Paige Fernandez, and NIU Law Professor Paul Cain moderated the discussion. Our second Conversation, “Combating Structural Racism in U.S. Elections” in October 2020 was led by Stanford Law Professor Pamela S. Karlan, one of the nation’s leading experts on voting rights and moderated by NIU Law Professor Jeffrey Omari. Our third conversation on Environmental Justice was held in March 2021 and led by University of Maryland Law Professor Seema Kakade and Northwestern Law Professor Nancy Loeb. Our most recent conversation in August 2021 was led by U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, “Examining the Case for Reparations.”
-SPEAKER-
Toi W. Hutchinson
Senior Advisor to Governor Pritzker on Cannabis Control
Chicago, IL
In September 2019, Hutchinson became the senior advisor to the Governor on cannabis control. She was appointed by Gov. Pritzker for this position where she has been overseeing the roll out of the new program and coordinating the efforts of several state agencies.
Prior to current role, Hutchinson served as an Illinois Senator since 2009 where she earned a reputation as a highly effective and well-regarded public servant with a strong commitment to the residents of the 40th District. During her tenure, she placed a high importance on working to modernize Illinois’ antiquated tax structure, protecting women and children from violence and exploitation and supporting construction projects that create jobs while also maintaining Illinois’ position as an international transportation hub. She served on numerous committees including as chairwoman of the Senate Revenue Committee. In addition, Hutchinson served as president of the National Conference of State Legislatures, a bipartisan organization that serves the nation’s 7,383 state lawmakers and more than 20,000 legislative staff throughout the country.
Hutchinson, a 2014 graduate of the NIU College of Law, was named one of the 50 most powerful women in Chicago by Chicago Magazine. She was also honored on February 12, 2020 by the NIU College of Law with the Excellence in Service and Leadership Award during its 17th Annual Minority Reception.
