On Nov. 19, two of the honorary chairs of the NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders), Governor Martin O’Malley and Governor Jack Markell, announced the finalists of the group’s New Ideas Challenge. State Senator Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) was chosen from a competitive field as a finalist for his policy solution, the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program. The program would give Illinois workers without retirement accounts the opportunity to start saving through their employers.
Senator Biss is a member of the NewDEAL — a national network of pro-growth progressive state and local elected officials working to expand opportunity in the changing economy. The first ever New Ideas Challenge gives recognition to smart, pro-growth progressive solutions that are being developed and tested by state and local leaders across the country. At a time of national gridlock, this network of leaders is offering applied solutions from the front lines of government.
“As a governor and former mayor, I know that the best ideas about moving our country forward often come from innovators on the front lines of state and local governments. I’m thrilled by the NewDEAL New Ideas Challenge and know it will stimulate the kind of fresh thinking we need. I’m impressed by these finalists, and am excited to see their ideas put into action,” said Governor O’Malley, Honorary NewDEAL Co-Chair.
Biss was chosen as one of 16 finalists out of a total of 60 applicants by an esteemed panel of judges who are thought leaders in the policy arena. A winner in each of four categories – growing the economy for the future, expanding opportunity for all, making government work better and best public private partnership – will be announced on December 3rd in Washington, DC.
“Every day, the pro-growth progressive leaders who are a part of the NewDEAL network are championing ideas to modernize government for the 21st century. Daniel Biss has impressed us with his innovative solution to grow the economy and expand opportunity for all. I congratulate him and the other results-oriented state and local leaders, not only for the ideas they’re working on locally but also for the ripple effect they’ll create in communities across the country,” said Governor Jack Markell, Honorary Co-Chair of the New Ideas Challenge.
More information about the NewDEAL can be found at www.newdealleaders.org.