With Nov. 2 creeping closer, potential voters may be overpowered by the floodgate of political promises and grandstanding and forget the most important component of elections – addressing the issues.

The EIU Chapter of the University Professionals of Illinois, in conjunction with the Coles County League of Women Voters, will host the forum “The 2010 General Elections: What’s at stake?” to examine the implications of the Nov. 2 elections.

The forum will feature panelists Betty Dodson, Coles County League of Women Voters; and professors Jonathan Coit, history; Dan Hickman, economics; and Melinda Mueller, political science

Mueller will be discussing the implications the election may have on public education, focusing primarily on President Barack Obama’s efforts to reformNo Child Left Behind. She said she will also be discussing the implications the election will have on developing a nationalclimate change policy.

Mueller said she was approached by forum moderator Richard Wandling, political education professor, to participate in the panel because of her experience teaching public policy.

“Ithink it’s important for ourcampus community to have open dialogues like these to discuss important political issues,” Mueller said. “This panel will provide the EIU community with an opportunity to learn about some of the important issues in this November’s election.”

Hickman will be discussing the economic issues in both the national and state elections. At the national level, he will explore the fact that job growth has remained stagnant and that we likely need more government stimulus in order to get unemployment to decrease.

“This will be difficult to do, since the public is increasingly concerned over the level of the federal deficit,” Hickman said. “At this point, cutting spending could have severe negative consequences.”

At the state level, Hickman will address the idea that Illinois politicians will have little ability to affect unemployment and job growth concerns because of the budget crisis.

“As with the federal level, balancing the state budget will mean cutting spending, even to vital departments like health and education,” he added. “While not popular, it is likely that a tax increase is warranted to try and prevent the degradation of public services.”

He will also mention the issues with Illinois’ unfunded pension program and the various ideas presented for dealing with its problems.

In his segment, Coit wants to address health care reform and the rising costs of Medicaid. He will also compare the state of American health care systems to others in effect in England and Germany.

Coit said that often in elections, people might get caught up in the “horserace” of politics and rarely focus on the issues, which he hopes this panel will counteract.

“Because this panel is non-partisan, it can appeal to all people,” he added.

Mueller also expressed the importance of the panel.

“I hope people will recognize why it is so important to be informed, and to vote, even when we don’t have a presidential race occurring,” Mueller said.

The forum will take place at 7 p.m. today in Lumpkin Hall Auditorium and is open to the public.

Shelley Holmgren can be reached at 581-7942 or meholmgren@eiu.edu