State Lawmakers Embark On 'Coffee Shop Stop' Half Marathon

Sen. Bill Cunningham (18th District) and Rep. Fran Hurley (35th) will embark on a “coffee half marathon” taking in 13 locations a coffee shops, restaurants and other businesses on Saturday, July 18.

Residents are invited to meet and greet Sen. Cunningham and Rep. Hurley during their whirlwind coffee tour. The state lawmakers’ “coffee and conversation” half marathon will cover more than 65 miles as it winds through their legislative districts from Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood to Tinley Park.

Both will spend approximately 25 minutes at each of the 13 locations, who will take time to listen constituents’ concerns and answer their questions about state government.

“I feel this is a unique and valuable way for the people we represent to make their voices heard. With the budget negotiations still going on, I expect we will hear a lot from our residents during this event and we will take those concerns and ideas back with us to the Capitol,” Sen. Cunningham said in news release.

Rep. Hurley came up with the idea for the event while watching runners compete in the annual First Midwest Bank Palos Half Marathon.

“That race has become one of the premiere events in my district. It’s a real showcase for our area that draws thousands of runners and spectators,” Hurley said. “I thought a “Coffee and Conversation Half Marathon” would be a good tie-in to help make our constituents aware of how accessible we are. I’m not sure if I can run 13.1 miles in a couple of hours, but I know I can make it to 13 coffee shops in one day.”

The “Coffee and Conversation Half Marathon” will visit the following locations (arrival times are approximate), Saturday, July 18:

8 AM - Hardboiled Coffee Co. - 9135 S. Western Ave., Chicago

8:40 AM - Starbucks - 1933 W. 103rd St., Chicago

9:20 AM - Starbucks - 3243 W. 115th St., Merrionette Park

10 AM - Starbucks - 7202 W. 119th St., Palos Heights

10:40 AM - Dunkin’ Donuts - 13029 S. La Grange Rd., Palos Park

11:20 AM - Dunkin’ Donuts - 8940 W. 159th St., Orland Park

Noon - Starbucks - 15901 S. Harlem Ave., Tinley Park

12:40 PM - Blissful Banana Café - 15447 S. 94th Ave., Orland Park

1:20 PM - Dunkin’ Donuts - 14461 S. La Grange Rd. , Orland Park

2 PM - Dunkin’ Donuts - 11309 W. 143rd St., Orland Park

2:40 PM - Starbucks - 14209 S. La Grange Rd. in Orland Park

3:20 PM - Dunkin’ Donuts - 10401 S. Western Ave., Chicago

4 PM - Horse Thief Hollow - 10426 S. Western Ave., Chicago

Those interested in meeting Sen. Cunningham and Rep. Hurley during the coffee half-marathon can track their whereabouts on July 18 on the Sen. Cunningham and Rep. Hurley Facebook page and Sen. Cunningham’s twitter account (@SenatorBillC) for live updates on their location.