Predictably, most of the buzz around the ninth annual Cap Times Idea Fest focuses on its famous national names.

For example, the finale features Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois on Saturday evening, Sept. 13. It will be timely, as Pritzker has been at war with President Donald Trump over Trump’s attempt to deploy crime-fighting troops to Chicago.

Then there’s Stacey Abrams , a renowned voting rights activist whose appearance on Sept. 9 is also timely given the right’s unrelenting efforts to make it harder for people of color to vote.

And there is also Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz , the former Democratic vice presidential candidate, who appears on Sept. 12. Walz is once again dealing with horrific gun violence in his state.

That list goes on, and, yes, those speakers require a paid ticket f

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