An interactive Midwest Leadership Summit on reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at the American Bar Association headquarters building, 312 N. Clark, Chicago.

Sponsors are the American Civil Liberties Union and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Educational Fund. With the 40th anniversary of the act having been marked last year, they believe it is time to look ahead to renewal and reform of sections that will soon expire.

Speakers will review technical and legal details involved in Voting Rights Act issues, and techniques and tips for discussing them during community forums.

Host committee participants include the Black Women Lawyers Association, Chicago Council of Lawyers, Cook County Bar Association, Women's Bar Association, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, and Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

To register, access the Web site, www.aclu-il.org/vra/242.shtml. Space is limited. The luncheon fee is $25. For more information, send an e-mail to eyohnka@aclu-il.org.