CHICAGO (AP) — Director George Lucas, chef Mario Batali and actress Joan Cusack are among the speakers at this week’s Chicago Ideas Week.

The event features conversations held at venues around the city about everything from food to financing and science to politics. The dozens of events start Monday morning and last through Sunday.

This year speakers also include U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, the Rev. Al Sharpton, rapper Sean Combs, singer Naomi Judd and Deepak Chopra among others.

___

Online: http://www.chicagoideas.com

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.