Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, will lead more than 350 members of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators during its annual conference in Chicago.

“We are on the front lines in the battle to bring jobs and a better quality of life to our constituents,” said Ballard, who serves as president of the NBCSL.

“The issues we deal with are life and death, and this conference will provide a framework for national progress,” she said.

The conference will be from Dec. 7 to 11 at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel.

Legislators from nearly every state will tackle issues such as education, transportation, health care and agriculture.

NBCSL focuses on domestic policy “and is committed to policies that positively affect all Americans.”