PC TRAINING DESCRIPTIONS 8/24/2019

DuPage Democrats Training Sessions

#1 - DuPage Dems - PC 101 - Training
This is for new PCs, Veteran PCs and those considering being a PC. We will review our PC Calendar through November 2020 and focus on what our PCs should be doing during the 2020 petition season (which starts in September 2019). Feel free to stay for VoteBuilder training which will immediately follow.


#2- DuPage Dems - VoteBuilder - Training
This training will ensure you have all the VoteBuilder training you need to get you through the 2020 Petition Season (September 2019 - December 2019). Access, how to create a universe of data for your precinct and how to print off a walk list.

#3 - DuPage Dems - Get on the Ballot & How to Circulate Petitions
Go over everything you need to know and do to get on the ballot and to circulate petitions for the 2020 Petition Season (September 2019 - December 2019). This event is open to PCs and Candidates alike.

SHINING A LIGHT ON SEXUAL ASSAULT IN DuPAGE COUNTY

SHINING A LIGHT ON SEXUAL ASSAULT IN DuPAGE COUNTY

By Dianne McGuire, Democratic Women of DuPage County



Event: August 25^th, 3-5 PM, 500 Oakmont Lane, Westmont, (Illinois Federation of Teachers Office)


Nationally, every 107 seconds, someone is sexually assaulted in this country: one in five women and one in 71 men.  Only 5-20% of rapes are reported to law enforcement and an even smaller number are prosecuted.  Evidence obtained from victims often can take up to a year or longer to be processed.  And, way too often, victims are not believed.  


The panelists for our program will help us better understand what happens after that 911 call is placed from a victim of sexual assault.  We will hear from State’s Attorney, Robert Berlin, who will explain efforts in DuPage County to better address the criminal prosecution side of this crime; Kerry O’Connor, Sexual Assault Nurse Evaluator (SANE), will help us understand what medical/psychological procedures are put in place for victims; Colleen Zavodny, Coordinator, Advocacy & Crisis Intervention from the Chicago Metropolitan YWCA Rape Crisis Center, will discuss the extensive advocacy in place for the victim; and Laura Welch, Will County NOW President, will discuss legislative efforts, including funding, to better address sexual assault statewide.


There will be an opportunity for Q & A at the conclusion of our panelists’ presentations. Donations of new women’s sweatpants, tee shirts and flip flops to replenish the YWCA “closet” of clothing given to rape victims to replace the clothing taken for evidence by law enforcement are encouraged. Cash/checks are also appreciated.  Refreshments will be provided.  There is no charge for this event.

2020 RACES

PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER.  MORE UPDATES EXPECTED SOON.  THANK YOU.

2020 Candidate Recruitment Key

         Black Text – we have at least one Democratic Candidate running

         Blue Text – we’ve heard someone might run, but it has not been confirmed to us

         Red Text – we are NOT aware of anyone even considering running

State Wide Races (Federal)

•   President

•   Senator

County Wide Offices - Races

•   18th Judicial Circuit Court - (2 or 3 Seats)

•   Auditor

•   Clerk of the Circuit Court (NOTE: Administrative Position - does not have to be a lawyer)

•   Coroner

•   Recorder

•   State’s Attorney

County District - Races

•   Forest Preserve District 2

•   Forest Preserve District 4

•   Forest Preserve District 5

•   County Board District 1

•   County Board District 2

•   County Board District 3

•   County Board District 4

•   County Board District 5

•   County Board District 6

STOP STERIGENICS UPDATE 8/16/2019

STOP STERIGENICS UPDATE 8/16/2019

By Joanna Chlystek

On Thursday August 1st a crowd of about a hundred, according to media reports, came out to protest the issuance of a permit to Sterigenics, an area company long known to have polluted Willowbrook and nearby communities with a Class 1 Carcinogen: ethylene oxide.  The firm currently is under a seal order, which restricts it from using EtO, due to its exceeding EPA emissions limits, but is seeking to resume operations following the construction of new controls. It is the position of Stop Sterigenics that EtO is unsafe at any level, and that the Willowbrook Sterigenics facility should never reopen again.  Following the protest, around 500 participants attended the Illinois EPA Public Meeting.  

Stop Sterigenics communicates through a variety of channels such as its Facebook page, but also strong media contacts, editorials, and relationships with other advocates in the fight for clean air are keeping the focus on this topic. As a result, just last month, July 2019, another community, this time in Smyrna Georgia, discovered that they too were being exposed to EtO from Sterigenics. We quickly reached out  and have teamed up to provide guidance and support to that community sharing lessons to help the residents of Smyrna deal with this new reality they are facing. We’ll continue to work together, for the collective benefit of all affected communities.

This fight is far from over though. The Illinois EPA announced they will accept written comments on the permit until August 15^th and they will render a decision thereafter.  Concurrently, the municipalities will be filing a brief to the courts regarding the action against Sterigenics, and that matter goes back to court on September 6^th to determine if the judge will uphold the consent agreement issued to Sterigenics by the Illinois EPA.  This is an important date and Stop Sterigenics is asking community members to make plans to be in attendance for the hearing on September 6^th  at the DuPage County Court House.

On Saturday, August 24^th from 5:30-6:30 PM Stop Sterigenics will hold a Vigil in front of the Sterigenics Willowbrook facility, located at 7775 S Quincy St., to commemorate the one-year anniversary of our community learning about Sterigenics’ EtO emissions.  It is a time to look back on the suffering, the loss, and the perseverance of our collective communities, which have banded together to confront the threat head on. The vigil is also to remind us what we’ve achieved and what remains to be completed, keeping us focused on our objective to breathe easier, figuratively and literally, when we’re finally done. For more information please visit our event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/704074526732827/

Many in Chicagoland are at risk, as EtO can reach upwards of 20 miles from its source.  Given the number of facilities in the area and to the north of us, there may not be very many ‘safe zones’ free from this carcinogen. A taller stack, which is what is being proposed in the Willowbrook Sterigenics Construction Permit, may only further its EtO reach.  It’s important for all those living in Chicago and its surrounding communities to call on their local government, their municipalities, and ask for resolutions to ban the use of this toxic pollutant. Contact information for legislators is available on the Stop Sterigenics site, under the heading ‘More’.

Stop Sterigenics is also asking the community to continue its calls on Governor Pritzker to call a special session and pass a ban on EtO emissions for the safety of this community.  Information on this topic is constantly in a state of flux and keeping up to date to mobilize quickly is key. Subscribing to the Stop Sterigenics site is one way to stay in the loop. Another is to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.  We can’t do it without support from the community and since we are a volunteer organization, we accept donations which is how we continue to improve mechanisms and tools to keep communications active, ensuring this topic remains relevant until resolved.

LINKS:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/stop-sterigenics?member=2599998  

https://www.facebook.com/StopSterigenics/ 

https://www.stopsterigenics.com/

RIGHTEOUS, CONTROLLED ANGER – A LIFEBLOOD OF CHANGE?

RIGHTEOUS, CONTROLLED ANGER – A LIFEBLOOD OF CHANGE? 
 (Commentary from Preet Bharara)


Summarized By Joanna Williams


Sunday afternoon, August 4, 2019


For me, on that Sunday afternoon, in the wake of two senseless murder scenes, sadness and heartbreak gave way to anger, boiling anger. 


Anger at the shooters.  But also anger at a racist president who foments hate and white nationalism.  And then, ever sharply and unforgivingly, anger at the insufferable craven boobs we call lawmakers who perennially block all common sense laws on guns.


More than 90 percent of Americans support universal background checks. Yet no action.


Seventy-five percent of Americans support a 30-day waiting period for gun sales. Yet no action.


Seventy percent of Americans support requiring privately owned guns to be registered with the police. Yet no action.


Added to my anger was the utter cowardice on the part of so many lawmakers – especially Republicans – in their radio silence.  CNN reported that after the Dayton shooting, 49 out of 50 GOP lawmakers declined invitations to discuss the shootings on the air.  First responders braved bullets to save innocents in two American cities, and yet scores of elected officials fled the public square in the aftermath.  If you believe in the status quo, say so and defend it; if you believe in change, then fight for it.  If you can’t do either, then step aside and leave your office to someone with integrity. It’s that simple.


I am angry.  So are many of you.  Anger isn’t reason. Anger isn’t analysis.  Anger isn’t evidence.  Anger isn’t a policy proposal, reform, or solution.  Raw anger can cloud and distort more than illuminate.  So one needs to be careful.  But controlled anger can be the lifeblood of change.  At least I hope so.

HATERS IN AMERICA

HATERS IN AMERICA


By Carla Feinkind


Candidate Trump rode that escalator wielding hate to build his base. First, it was against the "rapist" Mexicans, and then he started frenzied calls for a Muslim ban. Each time, there was a soft rebuttal to his rhetoric, but mostly, Americans just looked away. 


For a few moments, we were horrified as young children at the border were ripped from their parents' arms and thrown into cages.  Our OUTRAGE forced Trump and his administration to pull back... somewhat. But then it began again and even got worse. And, we do nothing. 


There was some blowback when Trump started ranting that progressive Democratic Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilan Omar should go back where they "came from." Rep. Omar, immigrated from Somalia but, is a naturalized citizen. They COME from places like the Bronx, Detroit, and Cincinnati.  They're Democrats elected to Congress AND they are NOT white.


Trump tried to bully Rep. Elijah Cummings, an icon of the civil rights movement. Trump ranted that Cummings' city, Baltimore which has a Black population of 62%, is rat infested and no "human" would ever want to live there.       ... Yawn, it's just Trump wielding hate against people of color and the GOP is silent.


Since the 2016 election, the FBI documented that incidents of hate/race vandalism have sky-rocketed by double digits. The Washington Post reports that, "Counties that hosted a 2016 Trump rally saw a 226 percent increase in hate crimes." In other words, Trump's hate-fueled rallies LEAD to violence.


Last week there were 3 acts of deadly terrorism: one by a self-identified White Supremacist Trump supporter, another by a White Supremacist, and the other motivated by White Supremacy and also violence against women. 


Finally, the media is calling these massacres acts of TERRORISM committed by White Supremacists and making the connection to Trump and the GOP. But, regardless of the shooters' political affiliations, the media has yet to report that…


*The GOP refuses to regulate guns. *The GOP rejects national background checks and rejects all national research into guns and mental health. *The GOP refuses to ban the sale of military style weapons with large magazines, the weapon of choice for domestic terrorists. WHY? Because the NRA, which has been found to be laundering Russian rubles, donates to Moscow Mitch's GOP. So, the GOP protects gun sales profits over our right to live.


Trump and the GOP spend a lot of time dividing people into 'we and they,' making it easy to scapegoat.  THEY MAKE IT EASY FOR PEOPLE TO LOOK AWAY WHEN THE "THEY'S" ARE HURT.  


Remember, the Holocaust did NOT start with gas chambers. Most Germans never beat up a Jewish child or mother BUT, they looked away as the babies were ripped from their mother's arms. They had been indoctrinated and had become inured to the evil potential of hate.

The lessons of the Holocaust are URGENT in Trump's America.

The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center teaches, "Don't be a bystander. Be an UPSTANDER."

Our 'anger' is there, but it is not RAW. We are becoming desensitized to Trump's hate-filled rants and his hate begins to feel NORMAL....BUT, HATE IS ALWAYS DANGEROUS.


What CAN we do?   Denounce the haters and their hate. Never look away! BLAME THE SILENT GOP!

Make hate  AND military style weapons VOTING ISSUES. 


Make sure the GOP knows how you feel. Call Both Houses of Congress at 202 224-3121.

Remember, 'WE ARE THE MANY'. BE THE BLUE TSUNAMI THAT WILL WASH OUT THE HATERS AND THE GREEDY MONSTERS WHO PUT GUN PROFITS ABOVE OUR RIGHT TO LIVE.

Rabbi Hillel the Elder's wisely asked, "IF NOT NOW, WHEN?"    I add, "IF NOT YOU, WHO?"

GET MAD AND GET BUSY!!!

PETITION SEASON IS HERE

PETITION SEASON IS HERE

By Chris Hotchkin

Candidates and their volunteers and precinct committeepersons can start circulating petitions on September 3 to get on the Illinois Primary 2020 ballot. Various offices require candidates to obtain various numbers of signatures of voters from their party in order to qualify to be on the ballot. A Democratic voter may sign petitions for more than one candidate for each office, but voters may not sign petitions for both Democratic and Republican candidates When a voter signs a petition for a candidate, he/she is declaring to be a member of that candidate’s party. Petitions must be signed by voters who reside within the district for which the candidate is running for office.

Precinct Committeepersons (PC’s) will be elected in the Primary which will take place on March 17, 2020. PC’s will need to get petitions signed in order to be on the Primary ballot. PC’s need at least 10 signatures from Democratic voters in their precinct, but it is recommended to get at least 15-20 signatures.

There will be a Petition Kick-Off Event on Saturday September 7 starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Downers Grove Township Democrats Office, 908 Curtiss Ave., Downers Grove. Volunteers can come to the office and sign petitions for Sean Casten for U.S. Congress District 6, Bill Foster for U.S. Congress District 11, Anne Stava Murray for State Representative in the 81^st District, candidates running for DuPage County offices and Boards, and Precinct Committeepersons. Volunteers and PC’s can also pick up copies of petitions for candidates and for PC that they can circulate in their precincts. If any candidates or volunteers have petitions to be notarized by September 7, notary publics will be available in the office from noon until 2:00.

Although definite dates for filing petitions have not yet been announced, it is likely that candidates will file in late November or early December.

TAKE ACTION CORNER – "FIGHT BACK FRIDAYS" IN HINSDALE

TAKE ACTION CORNER – "FIGHT BACK FRIDAYS" IN HINSDALE

By Carissa Kapcar and Penny Davey, Hinsdale

Concern Leads to Action
One week after.
Consistently for the 130+ weeks since.
Three to fifteen, more than thirty-five involved.
Too many to remember.
Over 5,000.

One week after the 2017 inauguration, and consistently for the 130+ Fridays since, three to fifteen concerned citizens have gathered to take action by writing postcards about too many issues to remember. What has been described as ‘one-part therapy and two-parts action’ has been a casual, yet powerful, way for like-minded neighbors, friends, and friends of friends to gather and make an impact. In fact, the group estimates they have sent over 5,000 postcards.

Attendees come as they can, spurred forward by a concern over an issue or issues bothering them most that week. There is no need to RSVP, just show up ready to go. Each Friday brings a new set of concerns, locally, nationally, and globally. Views are shared with lawmakers in Springfield and Washington, D.C. and others. The group has also worked to support local issues, from schools to candidates. The early morning (7:30-8:15 a.m.) gathering time was established to accommodate work and school schedules. It is a time for venting, discussion, and focused action!

Fight Back Friday grew from spirits stirred during the 2017 Woman’s March. A few acquaintances discovered that they shared a sincere need to become involved in the change they wanted to see. The group, made up of a few women, men, and even two young daughters, initially met at a locally owned coffee shop to direct their concerns via postcards. By the very next week, word of mouth had spread! The group was too large for the coffee shop and has been growing and meeting at dining room tables since.

One wonderful feature of the group is that it is multi-generational with ages ranging from elementary children, high school students, young parents, up through retirees. The warmth of these cross generational relationships is palpable. In fact, the Fight Back group was a very encouraging audience when one young member bravely shared her school Student Council campaign speech.   The friendships and respect for one another have grown into occasional evening social gatherings, alliances for further action including canvasing efforts, town hall meetings, and more.

Recently, Fight Back launched its first spin-off group in Ohio with a potential for over 20 enthusiastic attendees.

This local grassroots group is inspiring as a way to put people’s passion and angst into action. While channeling concern and using that to take positive steps forward, Fight Back Friday has built community and made a difference.

This model is easy to duplicate with a starter set of postcards, addresses and engaged citizens ready to make their voice heard. Feel empowered to start your own action group!

BLUE NO MATTER WHO - HOW?

BLUE NO MATTER WHO - HOW?

By Anne Sommerkamp

Persuading friends, relatives, and people at doors to "vote blue no matter who" is the challenge we face in the 2020 election. Not long ago the idea of talking about politics or religion in polite company was taboo. To some extent it is still so today. Case in point - a friend and I were meeting some of his friends for dinner. Before dinner my friend politely asked me to avoid talking about politics because his friends do not share my views. I'll admit I was irritated. It meant I couldn't talk about my work, my passion, or my activism. Out of respect for my friend I complied. Dinner was fine. I did a lot of listening. As the evening progressed, I learned there is more common ground on “kitchen table" issues than we know. Cool. I'm not going to say the conversation flipped our dinner companions to vote blue no matter who. My hope is it created food for thought.

As we begin knocking doors to get signatures for candidates to appear on the ballot, we should leave "food for thought" at every door. Petition season is not too early to have conversations at doors with people who disagree with you. Listen to what they say. Point out common ground when you hear it. Stay calm and know if you tell someone they're wrong, they'll dig in their heels, so let's not say it that way. Learn to pivot from issues where there is no common ground. Most of us agree on big issues like mass shootings and gun safety, ending Russian meddling in our elections (or any other country's elections), healthcare costs, tax benefits from cannabis legalization, keeping tax dollars out of the private prison system, requiring social media platforms to maintain protections from fake news, trolls, and bots. At the doors remember - people who aren’t motivated enough to learn how policies affect their lives cannot be expected to support things they do not understand. This is evidenced by the fact that voter turnout is considered high when 60% vote. Be ready with ways for voters to find unbiased truth. One source is Votesmart.org.

Democrats, more than Republicans, tend to leave races blank on a ballot if they don't know the candidate. This is a deadly habit because down-ballot Democrats have a harder time getting elected. Let the people you talk to know that most Democratic candidates have similar values and are more in line with their beliefs than the other party. It is another "Vote blue no matter who" moment.

People who don't care about politics because they don't understand are the product of poor civics classes and biased news sources (Fox News). I can't count how many times I have given civics lessons at a door...to college educated people. For example, it is imperative that people know they can sign a candidate's petition so that person can be on the ballot, but it doesn't mean they have to vote for the person. We must keep working on eligible voters with kindness, humility, teaching and listening. We will win with the right "food for thought" and we will keep feeding our friends, relatives, and people at their doors until we sway them to vote blue no matter who. 

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR – AUGUST 2019

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR – AUGUST 2019


By Kim Savage


Do you believe the summer is over? It flew by fast while we have been making plans for the upcoming 2020 election. With about 440 days to go until we vote to retire 45 from office, it may seem like an eternity. In reality, it is already GO TIME!


On September 3, candidates will begin circulating petitions to get on the ballot! This includes all candidates from the Presidential race to the Circuit Court Judges. A month later, delegates for the Democratic National Convention will also start collecting signatures. Depending on which congressional district you live in, there may be dozens of delegate candidates on your ballot.


We will kick off the petition drive on September 7 at our office at 908 Curtiss Street in Downers Grove. Come meet elected officials and candidates and sign petitions! Better yet, take action and spend an hour or two circulating petitions to help get more Democrats on the ballot!


Every election year, you hear that this is the most important election of your lifetime. This time, it is absolutely true. It is imperative that we elect a Democratic President. It is also equally vital that we hold the ground we claimed in 2018 in the U.S. Congress, the state legislature and in DuPage County. We must also increase the number of Democrats elected to the county board, county wide offices, and the circuit court. Everyone must engage in this process to promote candidates, educate voters, and ensure that all eligible Democratic voters are registered and cast their ballots.


Please stay tuned in to our newsletters, social media pages, and email blasts to find out how you can help. There is a role for everyone in this election. Be passionate, be engaged, and let’s get going!