IC-SS Weekly News: Jan. 23, 2023
Your Chance to Hear Frank Chapman + Candidates
In Chicago’s upcoming municipal elections, you’ll be voting on something new – and you’ll have more say over police accountability. Get informed – attend our January 31 online info session. RSVP here for our Jan 31 event.
RSVP for Our Jan 31 Info Session: Learn About ECPS + Candidates
On Tuesday, January 31st, 7:00-9:00 pm, Indivisible Chicago-South Side will hold an online info session on the ECPS ordinance and District Councils. TO ATTEND: RSVP here to get the Zoom link.
The info session will open with a teach-in on ECPS by Frank Chapman of CAARPR, including an explanation of the role of the newly established police District Councils. Then we’ll hear from the four candidates running for the three seats on the District Council in the 2nd police district: Coston Plummer, Julia Kline, Ephraim Lee, Alexander J. Perez. RSVP here.
Frank Chapman, Featured at Our Jan 31 ECPS Info Session
“First I was born in the struggle and then I joined it,” wrote Frank Chapman in his memoir The Damned Don’t Cry. Frank Chapman is Executive Director of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, and the Field Organizer for the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR). RSVP to our Jan 31 event, featuring Frank Chapman.
Hear Frank Chapman (shown at a 2021 rally) at our Zoom event 1-31-23. (Photo: Betsy Rubin)Along with CAARPR, Frank Chapman led Chicago’s effort for community control of police, first proposing and advocating for CPAC (Civilian Police Accountability Council) and then working side by side with a coalition of activist organizations for ECPS (Empowering Communities for Public Safety). Thanks in large part to Frank Chapman’s efforts, the ECPS ordinance is now in effect.
At our January 31 Zoom event, Frank Chapman will speak to you directly about ECPS. RSVP here.
NOTES:
- Under the Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ECPS) ordinance, citizens in each of Chicago’s 22 police districts will be choosing 3 council members to represent the community on their newly established District Council. In short, each of Chicago’s 22 District Councils will have 3 council members representing the community in their police district.
- If you’re in Bronzeville, Douglas, Hyde Park, Kenwood, or Woodlawn, you’re likely in the 2nd police district. Check your police district here – IMPORTANT: be sure to find the DISTRICT number, not “area” number.
- Even if you don’t live in the 2nd police district, our info session will still have important information for you about the ECPS ordinance and the election.
This Thurs: National Launch Call for 2023 Indivisible Guide
LET’S DEFEAT MAGA.
1. Check out the new Indivisible Guide for 2023.
2. Attend national Indivisible’s Zoom webinar, Deep Dive on the New Guide: Our 2023 Indivisible Guide Launch Call this coming Thursday, January 26th at 7:00 pm CT/8:00 pm ET. Register here.
Candidate Forums for City Elections
Chicago’s municipal Election Day is February 28, but early voting begins downtown on January 26 and across the city on Feb 13. While IC-SS won’t be making endorsements, we’ll help you get the info you need to cast your ballot.
Mayoral Forums – Livestreams, Recordings
Here are opportunities to see the mayoral candidates from the comfort of your home – watch these recordings!
- From ABC 7 Chicago and Univision, Jan. 19: Watch the ABC-7 recording here.
- From the People’s Response Network, Jan. 15: Watch the recorded livestream here.
- From Chicago Women Take Action and co-sponsored by Indivisible Chicago Alliance and other groups, Jan. 14. Watch the recording from CAN-TV.
City Council Forums
Find out about upcoming forums for various wards at this page of the website League of Women Voters of Chicago. And see below for recorded or live forums for the 4th and 5th wards:
5th Ward Forums – Recordings & Reports
Missed recent 5th ward forums? Watch them here:
- From Obama CBA Coalition and Not Me We, Jan 22: watch recording.
- From Save Jackson Park, Jan. 15: watch recording.
- From League of Women Voters of Chicago, Jan. 8: watch recording. And read the Hyde Park Herald summary here.
4th Ward – Aldermanic Forum, Thurs., Feb. 9th
On Thursday, Feb. 9th, 6:00-8:30 pm, attend the 4th Ward Aldermanic Forum in person at Grace Place in the South Loop (637 S. Dearborn). The event will also be livestreamed on Facebook. All 7 candidates have agreed to speak. (Scroll to full list of 4th ward candidates here.) Tickets to the forum are free, but you must RSVPat this registration page.
Forum organizers include Grace Episcopal Church, Indivisible Downtown Chicago, League of Women Voters, and South Loop Neighbors.
Resources for You, the Voter
As a Chicagoan, you’ll be voting for multiple races in the February 28 municipal election.
Here are resources we’ve compiled for you:
- See who’ll be on your Feb 28 ballot: Ballotpedia – municipal elections
- See who’s running for mayor: Ballotpedia – Chicago mayor’s race
- Find out which ward or police district you’re in: The Triibe
- Read about the police District Council races:
- 2023 police district councils voter guide – Chicago Reader
- See who’s running for the newly-created police District Councils in Chicago’s 2023 election – The Triibe
- What does a police district council member do? – Sun-Times
- 4 candidates running for local police District Council [in 2nd Police District] – Hyde Park Herald
Organizations and Opportunities
Indivisible Chicago-South Side shares information and action announcements from other organizations on issues important in our country, state, city, and communities.
Public Meeting of Community Commission – Thurs Jan 26
In July 2021, the Chicago City Council passed the Empowering Communities for Public Safety ordinance, creating a new model for police oversight, accountability, and public safety. The ECPS ordinance created two bodies: a citywide Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA), with power to advance systemic reform, and District Councils, which will be elected in each police district and work to improve policing and public safety in the district. Read more at this City of Chicago webpage.)
You can attend public meetings of the CCPSA – next one is this coming Thursday.
The Community Commission, CCPSA, has announced its next public meeting. Attend in person OR view the livestream. Info:
WHAT: Public Meeting of CCPSA (Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability)
WHEN: Thursday, January 26th, 6:30 pm
WHERE:
–In person: Olive-Harvey College, 10001 S. Woodlawn
– Livestream: Via CCPSA’s YouTube channel – https://bit.ly/3ZPzbSo
Neighbors Who Vote: Feb Meeting Hosts Yvette Loizon
Neighbors Who Vote (NWV) shares the following flyer with information about their February meeting.
NWV Monthly Meeting: Sunday, February 5th at 5001 S. Ellis
- Doors open 3:00 pm
- Public presentation 3:30-4:30
- Members-only business meeting 5:00-6:00 pm
Guest Speaker: Yvette Loizon, Interim Community Commissioner, Community Commission for Public Safety & Accountability (CCPSA)RSVP: https://forms.gle/L5k7XgY9MGVj9j1p9Questions:info@NeighborsWhoVote.com
CAARPR: Forum/Endorsement Party for District Council
Yesterday, CAARPR hosted a Forum and Endorsement Party for candidates running for Chicago’s District Councils under the new ECPS ordinance for police accountability.
CAARPR’s forum was an uplifting opportunity to hear from diverse District Council candidates citywide who share the vision of community control of police. Watch the recording here.
Frank Chapman, CAARPR; Alds Carlos Ramirez-Rosa & Jeanette Taylor; Troy Gaston/BLMChi & Teri Watkins/IC-SS
Candidates for District Council 2: Julia Kline, Coston Plummer (center of table), Alexander J. Perez
NOTE: The candidates shown in the lower set of photos – Julia Kline, Coston Plummer, and Alexander J. Perez – as well as Ephraim Lee will appear at Indivisible Chicago-South Side’s January 31 Zoom info session.
