Frank Chapman, Candidates, Resources
Last week, Indivisible Chicago-South Side hosted an online info session: Your Vote for District Council: Toward Community Control of Police.
The event featured Frank Chapman of CAARPR in the first hour, followed in the second hour by candidates for 2nd district: Julia Kline, Ephraim Lee, Alexander J. Perez, Coston Plummer. We thank all our speakers, and we’re grateful that over 50 people attended this informative event to learn and to ask questions.
Missed the event? No worries. You can watch it and get all our follow-up resources too:
- Watch the recording to learn about the new District Councils & meet the 2nd district candidates: Your Vote for District Council: Toward Community Control of Police
- Get the resources: IC-SS’s District Councils Resource Document
Make a Difference in Wisconsin, for Democracy
In the fight for democracy, Wisconsin is the front line. To move toward fair elections and hold back MAGA plans in the state, Wisconsin needs to flip the Wisconsin Supreme Court from conservative to progressive (Judges Everett Mitchell or Janet Claire Protasiewicz).
The non-partisan primary is on February 21, and the top two vote-getters go on to the Wisconsin general election April 4. YOU can help Wisconsin get out the progressive vote. Check out the following opportunities from WisDems.
Wisconsin 2023 Election Activities – Which Will You Choose?
- Tuesdays: WisDems Phone Banks to Voters
- NEW Wednesdays: Phone Banks Hosted by Indivisible Chicago
- Fridays: Field Team 6 Phone Banks to Register Wisconsin Voters
- Multiple days: WisDems Poll Observer Recruitment Phone Banks
- Multiple days: Ballot Cure training, so you’ll be ready to help voters whose ballots are at risk of rejection (see info at link)
- On your own: Write Postcards to Wisconsin Voters with Activate America
Tell YOUR U.S. Rep THANKS – or Do Better
Last week, the U.S. House passed a resolution to “denounce the horrors of socialism.” This farce of a resolution was introduced by Republicans but, shamefully, it garnered 109 votes from Democrats.
While this resolution is non-binding, it sends a powerful message to the public, associating socialism of any type around the world with the likes of Stalin and Pol Pot. This messaging is, in turn, used to demonize social programs in the United States like Social Security and Medicare. (See this opinion piece on MSNBC.)
How did our members of Congress vote? In Illinois’s 2nd district, Rep. Robin Kelly stood strong and voted NAY, but, in the 1st district, we were disappointed to learn that newly sworn-in Rep Jonathan Jackson voted in favor. (See this Indivisible Chicago Alliance Twitter thread to learn how all Illinois Democrats voted.)
Please phone or email YOUR House rep!
- Rep Robin Kelly (IL-02) – Tell her thank you for standing strong and voting no on the MAGA-inspired “horrors of socialism” resolution. Let her know you appreciate her work to protect Medicare, Social Security, and other social programs in word and deed.
- Rep Jonathan Jackson (IL-01) – Tell him you are dismayed that he voted in favor of the GOP “horrors of socialism” resolution that will only serve Republicans’ desire to take away Medicare, Social Security, and other social programs. Urge him to resist both the messaging and the agenda of GOP/MAGA forces and to do all he can to protect Medicare, Social Security, and other social programs.
We’d love to hear from you! Let us know what happens when you contact your member of Congress.
Thanks for Turning Out
Thanks to Indivisible friends for turning out in the bitter cold last Monday, January 30, along with hundreds of people in support of CAARPR‘s emergency action for Tyre Nichols, Keenan Anderson, Tortuguita, and others murdered by police. Vote in District Councils and hold police accountable!
In these photos find Frank Chapman of CAARPR, Teri Watkins, Steven Dornbusch (marshal), Michael Aaron, Lisa Rademacher, Betsy Rubin, and Indivsible Chicago Board members/marshals, Denise Poloyac, Bill Mengebier, Betty Alzamora. If you were there and we didn’t see you, let us know!
Candidate Forums for City Elections
Chicago’s municipal Election Day is February 28, but early voting has already begun downtown and will begin 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 – In Person or Virtual
Here are opportunities to see the mayoral candidates from your home or in person.
Upcoming Mayoral Forums
WBEZ’s Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons has two mayoral forums this week:
- Wed, Feb 8th, 11:00 am. At UIC Student Center East, 750 S. Halsted, hear from Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Chuy Garcia, Paul Vallas, Kam Buckner and Sophia King. Register here.
- Thurs, Feb. 9th, 11:00 am: At Ida Noyes (UChicago), 1212 E. 59th St., hear from Brandon Johnson, Willie Wilson, Roderick Sawyer and Ja’Mal Green. Register here.
NOTE: WBEZ invites you to submit YOUR questions for the candidates here.
Recorded Mayoral Forums
- From Illinois 123GO: Feb 3: Find the recording in two parts at the Illinois 123GO Facebook page.
- From Community Renewal Society + Trinity UCC, Jan 29: Watch
- From Active Trans, Jan 28 (focus on walking, biking, public transit): Watch
- From WCPT 820 AM, Jan. 26: Watch
- From ABC 7 Chicago + Univision, Jan. 19: Watch
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.
5th Ward Forums – Recordings & Reports
Missed recent 5th ward forums? Watch the recordings here:
- From Obama CBA Coalition and Not Me We, Jan 22: watch
- From Save Jackson Park, Jan. 15: watch
- From League of Women Voters of Chicago, Jan. 8: watch. And read the Hyde Park Herald summary here.
NOTE: After most 5th-ward forums took place, one candidate was removed from the ballot (Adrienne Irmer). This candidate’s name mistakenly appeared on mail ballots, and the Chicago Board of Elections is now sending corrected mail ballots to voters who received the incorrect original ballots.
3rd & 4th Ward Forum
- Sat., Feb. 18th, 10am-12pm: The Voters Engagement Coalition presents an in-person forum for 3rd and 4th ward candidates at D’Estee, 4525 S. King Dr. RSVP here.
Resources for You, the Voter
As a Chicagoan, you’ll be voting for multiple races in the municipal election. Cast your ballot now through February 28 (Election Day).
Here are resources we’ve compiled for you:
- Early voting has begun in Chicago’s Loop! For info on where you can vote now, see Chicago Board of Elections Early Voting page
- Who’s on your Chicago ballot: Ballotpedia – municipal elections
- Who’s running for Chicago mayor: Ballotpedia – Chicago mayor’s race
- Find your ward or police district: The Triibe or Chicago Board of Elections (for registered voters)
- NEW: Find your ward and police district — and compare candidates: WBEZ/Sun-Times
- Who’s running in each ward for alder in the City Council: Block Club Chicago
- NEW: 2023 Municipal Election Voter Guide: Chicago Votes
- Read about the police District Council races:
- 2023 police district councils voter guide – Chicago Reader
- 2023 Chicago Police District Councils Voter Guide – The Triibe
- NEW: Find your police district — and compare candidates: WBEZ/Sun-Times
- 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
Recommendations & Endorsement Guides
Indivisible Chicago-South Side is not making endorsements in the municipal elections. However, some organizations and activists have put out their own list of recommendations:
- Empowered Communities Guide – based on a questionnaire, a consortium of progressive grassroots and labor organizations list which candidates for District Councils share their values and principles.
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.
CTU Petition: Black & Brown Unity in Woodlawn
You’ve likely read about the conversion of Woodlawn’s shuttered Wadsworth elementary school into a shelter for migrants. Many have decried the way the mayor’s decisions have pitted Black and Latino communities against each other. (See this WBEZ story.)
The Chicago Teachers Union asks people to sign a petition to Mayor Lightfoot demanding that the mayor’s office “commit to #SanctuaryforAll, for Woodlawn residents new and old, immigrant and non-immigrant alike, particularly in this moment of heightened need.” Add your name to the petition here.
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Indivisible Chicago-South Side
Email: Indiv.Chi.South@gmail.com
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Co-Leaders: Sarah Lincoln, Esther Peters,
Betsy Rubin, Teri Watkins
About: Group & Co-Leader Statements
