IC-SS Weekly News: Feb 13, 2023
Spread the Word – NO to Paul Vallas
Paul Vallas is wrong for Chicago. Paul Vallas is a failed administrator, leaving budget messes wherever he’s gone. He promotes plans that destroy public education and good government. And, most dangerous of all, he’s welcomed the embrace of hate groups and right-wing extremists. Spread the word.
Last week, Indivisible Chicago-South Side joined Indivisible Chicago Alliance (ICA) and other groups, including CAARPR, Equality Illinois, and Asian Americans for Change, at a press conference outside a mayoral forum being held in the Loop. Our united, urgent message: don’t let Vallas become mayor. (See ICA’s detailed message.)
What We Can Do
To protect our city, we can:
1. Spread the word that Paul Vallas is a threat. In conversation, in your correspondence, and on social media, urge your friends and family to vote in the February 28 election to keep Paul Vallas OUT of City Hall.
- Share Indivisible Chicago Alliance’s document (with receipts!): The Truth About Paul Vallas
2. Vote in the February 28 election. Neither Indivisible Chicago-South Side nor citywide Indivisible Chicago Alliance is endorsing a candidate in the February 28 election. Instead, we ask our members and friends to choose the candidate who best aligns with your values and your hopes for our city.
- See Indivisible Chicago Alliance’s Progressive Guidelines for Chicago voting: ICA progressive guidelines
Forum Round-Up for Chicago Elections
Hear from the candidates – in recordings, on livestreams, in person.
Mayoral Forums – In Person or Virtual
Here are opportunities to see the mayoral candidates from your home or in person.
This Thursday, Feb 16: Meet Three Progressives at The Hideout
NEW From Blue Beginning: This coming Thursday, February 16, the Indivisible Chicago Alliance and its Blue Beginning chapter return to the The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, for a special pre-primary mayoral forum. We’ll hear from three progressive candidates in the race: Brandon Johnson, Chuy Garcia, and Kam Buckner. Program begins 5:00 pm, doors open 4:30. Reserve your spot by registering for free tickets here.
Recorded Mayoral Forums
- NEW From Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Feb 10: Watch
- NEW From Fox-32 Chicago, Feb 9 (caveat: crime/police framing by hosts): Watch
- From Illinois 123GO, Feb 3: Find the recording in two parts at the Illinois 123GO Facebook page.
- NEWLY SHARED HERE From WGN-TV, Jan 31: Watch (Scroll down)
- From Community Renewal Society + Trinity UCC, Jan 29: Watch
- From Active Trans, Jan 28 (focus on walking, biking, transit): Watch
- From WCPT 820 AM, Jan. 26: Watch
- From ABC 7 Chicago + Univision, Jan. 19: Watch
City Council Forums
Find out about upcoming and past forums for various wards at this page of the website League of Women Voters of Chicago. And see below for recorded or live forums.
3rd & 4th Ward Forums
- NEW 4th Ward forum: Recorded Feb 9 forum, hosted by South Loop Neighbors, Indivisible Downtown Chicago, other groups: Watch
- 3rd & 4th Ward forum: Sat., Feb. 18th, 10am-12pm:The Voters Engagement Coalition (website here) presents an in-person 3rd-4th Ward forum at D’Estee, 4525 S. King Dr. RSVP here.
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 will send corrected mail ballots to voters who received the incorrect original ballots.
Resources for You, the Voter
As a Chicagoan, you’ll be voting for multiple races in the municipal election. While IC-SS won’t be making endorsements, we’ll help you get the info you need to vote now through February 28 (Election Day/final day of voting).
The Basics
- Early voting is available to you now through Election Day throughout the city. For info on where you can vote, see Chicago Board of Elections Early Voting page
- Find your ward or police district: The Triibe or Chicago Board of Elections (for registered voters)
General Info about Races and Candidates
- Who’s on your Chicago ballot: Ballotpedia – municipal elections (and see Ballotpedia – Chicago mayor’s race)
- Find your ward and police district — and compare candidates: WBEZ/Sun-Times
- 2023 Municipal Election Voter Guide: Chicago Votes
- Who’s running in each ward for City Council: Block Club Chicago
- NEW Election Center: Your Guide to the 2023 Chicago Municipal Election: The Triibe
Police District Council Races
- Recorded Webinars
- NEW Investing in Community Safety: Chicago’s New District Councils (She Votes IL/JCUA, Feb 6)
- Your Vote for District Council: Toward Community Control of Police (Indivisible Chicago-South Side, Jan 31)
- 2023 police district councils voter guide – Chicago Reader
- Compare candidates: WBEZ/Sun-Times
- What does a police district council member do? – WBEZ/Sun-Times
- 4 candidates running for 2nd Police District Council – 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.
Make a Difference for Democracy in WI
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
- Wednesdays: Phone Banks Hosted by Indivisible Chicago
- Fridays: Field Team 6 Phone Banks to Register Wisconsin Voters
- NEW Saturdays: Canvass in Milwaukee’s Bay View Neighborhood
- 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
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.
Sat Feb 25: Reparations Event (in person & virtual)
Earthseed Black Family Archive Project & Blackroots Alliance presents Reparations: Past, Present and Future Models of Healing and Liberation. (Info/register.)
From Blackroots Alliance: Blackroots Alliance will share their research and political framework on reparations followed by discussions from our esteemed panel. Participants are invited to bring their own thoughts on reparations, thus contributing to the vast well of knowledge and extensive framework as we attempt to answer the question – what does reparations mean for Black people?
Join us online or in person at New Zion MB Church on Saturday, February 25 from 1-3pmCT as we speak with thought leaders, cultural workers and activists about the movements for reparations for black folks living in America – specifically in the Chicagoland area. (Register here to attend online.)
This is hybrid event. Folks can join in person at New Zion MB Church (5015 West Ferdinand Street Chicago, IL 60644) or join virtually by registering here.
Newsletter Notes
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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
