IC-SS Weekly News: Feb 20, 2023
No Hate in Our State! Elmhurst Rally TODAY
TODAY at 3:30 pm, Ron DeSantis is coming to Illinois to spread his messages of hate with the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police. As part of a strong coalition, Indivisible Chicago Alliance (ICA) will show up to declare that neither hate nor DeSantis has a place in Illinois. Join us! Sign up attend the rally TODAY, Monday, Feb 20th, in Elmhurst at 3:30 pm.
What: Hate Has No Place in Illinois rally
When: Monday, Feb. 20th, 3:30-4:30 pm
Where: Knights of Columbus, 537 S. York St., Elmhurst, IL
Organized by: Equality IL, Indivisible Chicago Alliance, IL Families for Public Schools, IL Federation of Teachers, IL NOW, Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of IL (UUANI), CAARPR, HANA Center, and others
More info:Facebook Event page
RSVP/get event updates: Sign up to attend rally
Watch Wisconsin – Act Now
Tomorrow – February 21 – is the Wisconsin primary! Can you help TODAY, Monday Feb 20 – or tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb 21?
BACKGROUND: 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, by electing either of two liberal candidates, Everett Mitchell or Janet Claire Protasiewicz, over two right-wing candidates.
If Mitchell or Protasiewicz is one of the top two vote-getters in the non-partisan primary, that liberal candidate will move on to the general election in April – and we’ll then need to help that candidate get elected to flip the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
YOU can help Wisconsin get out the progressive vote RIGHT NOW for the February 21 primary. Check out the opportunities from Indivisible Chicago or WisDems.
Phone Voters for the Wisconsin Primary
Using your phone and laptop, join friendly organizers to get Democratic voters out to vote! Via Zoom, you’ll get on-going training and support.
- TODAY: Mon Feb 20, 12:00-2:00 pm, Indivisible Chicago phonebank
- TODAY: Mon Feb 20, 4:00-6:00 pm, WisDems phonebank
- TOMORROW: Tues Feb 21, various times, WisDems phonebank
PS We’ll update you on future opportunities soon.
Chicago – It’s Decision Time
Chicagoans, have you voted yet? Whether you cast your ballot by mail or in person, your last chance to vote is next week: Tuesday February 28. Get all the info from Chicago Board of Elections.
The key races are Mayor’s Office + City Council + Police District Council. Still making up your mind? Check our resources below to hear the candidates speak or read up on who’s running.
Resources for You, the Voter
As a Chicagoan, you’ll be voting for multiple races in the municipal election. While IC-SS isn’t making endorsements, we’ll help you get the info you need to vote now through February 28 (Election Day/final day of voting).
Send us YOUR non-partisan “I voted” photo & we’ll share it!
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
- Election Center: Your Guide to the 2023 Chicago Municipal Election: The Triibe
Police District Council Races
- NEWLY SHARED HERE: What Do Police District Councils Do? Chicago Reader
- What does a police district council member do? – WBEZ/Sun-Times
- 2023 police district councils voter guide – Chicago Reader
- Compare candidates: 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.
Forum Round-Up for Chicago Elections
Trying to decide? Hear from the candidates and make up your mind to vote.
Mayoral Forums
In Person: Here’s one more chance to meet mayoral candidates in person! The People’s Resource Network (PRN) has shared this poster announcing Coffee & Snack Chat with the Community & Candidates, to be held on Saturday, Feb, 25th, 1:30-3:30 pm, at Kenwood Academy, 5015 S. Blackstone Ave.
At least 5 mayoral candidates have confirmed (see poster). For more info on the event, contact PRN at prncoalition@gmail.com or 773-245-3389.
Recorded: Hear from the mayoral candidates in the following recordings.
- NEW: From Indivisible Chicago Alliance & its Blue Beginning chapter, Feb 16 (Marj Halperin & Tom Moss interview Chuy Garcia, Brandon Johnson, Kam Buckner): Watch
- From Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Feb 10: Watch
- 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.
- WGN-TV, Jan 31: Watch (Scroll down)
- From Community Renewal Society + Trinity UCC, Jan 29: Watch
- Find earlier forums in last week’s IC-SS newsletter
City Council Forums
Find recordings of past forums for various wards at League of Women Voters of Chicago.And see below for recorded 4th and 5th ward forums.
4th Ward Forum
- 4th Ward forum: Recorded Feb 9 forum, hosted by South Loop Neighbors, Indivisible Downtown Chicago, other groups: Watch
5th Ward Forums
- 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, Adrienne Irmer, was removed from the ballot .
Police District Council Forums
You’ll be voting for the NEW elected Police District Council for your police district. Watch these recorded webinars.
- Investing in Community Safety: Chicago’s New District Councils (She Votes IL/JCUA, Feb 6) Recorded webinar
- Your Vote for District Council: Toward Community Control of Police with Frank Chapman + 2nd district candidates (Indivisible Chicago-South Side, Jan 31)
Whatever You Do, Say 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.
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
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.
Thurs Feb 23: CCPSA Police Accountability Meeting
Thurs, Feb 23, 6:30 pm: Attend a public meeting of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) at Richard J. Daley College, 7500 S. Pulaski Rd. You can attend in person OR watch a livestream. Get all the info on this public meeting from CCPSA.
Recall that both the CCPSA commission and the new Police District Councils were created through the Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ECPS) ordinance. Learn about the ordinance, the CCPSA, and the Police District Councils at this ECPS information webpage.
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
