IC-SS Weekly News: May 18, 2023
THURSDAY: Blue Thursday Political Hour
This Thursday, May 18, join the Indivisible Chicago Alliance (ICA) at the Hideout Inn, for this month’s Blue Thursday Political Happy Hour.
Hear from Eric Zorn (l) and Brandon Pope (r) on Blue Thursday May 18
Blue Thursdays are a great time to mingle, imbibe, and gossip about the political news of the day – and hear from local journalists and political leaders. Special guests for the May 18 Blue Thursday:
- Brandon Pope, WBEZ reporter and podcaster and host of Block Club’s program “On the Block Chicago” on WCIU 26
- Eric Zorn, opinion columnist of the Tribune, now sole proprietor of the Picayune Sentinel on Substack.
WHAT: Blue Thursday Political Happy Hour with special guests Brandon Pope and Eric Zorn (to be opened by Maura Kidwell of TimeLine Theatre)
WHEN: Thursday, May 18th, 6:00 pm (doors open at 5:00 pm)
WHERE: The Hideout Inn, 1354 W. Wabansia
WHO: Hosted by the Blue Beginning chapter of ICA
GET TIX: Free admission, open to all, but please sign up/get a ticket
MORE INFO: Facebook Event page
If you can’t attend, watch the livestream at Indivisible Chicago’s Facebook page, or catch the recording on WCPT, Chicago’s Progressive Talk.
Stay Informed: District Councils + CCPSA
In Chicago, the newly elected District Councils are beginning to hold public meetings in each of the city’s 22 police districts.
Meanwhile, the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA, or the Community Commission) is preparing to nominate candidates for police superintendent to the incoming mayor.
2nd District Council’s First Meeting
The 2nd District Council held its first public meeting last week at King College Prep. About 50 community members attended from the 2nd police district, which covers much of Bronzeville, Kenwood, Hyde Park, and Washington Park. Read about the meeting in this Hyde Park Herald story.
Julia Kline, Alexander Perez, Ephraim Lee – Members of 2nd District Council at the May meeting
Our newly elected District Councilors are Alexander Perez (Chair), Julia Kline (Community Engagement Officer), and Ephraim Lee (Nominating Committee Officer). All are eager to increase public safety and police accountability by working with the community and nominating people to serve on the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA).
Here are two ways to keep up with the work of the 2nd District Council:
- 2nd District Council website
- 2nd District council webpage at City of Chicago website
Save the date! The next public meeting of the 2nd District Council will be Thursday, June 15, with time and place to be announced.
Chicago’s 22 District Councils: Resources
Reminder: the District Councilors we recently elected are members of our community. Find out which police district you are in, then connect with the District Council for your district.
Visit the City of Chicago webpage on District Councils:
- At top of webpage, read the responsibilities for the District Councils.
- In middle, click link to check which police district you live in.
- At bottom, scroll to the list of the 22 District Councils by number – find your district number, then click on the link for info, meetings, and more for YOUR District Council.
Wondering why there are 22 districts but the district numbers go up to 25? Some numbers are skipped, eg there’s no 13th or 21st district. Let us know if you dig up the history of the numbering!
Share Your Opinion on Choosing CPD Supt.
Mayor Johnson has named Fred Waller to serve as interim Chicago police superintendent.
Ultimately, the mayor must choose a permanent CPD superintendent from a list of nominees to be compiled by the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA, or the Community Commission). What should the Commission be looking for in a superintendent?
Share your opinion! To tell the CCPSA what YOU want in in a CPD superintendent, fill in the CCPSA survey.
Rep. Jackson’s 100-Days Town hall
Last week, Congressman Jonathan Jackson, IL-01, held a town hall in honor of his first 100 days in office. Rep. Jackson spoke to a full room at IBEW, Local 134 on King Drive.
Rep. Jackson said he’s working to prevent the defunding of our government and defaulting on our debt. He detailed legislation he supports in favor of teachers, unions, gun-violence prevention, reparations, abortion care, ERA, preventing child labor, and more.
In the1st district, his priorities are “groceries and gun violence prevention,” and he expects institutions like the Obama Center, the University of Chicago, and the Museum of Science and Industry to play a powerful role in strengthening communities.
Stephanie Collins, Betsy Rubin, Sarah Lincoln, Teri Watkins, Julia Kline at town hall
Rep Jackson responded to community questions submitted in advance and also gave local political leaders, including alders, Cook County Commissioners, District Councilors, and others an opportunity to speak to the community. For more info on Rep. Jackson’s town hall:
- Read this story from Chicago Tribune.
- Watch the recorded livestream of the town hall.
Learn about Rep. Jackson at his Congressional website. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook.
Attending UWF Post-Election Event
Last Friday, in collaboration with many community-organizing groups, United Working Families of Illinois, held a celebration of the election of Brandon Johnson, who TODAY becomes Chicago’s Mayor!
The event also saluted the election of many progressive alders as well as district councilors. Panelists from UWF, GoodKids MadCity, Treatment Not Trauma, SEIU, Southeast Environmental Task Force, and other groups emphasized the importance of moving forward both with community organizing and electoral politics. Stay active!
Teri Watkins of IC-SS with Oscar Sanchez of SE Environmental Task Force
Organizations and OpportunitiesIndivisible Chicago-South Side shares information and actions from other organizations on issues important in our country, state, city, and communities.
Support Asylum Seekers in Chicago We’ll look to our incoming Mayor and City Council to address ways to ensure Chicago remains a welcoming city. Right now, many migrants are sleeping in police stations because there is nowhere else to go.
Let’s do what we can to make sure today’s asylum seekers have basic clothing and necessities. See the announcements below.
——————
From Open Collective: We are the Chicago Police Station Response Team – a network of volunteers meeting the needs of recently arrived asylum seekers sheltering in police stations.Since August of 2022, over 8000 migrants have arrived in Chicago – some on buses sent by border states and some on their own by bus or plane. Recently, due to lack of available shelter space, these men, women, and children have been sent to police stations and other very temporary shelters while they wait for space in other more appropriate facilities. Many of their right-now needs are being met by community-organized volunteer networks.
TO LEARN MORE AND TO DONATE: See the Chicago Police Station Response Team webpage on the Open Collective website.——————From the City of Chicago + Instituto del Progreso Latino: Chicago has stepped up to shelter as many migrants as possible, but these vulnerable families need our help with basic necessities. The city is asking for residents to consider donating to local non-profit Instituto’s Amazon wishlist.
Newsletter Notes
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Co-Leaders: Sarah Lincoln, Esther Peters,
Betsy Rubin, Teri Watkins
About: Group & Co-Leader Statements
