This Wednesday! Write Letters at the Nile
Do you feel alarmed at the prospect of a Trump presidency and GOP dominance in Congress and state legislatures? Here’s an easy and effective way to make a difference.
Indivisible Chicago-South Side is now writing Vote Forward letters to people in nearby states of Michigan and Wisconsin — both critical to this year’s election. Join us this Wednesday, March 20th, 6:00-8:00 pm at the Nile Restaurant (1162 E. 55th) — and same time/same place on Thursday, April 4thRSVP here.
How does it work? Our generous letter leader, Steve Kagan, brings pens, envelopes, and pre-printed letters for you to personalize to help get out the vote in key Wisconsin and Michigan districts. We get a plate of appetizers for the table, and you can purchase your own meal.
We encourage you to bring first-class stamps to donate, and you’re welcome to bring wine or beer to share. But the most important thing is to be there! RSVP here.
Can I also work on letters on my own? Yes! You can print and write as many letters as you like at home, on your own time. Just register for a free Vote Forward account, and you’ll get all the tools and information you need to print out your letters, learn how to personalize them, and send them off at the appointed time.
All you need are envelopes, paper, a printer, a pen, and first-class postage stamps.
PS If you’re writing letters on your own, let us know so we can include your name and your number of letters in the overall count for our group.
Activism 101: Jessica Craven Webinar
Are you struggling to find the ways you’ll make a difference to protect our democracy in 2024? Watch this webinar — Activism 101 — with Jessica Craven. Jessica writes Chop Wood, Carry Water, a weekday newsletter that provides easy, effective political actions you can take “to stave off despair, effect positive change, and elect more Democrats.”
Watch the Activism 101 webinar — important information for newbie activists and veterans alike.
Indivisible Chicago Alliance, Indivisible Evanston, and Indivisible Illinois hosted this informative and energizing webinar.
In Activism 101, Jessica Craven covers topics like writing letters and postcards to voters, phonebanking, relational organizing, donating strategically to campaigns, and more. Seriously – watch Activism 101.
Election Day: TOMORROW, Tues March 19
Haven’t voted yet? Tomorrow’s your last chance, so fill in and drop off your mail ballot… or plan your trip to the polls to vote in person.
Last Chance to Vote – Here’s Info
Still need to vote? You can! Mail in or drop off that mail ballot. (Find a drop box here. If using US mail, be sure your ballot is postmarked by March 19.)
Vote early at your convenience at any of the dozens of early voting sites across the city. Or vote tomorrow on Election Day.
In any case, tomorrow, Tuesday, March 19th is the LAST day you can vote.
Get ALL the voting info you need at the Chicago Board of Elections website.
Voting for Judges – Get the Guides
Here are judicial voting guides put out by other organizations.
- From Injustice Watch: Check Your Judges 2024
- From Vote for Judges.org: Judicial Election Guide 2024
What’s On Your Ballot?
To find out what’s on YOUR ballot, you can use one of these guides:
- League of Women Voters of Illinois: IllinoisVoterGuide.org
- Ballotpedia: Ballotpedia sample ballot tool
- Sun-Times/WBEZ voter guide: Voter Guide tool
- Blue Voter Guide: Build Your Guide
Bring Chicago Home: Volunteer Now
Final push: let’s get the Bring Chicago Home (BCH) referendum passed!
Act: Tell Voters About Bring Chicago Home
Today and tomorrow, step up and inform Chicago voters about the important Bring Chicago Home referendum (Ballot Question 1). Get on Zoom in the comfort of your home and phone Chicago voters together. Talk face to face with voters in your neighborhood or nearby. Either way, you get friendly training and support – both veterans & newbies are welcome!
Election Day, Tues. March 19, All hands on deck: Along with Bring Chicago Home leaders, talk to neighbors in person or by phone and encourage them to VOTE YES on Ballot Question 1. Our help on Election Day can make all the difference in how the election turns out. Find opportunities and sign up.
Vote YES on Ballot Question 1
On your ballot, you won’t see the words “Bring Chicago Home”; instead look for Ballot Question 1, which asks if you want to support affordable housing and supportive services, to be funded by adjusting the one-time Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT) so most people will pay less, while buyers of properties over $1million will pay more.
Find the actual wording for Ballot Question 1 in this WBEZ story.
Bring Chicago Home Resources
- Bring Chicago Home Coalition resource webpage
- Indivisible Chicago Alliance’s BCH fact sheet
Plan Your Actions: March 2024
It really is 2024. In this vital election year, Indivisible Chicago Alliance will be focusing on races in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois, as well as on Chicago’s Ballot Question 1. For ways to get involved, check ALL the March 2024 options on the Indivisible Chicago Alliance action calendar!
The calendar is a project of the citywide Indivisible Chicago Alliance and is curated by Wendy Posner.
Organizations & Opportunities
Indivisible Chicago-South Side shares information and actions from other organizations on issues important in our country, state, city, and communities.
Shelter Evictions Loom – Help for Migrants
From Borderless Magazine: For several months, Chicago’s shelter system has been mired in controversy… Despite the harsh conditions, migrants have relied on the shelter system to provide temporary housing as they navigate asylum and work permit applications.
Now, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration will start evicting residents as part of its 60-day shelter stay policy. Borderless explains what resources are available for migrants facing eviction.
Resources for Volunteers
While the Borderless article has information and resources for migrants themselves, it also links to organizations that you may wish to contact if you’re seeking volunteer opportunities.
- The nonprofit agencies listed on this IDHS page provide general services but also serve as Illinois Welcoming Centers; most are in Chicago.
- Find food pantries for all 77 Chicago official community areas, including Avalon Park, Chatham, Hyde Park, Kenwood, South Shore, and others.
- See the advocacy and service-connecting organization WelcomeToIL.org
And remember: There are organizations in Hyde Park-Kenwood that welcome volunteers and donations to help refugees and other new neighbors — one of them is the Hyde Park Refugee Project and the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club (here and here).
