NTD NEWS   January 10, 2018
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pepperoni_pizza.jpg Last Sunday, was a day full of motivation and inspiration for a lot of us progressive political junkies. The experience started in the afternoon at J.P.'s Pizza and Grill in Wilmette and its momentum didn't let up until after 10:00 Sunday night way out in Los Angeles.
     At 1pm Sunday, a number of New Trier Dems and friends gathered near 4th and Linden for Committeeman Dean Maragos' annual "Thank You Pizza Party." It was, as usual, a lively event. The place was packed with veteran grassroots volunteers as well as enthusiastic newcomers to NTD activism. The conversations began as soon as you entered the door and only ceased, temporarily, when Dean introduced the office holders and candidates who then spoke to the crowd.
     First up was our U.S. Congresswoman, Jan Schakowsky, whose comments immediately fired up everyone. Jan has spent years in Washington working with office holders and activists of every sort from every part of our country. She has been involved for decades in the fight for equal treatment for every American citizen. Her participation in history-changing movements dates back to the '60's.
     So what are her observations on how things stand today? She said she believes the mobilization of women (and many supportive men) that began with the Women's March the day after Trump's inauguration is now "bigger than the Tea Party ever was." And it continues "undiminished." The Weinstein scandal, the "Me too" movement, the "Time's up" ultimatum have just added momentum to what began that day. She said the energy and activity she's seeing now is "bigger than the Tea Party, bigger than the civil rights movement, bigger than the Vietnam protests." - That's big!
     She believes there is now a grassroots force with the power to start a wave of victories, winning a Democratic majority in both houses of Congress next November. As she put it, "I don't see the total wave yet but I'm starting to see the mist."
     Another early speaker was New Trier's present 17th District State Rep., Laura Fine. Laura is leaving that role and is our Democratic candidate for State Senator to replace Senator Daniel Biss who is running for Governor. I was especially taken by one of her comments summing up the disastrous years we've experienced under Rauner. She said "in past years the focus of Springfield legislators was to develop laws aimed at helping Illinois citizens. But all of 2017was spent just passing laws designed to protect our state from its own governor!"
     This is not the way a state is supposed to function.
     Following Laura, we heard from an impressive lineup of Democrats, mostly candidates, who gave all of us further reason to be optimistic about this upcoming Mid-term Election Year. You can hear them speak again, this Sunday, January 14 at the Winnetka Community House, NTDO's Endorsement Session.  
     At the Session, each candidate will briefly present their reasons for running, their positions on key issues and their goals if elected. They will each have three minutes to speak. (For perspective, the Gettysburg Address was delivered in less time than that). The 1pm start time means you should arrive thirty minutes before that to sign in, get your voting material and find a seat.
     But as I said at the start of the commentary, the politically inspirational activity didn't end Sunday afternoon. If any of you watched the Golden Globe Awards Sunday night, you saw a big display of that energized activism that Representative Schakowsky referred to. Like Jan, over my many years I have seen movements develop, awareness grow, priorities clarify and positive changes established. And I have seen actions take place that, only months earlier, were completely unexpected. - The months of rumblings after the Watergate break-in lead to a really historic surprise. (Like Russia collusion rumblings?) 
     So now I'm seeing women formidably organizing across our country like never before; thousands of women stepping forward to run for elected office at every government level. Their response over the past year, and particularly in the past six months to the reign of Trump, Pence, McConnell and Ryan fills me with optimism. -- The new Republican women candidates defending a 1950's mentality, not so much.
     Sunday night, Oprah Winfrey's award acceptance speech brought down the house. There was so much in what she said that resonated with, I believe, the majority of Americans whatever their race or gender, and all the other identifiers I could list. Her words were inspiring and motivating. In fact, replaying a video of her speech every few weeks as we ring doorbells or work phone banks in the coming months might be rejuvenating.
     Now, as usually happens when a great speech is seen by millions, there is talk of Oprah running for President in 2020. Personally, I'm not ready to support another "civilian" aspiring for high office who's never been elected to anything before. Witness Trump and Rauner. (Although if President Winfrey could reach out to Kim Jong Un with a free Weight Watchers program and he developed a buff new body, it just might lead to world peace. Who knows?)
     See you at the Endorsement Meeting on Sunday.
 
                                                                        Nels Howard
                                                                        NTDO member since 1973 
 
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One of the exciting activities we will be pursuing across the state line in 2018
will be to help the Democratic candidate for Congress, Randy Bryce, defeat Wisconsin's Congressman Paul Ryan.
This is going to be a hard fought campaign and Randy Bryce can win it. To see his first campaign message click here.  
 
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Are your NTD annual dues up to date? You can only vote at the January 14 Endorsement Meeting if you are paid up. -- You can join the NTDO or renew your membership right now by clicking here.  
 
Or now you also have the option of paying for your annual membership at the January 14 Meeting. New members too! (However, paying up right now does make things much easier for us.)  
 
And... if you would like to be a volunteer the January 14 Endorsement meeting, your help would be welcomed. Contact the NTD office at 847-446-8030 and leave a message.
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The New Trier Dems Endorsement Meeting
This Sunday, January 14 -- 1:00-5:00pm
The Winnetka Community House
620 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka, IL


It's time to hear presentations from and vote for your preferred candidates at the New Trier Dems Endorsement Meeting in Winnetka. This event will begin promptly at 1:00 pm, so be sure to arrive early to give yourself plenty of time to sign in and pick up your packet of ballots.      

In order to vote at the  Endorsement Meeting, y ou MUST be a current paid NTDO member, be of voting age by the time of the March 20 primary  AND  live in New Trier Township  (former New Trier Township residents who have maintained their NTDO membership will also be eligible to vote). 

If you've let your membership dues lapse or want to sign up as a new member, you may pay your dues at the door.   However, we strongly encourage you to sign up online before Sunday to help ensure that we can check everyone in as quickly as possible.  If you would like to renew your membership or become a new member now, please click on  the  Join/Contribute page of our website. See you Sunday!

Note: The NTDO Endorsement Meeting will not be held until January 14, 2018. Until formal endorsements are made, fund raising events announced in the NTD News concerning candidates competing in Democratic Primary Races do not represent a formal endorsement by the NTDO.

Other events of interest:
 
Thursday, Jan. 11 in Wilmette - Weekly Phone Bank for Daniel Biss

When: Thursday, January 11, 2018 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm
Where: Panera Bread, 1199 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette
What: Phone bank for progressive gubernatorial candidate Daniel Biss. You will be talking to voters about Daniel. All you need to bring is a phone, and his campaign will provide other materials.

Thursday, Jan. 11 in Wilmette - Fundraiser for Candance Chow, Candidate for Illinois House 17th District

When: Thursday, January 11, 2018 from 7:00pm until 9:00pm
Where: The home of  Amy McJoynt, 427 8th Street, Wilmette
What: Join other supporters for An Evening With Candance Chow, Candidate for Illinois House 17th District.  Suggested Donations are: Host $1,000;  Benefactor $500;  Supporter $250; Friend $100 and Guest $50. Please  RSVP online here or with questions to  Gabe Frankel at (773) 240-3314 or  [email protected].

Saturday, Jan. 13 in Skokie - Jan Schakowsky's "Tax Scam Teach-In"

When: Saturday, January 13, 2018 from 10:30am to 12:00PM
Where: Skokie Public Library - Auditorium, 5215 Oakton Street, Skokie
What: Hear from Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and Illinois experts on how the Republican tax scam will impact you and your community. In December, Republicans passed their $1.5 trillion tax giveaway to corporations and the super-wealthy without a single Democratic vote. The bill's tax cuts for the rich will blow a hole in the federal budget, putting important investments and essential programs (including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid) at risk. Americans will see health insurance premiums rise, and over half of middle-class households could see a tax increase by 2027. Find out more about what to expect in the months and years ahead. For more information or to register for this event,   please visit their event page.

Saturday, Jan. 13 in WIlmette - JB For Governor's Canvass Kick-Off

When: Saturday, January 13, 2018 from 1:00pm until 4:00pm
Where: Panera, 1199 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette
What:  You are invited to JB for Governor's Canvass Kick-Off! With less than 70 days until the Primary Election, now is the time to get involved to help build a winning grassroots movement. JB for Governor will unite and mobilize every corner of the state by knocking on doors to bring JB's message of a future Illinois that works for all of us! If you are interested or would like more information,  please fill out this form . JB's campaign is excited to see you. Feel free to bring friends and family!

Saturday, Jan. 13 in Wilmette - Weekly Canvass for Daniel Biss

When: Saturday, January 13, 2018 from 1:00pm until 4:00pm
Where: Starbucks, 739 Green Bay Road, Wilmette
What: Knock on doors in the area for progessive gubernatorial candidate Daniel Biss. You will be meeting at the Starbucks on Green Bay for a quick training and then going out to canvass.

Saturday, Jan. 20 in Chicago - Women's March Chicago - March With New Trier Dems
 
When: Saturday, January 20, 2018 - Music & video at 9:00am; Rally starting at 11:00am; March at 12:30pm -  New Trier Dems will meet at 9:30am at the Wilmette Linden CTA station
Where: Congress and Columbus, Chicago - New Trier Dems will met at 9:30am at the Wilmette Linden CTA station
WhatJoin New Trier Dems at the Women's March Chicago on January 20, 2018 for March to the Polls, the Second Annual Women's March Chicago. " The January 21, 2017 Chicago march was powerful. 250,000 women and allies showed up in Chicago to raise their voices for issues each of us hold dear. That historic day embodied the ongoing fight for women's rights.  We march on!" Visit  the Women's March Chicago website for more event details, volunteer information, and ways to donate.  If you would like to march with New Trier Dems, you can  RSVP here. We look forward to marching with you!


Sunday, Jan. 21 in Skokie - Open Communities' Second Justice Summit 2018

When: Sunday, January 21, 2018 from 1:45pm until 5:15pm
Where: Oakton Community College, Skokie Campus, 7701 Lincoln Avenue, Skokie, Illinois
What: Open Communities invites you to its Second Justice Summit for residents and community activists in the northern suburbs. This is an opportunity to learn and organize under the Principles of the Welcoming Community to become more accessible, safe and engaged. You will have an opportunity to participate in workshops on: Housing Rights, Low Wage Workers Rights, Immigration and Racial Justice, Organizing and Civic Engagement, and Social Identity and Cultural Competence
. For more information, please visit Open Communities' event page for the Second Justice Summit.
 
Sunday, Jan. 21 in Northbrook - JCAST Chicago Presents "I am Jane Doe" Movie Discussion and Panel
 
When: Sunday, January 21, from 2:00 - 5:00pm
Where: Northbrook Library, 1201 Cedar Lane, Northbrook
What: JCAST Chicago (Jewish Coalition Against Sex Trafficking) and co-sponsors The National Council of Jewish Women and Northbrook Library present a showing of "I am Jane Doe," a documentary film about sex trafficking. A panel discussion after the movie includes Marian Hatcher, Cook County Sheriff's Office and Professor Carina H. Santa Maria, MSW, LCSW of Dominican University.  Joining the panel will be Yvonne Ambrose, mother of a Chicago teen murdered by her purchaser after he bought her on Backpage.com, and her attorney, Arquilla Deboni.
Attendees are asked to please bring toiletries to the event for survivors of sex trafficking.
For additional information or to RSVP, register online .
 
Sunday afternoon, Jan. 28 in Skokie -  
The Capitol Steps in Skokie with Tenth Dems.
 
When: Sunday, January 28, at 2:00pm
Where: North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie
What: Join Tenth Dems at a performance of "Orange is the New Barack" by the political satire comedy troupe, The Capitol Steps. Tickets are just $50 each, a few dollars less than the cost of buying from the box office ($48.00 + $5.00 fee).
For additional information or to RSVP, register online,  
or email [email protected] or call 847-266-vote (8683)
  
Here is a list of the local and statewide Democratic candidates seeking your vote in the 2018 Primary Election. Get acquainted with the candidates' positions and qualifications before the Democratic Primary this spring and the NTDO Endorsement Meeting on January 14. 
 
Because some web browsers will not accept e-mailings with a large number of Internet links, we cannot provide them here.
 

Illinois Governor:
Chris Kennedy
JB Pritzker
Bob Daiber
Tio Hardiman
Robert Marshall
Daniel Biss, State Senator 9th District

Illinois Attorney General:
Jesse Ruiz, Board of Commisioners, Park District
Kwame Raoul, IL State Senator13th District  
Nancy Rotering, Mayor of Highland Park
Aaron Goldstein, 33rd Ward Committeeman
Scott Drury, IL State Rep, 58th District
Renato Mariotti
Sharon Fairley
Pat Quinn, former Illinois Governor

Illinois State Representative -
17th District:
Candance Chow
Theresa Coomer
Alexandra Eidenberg
Mary Rita Luecke
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
Pete Dagher

58th District:
Bob Morgan

Cook County Assessor:
Frederick (Fritz) Kaegi

Cook County Commissioner - 13th District
Larry Suffredin
 
Your Legislators:


Legislators Democratic Legislators
who represent New Trier Township in 
Washington, Springfield and Cook County 
 



You'll be hearing a lot from these exceptional public servants. --

And they want to be hearing a lot from you. 
     The fact is, they need to hear from you and want to hear from you in order to represent you most effectively. So, the first thing you can do is get to know who these people are. The links below to their campaign websites are a good place to start. 
 
Jan Schakowsky , 9th U.S. Congressional District Representative  and Chief Deputy House Democratic Whip. The new Ninth District boundaries include all of New Trier except for Glencoe. 

Brad Schneider , 10th U.S. Congressional District Representative which includes a number of precincts in Glencoe.
     
Daniel Biss,   State Senator for Illinois' 9th State Senate District.The Ninth District includes all of New Trier Township.
  
Julie MorrisonState Senator for Illinois' 29th State Senate District. The district includes New Trier's northernmost precincts.   

Robyn Gabel, IL 18th District State Representative. The 18th District includes much of New Trier up to Hazel Avenue and Dundee Road.
 
Laura Fine , IL 17th District State Representative.
The 17th District includes the East Glenview and West Wilmette areas of New Trier Township.

Scott Drury IL 58th District State Representative. 
The 58th District includes the northernmost precincts in Glencoe.

Larry Suffredin, Cook County 13th District Commissioner. The 13th District includes all of New Trier, Evanston and Niles Townships. 
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Have you visited Senator Biss' website "The Road Back" --
click on the link to his video -- then, throughout the year follow his plan's development on the website.

Daniel explains a lot about how Illinois got where it is today and how we can begin the journey on the road back toward achieving our state's tremendous economic potential.

Dear Fellow Democrats, 

If you are not already an NTDO member, and enjoy our Newsletter, we hope you consider joining us as a dues-paying member. NTDO is a not-for-profit political action organization. We depend on our membership dues to support our Democratic causes and candidates.

There are two options for dues payments: by check or credit card.

 

By Check: Make check payable to NTDO and mail to our office:

NTDO

800 Oak St., Suite 112

Winnetka, IL 60093

OR

By Credit Card: visit our website by clicking  here 

Click on the "Join/Contribute" button

Find the link for "contribute with ActBlue"
or go directly to ActBlue by clicking here. 
Still not a member of the New Trier Dems? Your participation in grassroots political action will make a difference. -- Come join us.

When you're a member of the New Trier Democratic Organization, you have an active role in affecting the political process; participating in grassroots campaigns, staying in touch with elected officials, playing a role in deciding which candidates are endorsed. You'll also gain free admission to select forums and events throughout the year.

Come be a part of New Trier's grassroots political community.    
About Us:
The New Trier Democratic Organization is made up of hundreds of grassroots volunteers dedicated to advancing progressive ideals through the political process. We welcome your participation.

Sincerely,
Dean T. Maragos, Committeeman New Trier Township

We are located at 800 Oak Street, Suite 112, in Winnetka, IL. Ph: 847-446-8030
Contact: [email protected].

*This Internet communication paid for by the New Trier Democratic Organization and  not authorized by any federal or state candidate or campaign committee. A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is available for purchase from the State Board of Elections in Springfield, Illinois.