OUR LEADERSHIP & DGTDO OFFICE SUPPORT |
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MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR - DECEMBER EDITION
By Kim Savage, DGTDO Chair
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It is already mid-December, a time when we are usually starting to hibernate for the winter, enjoy some special moments with family and friends, or prepare to travel to a warmer climate until spring arrives. Many of us have been hibernating for 9 months now, and while the end is in sight, it will be many more months before we can venture out into the world and meet with our Democratic friends in person. The good news is that the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine are shipping as I write this.
We are all relieved that within a few short weeks, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will officially take leadership of the country. We all worked hard to make it happen, but that is not the end, it is just the beginning. Please make sure to stay engaged, as we gear up to elect our Democratic slate to the Downers Grove Township Government on April 6. We need everyone to commit to promote the slate to everyone in the township (yes, even you in Hinsdale and Burr Ridge!). To my knowledge, there has never been a Democrat elected to that body since it was established in 1849. A special thanks to the candidates who are representing us in this race and to all of you who took time out to attend the caucus where they were nominated. We do need to raise funds to make this campaign successful, so please donate as you are able.
We will be rolling out the campaign soon, but in the meantime, we can all be engaged in helping elect Jon Ossoff and Rev. Warnock to the Senate in the Georgia run-off election. We still have postcards that need to be written to Georgia voters, you can call voters, or you can donate directly to the campaigns.
Although we are not able to gather for events or for group activities in our office, we still operate with volunteers and are open six days per week. We owe our thanks to the volunteers who are available to assist people with questions or concerns. We need to pay rent and keep the lights on, so we do appreciate the regular donations that have been pledged to support this important resource. Please help us fund this important resource for our Democratic community.
Until next month, I wish you all a peaceful and happy holiday season and a joyous New Year as we enter 2021. Stay connected and stay safe.
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Send checks to DGTDO, PO Box 785,
Downers Grove 60515
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SUPPORT DGTDO OFFICE AND HELP ELECT DEMOCRATS! |
We continue in this time of the COVID-19 crisis to applaud the efforts of our doctors, nurses, health care professionals, health care support staff, fire fighters, EMTs, police, letter carriers, sanitation workers, teachers, store clerks, food production employees, farmers, and everyone else who makes it possible for us to care for those who are ill and those who are isolated at home.
While we are not meeting in person or out knocking on doors, our work continues. In addition to social media and email, we will be doing more outreach through the U.S. Mail. We must also continue to pay for our office rent and utilities.
The benefit of having our office can’t be overstated. It is instrumental in having a central location to coordinate the efforts of our candidates, Precinct Committeepeople and volunteers; having a drop off and pick up location; a place for voters to stop in when they have questions; and much more. We were very successful in the November election in electing and re-electing Democrats up and down the ballot. And Democrats are now the majority on the DuPage County Board and the DuPage Forest Preserve.
If you are a monthly supporter, we appreciate your ongoing commitment to the organization. We also appreciate the annual checks that we have received from some of our special donors. We hope that everyone will continue to donate to fund our work during these vital election years. Our priorities will shift from Federal, State, and County election to the local Municipal and Township elections in 2021. Local government has the most impact on our day-to-day lives. Our priorities will be on voter outreach and engagement to elect more elected officials who believe in and support Democratic values.
It is our job to help get voters to the polls and we welcome your support. Here are links to online donation opportunities:
Send checks to DGTDO, PO Box 785,
Downers Grove 60515
Thank you for your continued support!
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Set up your team:
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Join the fun:
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JOIN US FOR A EVENING OF TRIVIA AND FUN. |
As is our tradition, there will not be a monthly DGTDO meeting in December. However, all are welcome to join us for a virtual trivia holiday party. There is no charge to play, but we will welcome online donations to help support the office and our slate of township candidates. Feel free to make up a team with your friends, or we will make up one for you so you make new friends. The game will probably take about 1-1/2 to 2 hours to play. DGTDO will be paying Chicago Trivia Guys per connection, so you only need to sign up once for your household (unless you are playing on different teams).
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Send "thank you for voting" notes to voters in your precinct. To request a list of voters, email Paul Farber at [email protected]
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PC CORNER - DECEMBER 2020.
By Chris Hotchkin
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We precinct committeepersons are busy year-round! Now might be a good time to take a little break—enjoy your family, do some baking and gift-wrapping. But—you can still write some post cards to Georgia while enjoying a cup of cheer!
Here are some activities to anticipate leading up to the Consolidated Election in April 2021:
January
If you have not yet sent postcards to your voters in the November 2020 Election, thanking them for voting, this will be a nice time to do that. Paul Farber can create a list for you.
Note that DuPage County voter registration is closed between January 26 and February 25. Online voter registration closes February 7. This is because some municipalities may have a primary election end of February. We will not have a primary for the Township Election because we held a party Caucus in early December to select our excellent slate of candidates for Downers Grove Township government.
Attend DGTDO monthly meeting, likely virtual.
February
Help local candidates—municipal, school board, and especially our Township slate. If they are doing phone calling or canvassing, be ready to chip in.
Attend our monthly meeting of the Downers Grove Township Democrats.
Learn about local issues facing our township and your municipality and school board.
Voter registration re-opens February 25.
March
Consider holding a coffee or wine and cheese get together perhaps on your patio (pandemic and weather permitting!). Invite local candidates and invite the Democratic voters in your precinct to meet them.
Write your precinct letter for the Consolidated Election. Remind your voters that they can request Vote by Mail ballots. Early Voting begins March 10.
Take your precinct letter door to door or mail it to your Democratic households.
DuPage County voter registration closes March 9 but Grace Period registration begins. Online Registration ends March 21, but voters can continue to register at Early Voting locations, and can register in their polling place on Election Day.
Attend meeting of DGTDO.
April
Get Out the Vote! The Consolidated Election is April 6.
Find out who of your voters has voted early or by mail. Contact those who have not yet voted and remind them how important it is to vote in local elections.
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IT'S GEORGIA POSTCARD WRITING TIME. |
We need to Get Out the Vote in Georgia for the January 5, 2021 runoff election. The Senate majority is hanging in the balance. To neutralize Mitch and to be able to get things done, we need these 2 Democratic Senators elected! We can do it!
Thank you to all of those who have written thousands of postcards for DGTDO. Stop by DGTDO office and pick up Postcards to Georgia. Voter addresses and instructions are included. Good news is the message is short! Postcards are to be mailed between December 26 to 28. Office hours are:
- Monday - Thursday, 1:30 to 6:00 pm
- Friday. 2:00 to 6:00 pm
- Saturday, 9:00 am to noon
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SUPPORT DG TOWNSHIP BUSINESSES |
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DEMOCRATIC-FRIENDLY BUSINESSES DIRECTORY. |
During this difficult time, we continue to encourage everyone to support their local businesses.
DGTDO is compiling a list of "Democratic Friendly" businesses in DuPage County, and we are asking for your help.
Our goal is to create a directory to share and encourage support for these businesses. If you know of businesses that support our democratic values and should be included in the directory, fill out this form https://forms.gle/vDj9BZ9Pz1audUrD6.
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2021 DG TOWNSHIP ELECTION |
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Make a donation to support our
Township Candidate Slate:
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DG TOWNSHIP DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS, DECEMBER 1. |
Thanks to all of the DG Democrats who participated in our caucus to select candidates for the township government offices. The caucus is held every four years in preparation for the Consolidated Election in April. As a rule, the caucus is held in person, however this year, due to concerns about COVID-19, we were able to allow most participants to attend virtually per Governor Pritzker's Executive Order 2020-73.
A special thanks goes to the candidates who accepted nominations and to the people who were present in the office to make sure that we operated smoothly, efficiently, and legally. These include Caucus Secretary Beth Brownson; Caucus Election Judges Phil Ladner, Chris Hotchkin, and Sue Sitton; Nominator Julia Beckman; and Paul Farber who provided Technical Support.
Our candidates are:
- Maryann Vazqez,Township Supervisor
- Mary Lemanski, Township Clerk
- Tom Chlystek,Township Highway Commissioner
- Gail Cabala-Lowry, Township Trustee
- Gerry Kirschbaum, Township Trustee
- Janet Winningham, Township Trustee
- Bonnie Wayman Dodd, Township Trustee
Please stay tuned for information about how you can help get this slate elected!
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DOWNERS GROVE TOWNSHIP - ONE OF 1432.
By Joanna Williams
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First established in 1849, the Illinois township as a level of local government has a long and controversial history – at issue is whether townships are an important unit of government and should continue to exist, or should they be eliminated and their services and responsibilities be assumed by cities and/or counties.
Illinois currently has 1432 townships, each governed by an elected Township board which consists of a Supervisor and four other Trustees.
Townships in Illinois have 3 main legal functions:
- Administer general welfare assistance
- Evaluate property for taxes
- Maintain roads and bridges outside of federal, state and other local jurisdictions.
DuPage County has 9 townships and Downers Grove Township is the largest in both area and population.
The DG township officers and duties are:
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Township Clerk – maintain the township records, administer oaths, take the minutes at Board meetings, file required county and state forms.
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Supervisor – serve as the Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chief Executive Officer and manage the financial and day to day activities of the township.
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Trustee – represent the general public and govern the programs and services for township residents. Determine, allocate and oversee expenditure of public funds.
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Highway Commissioner – maintain the 70 miles of roads in unincorporated Downers Grove Township.
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Assessor –determine the market value of most property within the township for use in the Illinois property tax system.
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2021 CONSOLIDATED ELECTION |
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MUNICIPAL, SCHOOL BOARD, LIBRARY BOARD, PARK DISTRICT OFFICES |
Next month we will list candidates who have filed to run for the following offices. Thanks to all who have stepped up to run for office.
Library
- Clarendon Hills Library Trustee (4)
- Hinsdale Library Trustee (4)
- Indian Prairie Public Library District Trustee (2)
- Westmont Library Trustee (3)
- Woodridge Library Board Member (2)
Village / City
- Burr Ridge Village Mayor, Clerk, Trustee (3)
- Clarendon Hills Village Trustee (3)
- Darien City Alderman Ward 1, Ward 3, Ward 5, Ward 7
- Downers Grove Village Commissioner (3)
- Oak Brook Village Trustee (3)
- Westmont Village Mayor, Clerk, Trustees (3)
- Woodridge Village Mayor, Clerk, Trustees (2)
Park District
- Downers Grove Park Commissioner (2)
- Darien Park District (2 or 3)
- Golf View Hills Park Commissioner
- Lemont Park District Commissioner
- Westmont Park District Commissioner (3)
- Woodridge Park District Commissioner (2)
Board of Education
- Butler School District 53 Board of Education Member 4 year (4)
- COD District 502 Trustee (3)
- Community Consolidated School District 180 Board of Education Member (4)
- Community High School District 99 Board of Education Member (4)
- Community Unit School District 201 Board of Education Member (2)
- Darien Public School District 61 Board of Education Member (3)
- Downers Grove Grade School District 58 Board of Education Member (4)
- DuPage County Regional Board of School Trustee (2)
- Gower School District 62 Board of Education Member (5)
- Hinsdale Township High School District 86 Board of Education Member (4)
- Lemont Township 210 Unit School District Board Member (3)
- Lemont- Bromberek Combined School District 113A (3)
- Maercker School District 60 Board of Education Member (3)
- Woodridge School District 68 Board of Education Member (3)
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MORE EVENTS AND RESOURCES |
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WE THE PEOPLE CONSTITUTION DISCUSSION GROUP (Virtual)
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WE'RE BACK!
MARK YOU CALENDAR!
Tuesday, January 12
6:30 or 7:00 p.m.
DETAILS TO FOLLOW
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PEACE! TOASTMASTERS
1ST FRIDAY 6:30-8:30PM
3RD SUNDAY 3:00-5:00pm
DUPAGE DEMOCRATS OFFICE
CURRENTLY MEETING VIRTUALLY
- Improve your impromptu speaking
- Learn to articulate your message clearly
- Learn to use feedback to improve performance
- Try out new ideas
- Vent with like-minded people
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By the beginning of the year, we will have candidate information for the 2021 Consolidated Election on the website.
On the Home Page, scroll down to see a list of events that that will take place in our DGTDO Office. Upcoming events that may be of interest are updated regularly on the website. If there is an event you would like added, let us know.
Our goal is to make the website more useful to everyone including voters, precinct committeemen, and people looking to get involved in our democratic efforts.
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THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING TO DO & WAYS TO HELP. |
Left Out – DuPage Area is a unique local Facebook group that serves as an informational clearinghouse for all Democratic leaning - progressive events occurring in and around DuPage County. It has over 2,700 followers.
Left Out DuPage is a great way to find events in the area. Also, if you have a progressive event, you can post it. On a weekly basis, Left-Out - DuPage Area searches Facebook for events hosted by local campaigns and grassroots organizations and reposts them to their followers. It is volunteer-run and has no affiliation with any organization or campaign.
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White House: (202) 456-1111
Click on GET INVOLVED in the blue header
Dept of Justice: (202) 353-1555
Congressional Switchboard for Both Houses: (202) 224-3121
Local offices if Washington office is busy:
Sen. Dick Durbin (312) 353-4952
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (312) 886-3506
Rep. Sean Casten 202-225-4561, 630-520-9450
Rep. Mike Quigley (773) 267-5926
Rep. Bill Foster (630) 585-7672
Rep. Dan Lipinski (708) 242-0853
NEED TO MAKE SURE THE GOP LEADERSHIP HEARS YOU?
State of IL: JB Pritzker:
(217) 782-0244
State Sen Suzy Glowiak
(217) 782-8148, Local TBD
Rep Deanne Mazzochi
(217) 782-1448, (630) 852-8633
State Sen John Curran
(630) 796-2623, (217) 82-9407
State Rep Jim Durkin
(217) 782-0494, (630) 325-2028
State Rep Anne Stava-Murray
(217) 782-6578 , 630-605-0595
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Contact the corporate media too!
ABC News: (212) 456-7777
CBS News: (212) 975-3247
NBC and MSNBC News (212) 664-4444
CNN (404) 827-1500
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DGTDO OFFICE HOURS:
November / December 2020
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DGTDO Office
(PO Box 785)
908 Curtiss, Downers Grove
630-297-8600
Office Open with Phase 3 Guidelines. BE SAFE!!
Monday 1:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday 1:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday 1:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday 1:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Friday 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
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Upcoming Events and Key Election Dates
Types of events: DGTDO, Candidate, Education / Issues, “Be Active”, Organization Meeting
Updated December 15, 2020
Recurring Events
DGTDO Office (Virtual)
Saturdays, 10:00 to 11:00 am
DGTDO Office
VIRTUAL Coffee and Chat
DGTDO Office Hours
Saturdays, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
DGTDO Office (for dropping off and picking up materials)
908 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove
DECEMBER 2020
December 15 (Tuesday), 7:00 to 8:00 pm
Townhall – Sean Casten
Virtual Meeting
December 15 (Tuesday), 6:00 to 8:00 pm
GA Twitterstorm
(hosted by: NWSOFA, Indivisible Illinois
Virtual Meeting
December 16 (Wednesday), 7:00 to 9:00 pm
DGTDO HOLIDAY PARTY
Virtual Meeting
December 17 (Thursday), 6:00 to 7:00 pm
Indivisible Naperville Monthly Meeting
Virtual Meeting
December 18 (Friday), 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Zoom Postcard Writing Party
Virtual Meeting
December 20 (Sunday), 3:00 to 5:00 pm
PEACE Toastmasters Meeting (1st Fridays, 3rd Sundays)
Virtual Meeting
JANUARY 2021
January 1* (Friday), 6:00 to 9:00 pm (*check for date change)
PEACE Toastmasters Meeting (1st Fridays, 3rd Sundays)
Virtual Meeting
January 12 (Tuesday), 6:30 to 8:00 pm
We the People Constitution Discussion Group
Virtual Meeting
Details to follow
January 13 (Wednesday), 7:30 to 9:00 pm
DGTDO Monthly Meeting (2nd Wednesday)
Virtual Meeting
January 16 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
DWDC Virtual Brunch and Annual Meeting
Virtual Meeting
Details to follow
January 17 (Sunday), 3:00 to 5:00 pm
PEACE Toastmasters Meeting (1st Fridays, 3rd Sundays)
Virtual Meeting
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