Idealism -- Integrity -- Independence
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NTD NEWS    July 25, 2018
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  Commentary     --   Events     --   Your Legislators 

Commentary: 

Last weekend I spent a few hours at Wilmette's Summerfest street fair. Besides enjoying the community fun, I was there to share public outreach duties at the New Trier Dems' info table. We offered literature from our Democratic candidates and helpful information from Democrats in office. But mostly we were there to engage the passersby, acquaint them with our organization and, for those who showed interest, get them involved in the upcoming mid-term battle.  
     As with past street fairs, we used a straw poll to attract pedestrians. The polls have always been extremely simple - a list of five or six short questions with a choice of very general answers. Personal comments are welcomed too. And as with past polls, the results are always tabulated and sent to local newspapers for publication.  
     Over the years, we've had straw polls featuring a range of topics. But this year's poll seemed to be especially attractive to participants. Basically we asked the public how they feel about President Trump's performance. Soon after arriving at the NTD table, I began using this pitch to attract people: "Would you like to take a straw poll and give your opinion on the job our President is doing?"  
     Upon hearing my question, a hefty percentage of the passersby would laugh and say something like, "You don't want to hear what I have to say about that!" But of course we did. So, they would then take a minute to stop and fill in their answers, some asking if they could write in a category beyond "poor."  
     What I found especially interesting was that this year, I didn't have one single conservative person stop by to give me a good-natured tough time about why we Democrats are so misguided. I suspect that Trump's recent behavior in Helsinki has a lot of Republicans keeping a low profile.  
     It's true that nearly 80% of voters openly identifying as Republican still do favor President Trump's actions, no matter how disgusting they might be. But here's the reality behind that number. Those self-identifying Republicans usually make up little more than 25% of the total of American voters. (Self-identifying Democrats generally do a few percentage points better.) It's the self-identified "Independents" who make up the largest single block of voters-- leaning left or right, depending on the issues and candidates.  
     With that in mind we should be reassured about two things:  
     1. There are a lot of potential votes within that 40%-plus segment of independents who are presently very much turned off by the leader of the Republican Party. This should be a big Mid-term advantage - if Democratic leadership doesn't blow it.  
     2. The "80% Republican" group favoring Trump's behavior actually represents only 20% of the total number of American voters. This somewhat good news means we aren't completely surrounded by idiots.  
     But let's get back to the Wilmette Summerfest. Since virtually every conversation at our table contained some mention of Trump, two women I spoke with had notably interesting comments.  
     The first was a woman whose mother was from Puerto Rico and father from Columbia. She's always been an American citizen, raised a family here in the States and appeared to me to be a successful businesswoman. But her roots make her especially sensitive to the nasty generalizations our nation's president regularly spews out about people of Hispanic descent. She finds Donald Trump's words despicable.  
     Another younger woman who stopped by our table was from Eastern Europe. She's a civil engineer working on an advanced degree and is on track to become an American citizen next year. Her story is inspiring. But sadly, President Trump's regular (and generally ignorant) statements on immigrants chip away at her feelings of security in her newly adopted country.  
     Many other people stopped by our table without any straw poll coaxing. A married couple, both retirees, expressed concern about Governor Rauner's recent veto of IL Senate Bill SB-2273. (If you're immediately curious about Bruce Rauner's shameful veto, Google SB-2273 right now. Otherwise, I promise next week to fill in the details. They will further inspire you to help elect J.B.)  
     Table visitors also asked what they could do to help change things in the upcoming November election. We urged them all to take some part, however large or small, in the campaign process between now and November. Each week there will be opportunities to join phone banking and/or doorbell ringing for some great candidates. And you can be sure that whoever you help will play a role in pushing back against the right wing's assault on a more inclusive democracy.  
     Your first step is to learn about those candidates. Visit their websites. See their positions. Decide how you can help them. - And remember, even the smallest occasional involvement can have a cumulative impact that will result in victory.  
     Here are five websites to investigate:
lauraforillinois.com -- Laura Fine, Democratic candidate for State Senator in the IL 9th Senate District (replacing retiring Dem. Senator Daniel Biss).   
jenggforrep.com -- Jennifer Gong Gershowitz, Democratic candidate for State Rep. in the IL 17th House District (to fill the IL House seat being vacated by Laura Fine)   
castenforcongress.com -- Sean Casten, 6th Congressional District
(to replace Republican cypher Peter Roskam) 
underwoodforcongress.com. -- Lauren Underwood, IL 14th Congressional District (to replace Trump apologist, Republican Randy Hultgren)
evanstondems.com This website is loaded with volunteer opportunities for many outstanding Democratic candidates on a daily basis. Laura Fine and Sean Casten have regularly scheduled phone banking nights. 
And of course there's NTDO the weekly Thursday night phone bank for J.B Pritzker at our Oak St. office (see below).
     The campaigning is well underway. It's time to join in. 
 
                                                                           Nels Howard
                                                                           NTDO member since 1973    
 
 
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Every Thursday Night at New Trier Dems' Office 
From Now Until Election Day 

JB For Governor Thursday Evening Phone Bank JB Prtizker

When : 
Thursday Nights, July through November, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm

Where : 
New Trier Democrats' Office, 800 Oak Street, Suite 112, Winnetka

What : 
A phone bank to get out the vote for JB Pritzker for Governor in this important midterm election. This phone bank will also support Kwame Raoul for Illinois Attorney General as well as other down ticket races in Illinois. You must bring a cell phone and please bring a laptop computer if you can. Training and all necessary materials will be provided . For questions or to RSVP, call Jonathan Alter at 312-848-2925.  


Other events of interest:

Tomorrow Night, July 26 in Chicago - Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence (ICHV) Birthday Bash

When: Thursday, July 26, 2018 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Where: Old Crow, 149 W. Kinzie, Chicago
What: ICHV celebrates its 43rd Birthday. The event includes appetizers, cocktails and a raffle. For additional information or to purchase tickets, register online.

This Saturday, July 28 in Highland Park -  Day of Action With JB, Julie & Bob
 
When: Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 10:00am
Where: Campaign office, 1910 First Street, Highland Park
What:  A Day of Action on the 100th day before the election, knocking on doors with IL State Senator Julie Morrison; Candidate for the IL 58th House seat, Bob Morgan; and JB Pritzker. All three will be there to meet with volunteers before training and then head out to knock on doors. For additional information and to RSVP,   register online .

Monday, July 30 in Chicago -  Deputy Voter Registrar Training in Downtown Chicago
 
When: Monday, July 30, 2018 at 12:00pm
Where:  DeBofsky Sherman & Casciari P.C., 200 W. Madison St., Chicago (9th floor conference room)
What: A training for Deputy Voter Registrars will be held. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and registered to vote in Cook County. The event is open only to Cook County residents who are interested in helping to register new voters. Deputy Registrars must be trained in the county in which they live, but once trained, can register voters anywhere in Illinois. Training takes less than an hour. This training is being held through the County Clerk's office and is free of charge.  Sign-ups will be taken up to five hours before the class starts. In most cases, late sign-ups will not be added to the class.  Register online in advance. For additional information contact [email protected], or call 847-266-VOTE (8683).

Wednesday, August 1 in Chicago - Inaugural Women's Reception "Feminists for Foxx"
 
When: Wednesday, August 1, 2018 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm (rescheduled from June 27th)
Where: Taste 222, 222 N. Canal St., Chicago
What: Night of discussion, food and drink in support of Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx. For more information, contact Liz or Lauren [email protected] or 312-806-2743.  RSVP here.


Thursday, August 2 in Evanston - IL Immigration Rights Task Force Workshop With Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz

When: Thursday, August 2, 2018 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm Where: Curt's Cafe, 2922 Central Street, Evanston
What: Every human being in the U.S. has certain basic rights, whether or not they are a citizen, and everyone can be an advocate. Join Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (Candidate for State Rep. for the 17th District) for a "know your rights" event and join their Illinois Immigration Rights Task Force. Join them to learn answers to common questions about immigration and gather essential tools to support immigrants in our community. Please RSVP to Stephanie Mendoza at [email protected] to attend.

Monday, August 6 in Highland Park - Meet and Greet With Bob Morgan and Julie Morrison

Julie Morrison
When: Monday, August 6, 2018 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Where: Highland Park address provided upon RSVP.
What: Join Bob Morgan, candidate for State Representative, and State Senator Julie Morrison for a meet and greet in Highland Park! Please RSVP to [email protected].

 
Tuesday, August 7 in Glenview - Women's Meet & Greet with JB and Juliana

When: Tuesday, August 7, 2018 from 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Where: Glenview Park Center, Lakeview B, 2400 Chestnut Ave., Glenview
What: State Senator Laura Fine hosts an opportunity to meet the Democratic candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor. To RSVP, email [email protected]. For more information, visit their  Facebook page.

Wednesday, August 8 in Chicago -  Reception with State Representative Laura Fine and Senator Julie Morrison

Julie Morrison
When: Wednesday, August 8, 2018 from 5:00pm to 6:30pm Where: Michael Best Strategies, 444 W. Lake St. #3200, Chicago
What: Join Illinois Representative Fine and Senator Morrison at Michael Best Strategies. For questions or to RSVP, email [email protected] or call 312-630-7700.



Wednesday, August 15 in Chicago - Reception for Tom Dart

When: Wednesday, August 15, 2018 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm Tom Dart Where: Lagunitas Brewing Company, 2607 W. 17th St., Chicago
What: A reception and fundraiser supporting  Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart in the November election. To RSVP,  register online.


 
Sunday, August 26 in Libertyville - The Stevenson Center Presents "The Electoral College"
 
When: Sunday, August 26, 2018 at 2:00pm
Where: The Adlai Stevenson Center on Democracy, 25200 N. St. Mary's Rd., Mettawa (Libertyville)
What: Karen Glennemeier of the League of Women Voters of Wilmette presents a brief history of the Electoral College, a discussion of its impact on our democracy, and a plan for change. Coffee and conversation will follow the presentation. For additional information or to RSVP, visit the  Center website,  register online, email [email protected] or call  773-633-5661.

Save The Date!
 
2018  New Trier Democrats' Events

Saturday, September 8, 2018
New Trier Democrats' Annual Meeting and Picnic at Mallinckrodt Center

Sunday, October 14, 2018
New Trier Democrats' Annual Dinner at Maggiano's in Skokie

Thursday, December 13, 2018
New Trier Democrats' Holiday Party at Wilmette Wine Cellar
 
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 Morrison, State 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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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

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or go directly to ActBlue by clicking here. 
Still not a member of the New Trier Democrats? 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.