Community activist Cristobal Cavazos contacted CAC on behalf of students at Glenbard East High School ahead of a planned march in support of DACA. The students, led by senior Jimmy Lynch, asked for information on any legal issues that might arise. Maryam advised Cristobal and the students on Lombard's permit requirements and helped them navigate its complexity. The municipality gave the students permission to march on the sidewalks near the school and on Roosevelt Road.
The students invited Ben to attend the march as a legal observer. He spoke to the students about following Lombard's ordinances during the march and followed the students on their two-mile march. Nearly 50 students joined the peaceful protest.
CAC Announces Citizen Initiative Awardees
2016 Holiday Cheer and the Citizen Initiative Awardees from left to right: Ixchel Community Group, Jean Kaczmarek, Don Mitchell, and Karen Jump.
LEARN ABOUT THE 2017 AWARD RECIPIENTS HERE. What is a Citizen Initiative Award? Each year the Citizen Advocacy Center gives out Citizen Initiative Awards to recognize local community activists who are catalysts for democratic participation and have used civic, legal, and community organizing tools to advocate for a self-identified issue of public concern. Join us for an inspiring evening. Event is free and open to the public. Suggested donation: $10.00. *Recognition by CAC is not in any way an endorsement of any individual who is or may become a candidate for public office.
On November 13, Ben Silver delivered a public presentation at Indian Prairie Public Library on the state and local legislative processes in Illinois. Ben utilized CAC's brand new Citizen Guide on Demystifying the Legislative Process, adapting portions into his PowerPoint presentation, which also included School House Rock's "I'm Just a Bill." Citizens learned how their elected officials shape laws and where the public can be involved in the process.
College of DuPage Advocacy Class
Community Lawyer Ben Silver spoke to an advocacy class at College of DuPage on November 7. He discussed what he does as an advocate, how to be an effective advocate, and what tools CAC uses in its work that students can use for conducting research. Students enjoyed hearing about recent issues before CAC, including the Hoop House controversy and the Bloomingdale Township referendum.
New Citizen Guide: Automatic Voter Registration
The AVR Citizen Guide features a history of voter registration, a review of the inception of automatic voter registration, and details the processes for automatic voter registration in Illinois.
