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NTD NEWS   February 2, 2017
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  Commentary     --   Events     --   Your Legislators 


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Last Sunday afternoon, New Trier Democratic Committeeman Dean Maragos and NTD President Judy Mandel hosted our annual Volunteer "Thank You" Pizza Party at J.P.'s Pizza in Wilmette. The turnout was huuuge!
     Seriously, it was the best turnout I've seen since this NTD tradition was started. And that's understandable since the election of Donald Trump has energized us all to a new level of unity and determination.
    Here's one indication of how intense political activity has already become in a little more than a week since Donald Trump's inauguration: The elected officials who weren't able to attend this year's party were absent because they were at other gatherings encouraging more political engagement. -- Everyone is feeling a sense of urgency.
     So, we gathered up our slices of excellent pizza, found places to sit (or stand) and immediately got into discussions with fellow Democrats about the future we're now facing. As the afternoon progressed our pizza crowd heard from Lou Lang, the Illinois House Deputy Majority Leader, our 17th District
State Rep. Laura Fine, County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, Committeeman Maragos and NTD President Mandel. Congresswoman Schakowsky and State Senator Biss also sent representatives from their offices to report to the audience of volunteers.
     The general takeaway we heard from the speakers was that our state is in more desperate shape than ever. And, Governor Rauner's continued insistence on the acceptance of his personal "turnaround plan" before he'll consider signing a budget is causing pain and hardship for thousands of innocent people. And when the subject of our new U.S. President's agenda was discussed, the response from everyone in the crowd was basically, "What can we do to fight this!?"
     Actually, that "What can we do?" question was pretty much a part of every conversation all afternoon. It's pretty clear that no matter how successful Republicans have been at using fear, bigotry and misinformation to push our country in an increasingly dangerous direction, we Democrats are all far from throwing up our hands in defeat. On that point, I must mention that one other person who spoke to the entire room, Georgia Caras, the teenage daughter of NTD member Mark Caras and a high school senior. Her realistic take on the importance of voter participation among her peers and its effect on her generation's future was impressive and inspiring. - On that subject, if you are a high school or college student, or have someone in your family who is, I hope you will consider how critically important increasing the number of young voters is for your future. (In this past election, 90 million Americans who were eligible to vote stayed home. This allowed Donald Trump to be elected President by just 27% of Americans of voting age!)
     I suppose now I could ramble on a bit about the most recent outrages committed by Mr. Trump and his increasingly thuggish gang or about the loathsome hypocrisy of Republican Congressional leadership (and so many of their gutless GOP senators and congressmen). But venting won't change anything. As so many people at the Pizza Party agreed, actually doing something is the only thing that will. So, here are some actions you can take right now that can have an impact:
 
#1. This is the first big action the NTDO is joining:

Sign up for the Protect the ACA (Obama Care) Phone Bank at the NTD Office in Winnetka.
 
WHEN: Every Monday, Wednesday, & Saturday from 1/30 through 2/18 -- At the New Trier Democratic Organization office, 800 Oak St Winnetka You will be contacting constituents in Congressman Peter Roskam's district, urging them to urge him to support vital health care services for everyone. You will need to bring a cell phone and a laptop to participate in the phone banks. Even if you only have an hour two to spare, your help is important. To sign up, click here. (Or if you find time to help at the last minute, just come to the NTD office.)

And if you absolutely, positively have no time on any scheduled date to help with the "Protect the ACA" Phone Bank, here's a very quick activity:
 
#2. Spend 5 minutes, make 5 calls. For the details click here.   
Even though our local Democratic U.S. Congresspersons most likely agree with us on most issues, they need strong constituent call numbers to underscore their positions in Congress.
 
     Future issues of the NTD News will present new action opportunities. Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, the Koch Brothers...the GOP in general, have been relentless in their efforts to tear down so much of the human progress we've experienced over the past decades. We Democrats must be no less relentless in our efforts to fight their cold-hearted and barbaric agenda.
 

Nels Howard
                                                                       NTDO member since 1973

PS: And here's another list of 8 activities (including the ACA phone bank) that you can choose from right now...
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"Join the Resistance" with a choice of activities  suggested by Congresswoman Schakowsky and her staff. They are all valuable. 
Click here.

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Our Senior U.S. Senator, Dick Durbin has spoken out strongly against the appointment of Jeff Sessions to be the next U.S. Attorney General.
Give him a call or send an email to thank him for his principled stand.
 
You can contact Senator Durbin by phone at 202-224-2152 and/or 312-353-4952 or through his website. 

State Rep. Laura Fine wants to hear from you about HB40, the bill to protect a woman's right to choose in Illinois.

Rep. Fine has said: She wants constituents to contact her by phone or email to express concerns about issues. -- Even if you feel sure that Rep. Fine supports your views, the number of people contacting her on issues is factual ammunition as she argues for support of legislation.  

HB40 is a bill that was written to abolish Illinois' so-called "trigger law" that, if Roe v. Wade is overturned, abortion would become illegal in Illinois, as would several forms of birth control. Under a Trump Supreme Court this is a real possibility. 
     HB40 amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Removes a provision prohibiting the non-contributory portion of a program of health-benefits from including the expenses of obtaining an abortion. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Removes a provision excluding abortions or induced miscarriages or premature births from the list of services provided under the State's medical assistance program. Removes language providing for the adoption of rules to prohibit a physician from providing medical assistance to anyone eligible for medical assistance benefits if the physician has been found guilty of wilfully and wantonly performing an abortion procedure upon a woman who was not pregnant at the time of the procedure. Removes other provisions concerning abortion restrictions. Amends the Problem Pregnancy Health Services and Care Act. Removes language prohibiting the Department of Human Services from making grants to nonprofit agencies and organizations that use such grants to refer or counsel for, or perform, abortions. Amends the Illinois Abortion Law of 1975. Provides that it is the intention of the Gen
eral Assembly to reasonably regulate abortion in conformance with the legal standards set forth in the decisions of the United States Supreme Court of January 22, 1973. Removes language concerning the General Assembly's declaration that the unborn child is a human being from the time of conception and is, therefore, a legal person for purposes of the unborn child's right to life. Makes other changes.

For information to contact Rep. Fine click here. 

Have you visited Senator Biss' website "The Road Back" --
click on the link to his video -- then, throughout the summer 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.


Other upcoming events and news items:

 
Tomorrow night, Thursday, Feb. 2 in Glencoe -- Let's Talk Politics

When: Thursday, February 2, at 7:30pm
Where: Glencoe Historical Society, 375 Park Avenue, Glencoe. -- The building is just through the Eklund Garden on the north side of Park Avenue.
What: TDU's Let's Talk Politics is a moderated discussion that allows opportunities for Democrats, liberals, and progressives in and around the 10th District to talk about important issues of the day with each other and guests who often include elected officials, candidates, political analysts, and authors. For additional information or to RSVP, register online, email events@tenthdems.org or call 847-266-VOTE (8683).
 
Thursday, Feb. 9 in Deerfield - PFLAG February Meeting
 
When: Thursday, February 9, at 7:15pm
Where: BJBE Synagogue, 1201 Lake Cook Rd., Deerfield
 
Monthly meeting of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
(PFLAG).  This month's speakers are Theresa Volpe and her wife, Mercedes Santos.  Theresa is a children's book author, mother of three, and active in numerous organizations serving the LGBTQ community.  Theresa and Mercedes testified before the Illinois Senate in support of the Illinois Marriage Equality Bill and were plaintiffs in the Lambda Legal lawsuit against the State of Illinois. PFLAG meets at 7:15pm the second Thursday of each month at BJBE Synagogue, Deerfield. -- For additional information, visit the PFLAG website here or email pflagdeerfield@gmail.com
 
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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. (His Congressional website is under construction.)
    
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

800 Oak St., Suite 112

Winnetka, IL 60093

OR

By Credit Card: visit our website by clicking  here 

Click on the "Get Involved" tab

Find the link for "contribute with ActBlue"
or go directly there 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 in Winnetka, IL. Ph: 847-446-8030
Contact: newtrierdemocrats@gmail.com.

*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.