NTD NEWS
November 29, 2017
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Last week, the NTD News mentioned two upcoming events that I  think are especially deserving of some follow-up comments. After living nearly one year with the Trump Administration, it's clear that his cabinet's depressing and destructive policies are not about to change. And although it's the Holiday season, I don't think we should expect Donald Trump and his Republican leaders to discover compassion after a visit from Marley's ghost.
But we can't let them wear us down. And the two gatherings I mentioned above might be just what you need to raise your spirits and your determination as we go into the New Year.
The first event is happening this Sunday afternoon (2:00-3:30 pm)in Evanston at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster Ave. It's being presented by the Indivisible project. - Who are they?
I'll lift words from their website: "The Indivisible project is a  registered 501c(4) nonprofit. Our mission is to cultivate and lift up a grassroots movement of local groups to defeat the Trump agenda, elect progressive leaders, and realize bold progressive policies. Across the nation, over 6,000 local groups (at least 2 in every congressional district) are using the Indivisible Guide to hold their members of Congress accountable. Indivisible is a project of the Advocacy Fund." (You can learn more by clicking here.)
The appearance of six thousand Indivisible groups across the United States is good news for all of us. Certainly it's not the first progressive grassroots movement of its kind. Other organizations like it have made their mark in the past and continue to today. Move On, DFA, OFA are three examples. The appearance of a fresh new citizen's movement like Indivisible is a healthy development.
 From what I've heard, local Indivisible organizations are also appearing in downstate Illinois. As the 2018 election year progresses, these grassroots workers could play a pivotal role in defeating Bruce Rauner's reelection attempt.
In our region, it appears that the Indivisible project is focused on getting Wisconsin back into the progressive column where it belongs. The theme of Sunday's event at the Fleetwood Jourdain Center is "Voter Suppression/Voter I.D. in Wisconsin: What It Is and What We Can Do About."
Here's what their event flyer says: "Please join us to learn how we can help our neighbors in southern Wisconsin in 2018 exercise their right to vote! (The plans will be) Presented by Molly McGrath, voting rights activist and ACLU People Power organizer. Molly was recently featured in a Mother Jones article about voter suppression in Wisconsin by Ari Berman (author of 'Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America')."
At the Evanston event (Co-sponsored by ACLU People Power), our  9th Congressional District Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky will be their honored guest. This tells me that Jan endorses their efforts and will no doubt be coordinating with them as the 2018 Election Year progresses. There is no question that Wisconsin should never have been lost in the 2016 election. More attention should have been paid - and in 2018 it will be.
A few more details on Sunday's gathering are mentioned in the "events section" below along with a website link to the Mother Jones article on Wisconsin's disgraceful voter suppression.
The second event I want to mention is still two weeks away. But if you enjoy good wine, an inviting setting and conversation with smart, politically engaged people like yourself, put it on your calendar now. It's the New Trier Dems Holiday Party at the Wilmette Wine Cellar. This will not be a gathering of politicians making speeches. It will just be an after-work gathering of men and women who share progressive values, enjoy smart conversation - and like good wine.
Also at this event, in the spirit of the Holidays, the NTDO will be  welcoming donations for the New Trier Township Food Pantry - non-perishable canned and packaged food, useful paper goods and toiletry items. (You might think the North Shore doesn't have need for a Food Pantry but you would be mistaken They help a lot of people throughout the year and they'll appreciate your generosity.
Day after day, as we witness the contemptible actions of the Trump Administration and his Republican leaders, it's tempting to turn our backs on the entire mess. To lose faith that things can still be turned around. That's when seeing the appearance of a Grassroots movement like Indivisible or sharing conversation with friends who care about our nation's integrity can renew a belief in our democracy
Nels Howard
NTDO member since 1973
P.S. Today I saw a news article about this year's Chicago Bar Association's "Bar Show" and it mentioned an amusing sketch in which George W. Bush sings about his gratitude for no longer being the worst President in history. - I can't argue with that
Are your NTD annual dues up to date? You can only vote at endorsement meetings if you're paid up.
Check with the NTD office if you're not sure when your "annual dues date" is.
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To renew your NTD membership or to become an official member of the New Trier Dems for the first time,
visit our
NTDO website. You'll see information on all your membership options.
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Save the Date!
Thursday, December 14
at the Wilmette Wine Cellar
A Holiday Party with the New Trier Dems
Thursday, December 14th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Wilmette Wine Cellar, 1100 Central Avenue, Wilmette
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New Trier Dems will provide the hors d'oeuvres, and drinks will be
available for purchase. This event is not a fundraiser.
It's just an opportunity to have fun and meet other area Dems.
In addition, we will be collecting non-perishable canned and
packaged food, useful paper goods, and toiletry items to
donate to the New Trier Township Food Pantry. Anything you can
donate is greatly appreciated!
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A message from State Rep. Laura Fine: The deadline to sign up for the Affordable Care Act is December 15.
There is a navigator available every Friday through December 15, from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM at the Evanston Main Library Newberry Conference Room (Second Floor). They can provide enrollment assistance and information about health insurance options. To speak with a navigator or to set up an appointment, contact Laura at 312-898-8864 or laura@patientinnovationcenter.org Drop-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred.
Additionally, I along with Rep. Robyn Gabel and the Illinois Department of Insurance are hosting a table at the Evanston Main Library (1703 Orrington Ave.), this Monday, December 4th from 6:00pm-7:00pm to answer any questions you may have about the enrollment process. Please stop by if you require assistance.
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Note: The NTDO Endorsement Meeting will not be held until January of 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:
This Sunday, December 3 in Evanston --
"Voter Suppression/Voter I.D. in Wisconsin---What it Is
and What We Can Do About It!"
When: Sunday, December 3rd, 2pm to 3:30pm
Where: Location TBA, in Evanston, IL
Presented by Molly, McGrath, ACLU People Power organizer featured in the recent article by Ari Berman in the November issue of Mother Jones about voter suppression in WI, "Rigged: How Voter Suppression Threw Wisconsin to Trump" Honored Guest, Jan Schakowsky, 9th District representative in United States Congress.
The goal will be to inspire many to travel to southern Wisconsin over the next year to help peple access their voter i.d.'s so will have access to the ballot box in 2018.
Tomorrow Evening, Nov. 30 in Skokie -
An Evening of Unity with Senator Julie Morrison
 When:
Thursday, November 30, at 6:30pm
Where:
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center,
9603 Woods Dr., Skokie
What:
Join State Senator Julie Morrison for "An Evening of Unity," an open discussion on inclusion and how communities can work together. Panelists include: Michael Bauer, Jewish, LGBTQ, and women's rights activist; Suzanne Sahloul, Syrian refugee advocate; Hugh Brady, activist for mental health, homelessness causes; Eileen Bennin, champion for those with intellectual disabilities; Rev. Dr. Norval Brown, minister and race relations advocate; and George Van Dusen, Skokie Mayor and panel moderator.
Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required.
Register online at www.ilholocaustmuseum.org/events or call 847-967-4889 For questions, please call Senator Julie Morrison's office in Deerfield at 847-945-5200.
This Monday, December 4 in Chicago - A Women for Biss Cocktail Reception for Daniel Biss and Litesa Wallace
 When: Monday, December 4, from 5:30 - 7:00pm
Where: 625 Kingsbury St., Chicago
What:
A cocktail reception for Daniel Biss and Litesa Wallace, Democratic candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Illinois.
Next Monday Dec. 4 in Chicago - The Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence Lincoln Awards Luncheon
 When:
Monday, December 4, 11:30am: Check-in, 12:00 Lunch
Where:
University Club of Chicago, 76 E. Monroe, Chicago
What:
Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence holds its 33rd annual Abraham Lincoln Awards Luncheon, this year honoring Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-2) and Ken Bennett, community activist and former deputy assistant to President Barack Obama.
Saturday, Dec. 9 in Chicago -
Conversation with Gubernatorial Candidate Chris Kennedy
 When:
Saturday, December 9, from 4:00 - 6:00pm
Where:
Manny's Deli, 1141 S. Jefferson, Chicago
What:
The People's Choice Coalition presents an individual conversation with Chris Kennedy, a Democratic candidate for Governor of Illinois. Discussion questions will be taken from the People's Choice platform on the issues that are most relevant in returning this state to solvency and one that works for all people across the state, not just the one percent.
Sunday, Dec. 17 in Deerfield - The Tenth Dems Annual Awards Dinner presenting Jill Wine-Banks
When:
Sunday, December 17, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where:
Hyatt Deerfield, 1750 Lake Cook Road, (I-294 at Lake Cook) Deerfield
What:
Join the Tenth Congressional District Democrats for our Annual Awards Dinner presenting Watergate prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks.
During the Watergate hearings, attorney Jill Wine-Banks played an integral role in questioning the events surrounding Richard Nixon's secret tape recordings. An MSNBC commentator, Wine-Banks provides viewers invaluable insight into how a case can be built against a President and his aides, whether Nixon in the 1970s or Trump today.
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Here is a list of the local and statewide Democratic candidates seeking your vote in the 2018 Primary Election. You have several months to get acquainted with the positions and qualifications before the Democratic Primary this spring and the NTDO Endorsement Meeting in January.
Because some web browsers will not accept e-mailings with a large number of Internet links, they have been erased from this candidate list.
To see all the available links, visit our NTDO website at ntdo.org.
Governor:
Chris Kennedy
JB Pritzger representative-Andrew Pryzbylo, Mayor of Niles
Bob Daiber
Teo Hardiman
Robert Marshal
Alex Paterakis
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
Illinois State Representative -
17th District:
Candace Chow
Alexandra Eidenberg
Mary Rita Luecke
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
58th District:
Bob Morgan
6th District:
Carol Cheney
Cook County Assessor:
Frederick (Fritz) Kaegi
Cook County Commissioner - 13th District
Larry Suffredin
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Your 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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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.
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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 "Join/Contribute" button
Find the link for "contribute with ActBlue"
or go directly to ActBlue by clicking here.
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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: 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.
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