Idealism -- Integrity -- Independence
NTD NEWS
October 17, 2018
|
 This past weekend I had two experiences that further validated my views on the state of today's political environment. The first was on Saturday, when I drove out to Barrington to ring a few doorbells for Congressional candidate Sean Casten. He's running to unseat Republican Trump-puppet, Peter Roskam.
I expected I'd be calling on the elegant homes of white-collar Barringtonians. Instead, I was assigned a neighborhood pretty much made up of modest homes. The streets were shady but had no curbs. There were few sidewalks. Here and there I saw a newer home, a few with a "McMansion" vibe that told me real estate developers were aware of the area's potential. But in general, I was calling on a very much middle-income group of voters.
It was a sunny Saturday so many residents were enjoying the weather somewhere else. But the folks I did catch at home kept the afternoon interesting. Some were quick to say they were Democrats. A couple were  quick to say they hated Trump but wouldn't say if they'd vote for Casten. Some were non-committal but polite. And some had already mailed in their ballot (a trend that may grow in the future). But what left the strongest impression on me were the three men who answered their front doors and immediately told me that "all politicians are bad," "all politicians are full of BS," "voting is a waste of time."
The thing is, I didn't feel like those men were making these statements just to get me off their porches. They spoke with personal conviction. -- As an experienced canvasser, once a door opener rejects my message I thank them and quickly leave. However, afterward I did think about what those men said and reached a couple of conclusions.
For one thing, I have a hunch that in a Republican-friendly area like  Barrington (and other "red" regions), there are more than a few people who voted for Donald Trump but are now appalled by his actions. For them, the easiest way to rationalize their voting blunder is to simply conclude that getting involved in politics and elections is a mistake. It could be they won't be voting in this election.
I also mused on how those guys' pessimistic views may have been helped by the one-note messages on right wing broadcast and social media; and by the billionaire-supported think tanks with an interest in furthering a distrust in government.
Of course, I would never deny that the public does have reason to be skeptical of "political people." There are men and women who choose politics as a career for the wrong reasons. Certainly, over the years, our state and local governments have had their share of scoundrels. And it hasn't helped to have millions of dollars pumped into campaigns that portray political contests as battles between craven, incompetent candidates only running for selfish reasons. Nor have the optics of an Illinois Democratic Party with an entrenched boss at the top (even if this image is not completely true). That situation has become a campaign liability for every Democratic candidate on the ballot, feeding even more cynicism.
And that brings me to the experience I had on Sunday.
 I attended the NTDO Annual Dinner, held in the banquet room of Maggiano's in Old Orchard. The room was packed with New Trier Dems, other activists and many Democratic office holders and candidates. The main speaker was our candidate for governor, J.B. Pritzker.
I admit that I have no personal familiarity with the majority of the people who were in the room. But I can honestly say that the Democratic office holders and candidates there who I've gotten to know over the past months, years (or even decades) have my sincere  admiration. They are in no way the "politicians" that the Barrington cynics believe populate government. These Democrats all entered the political world for the right reasons. In fact, at the banquet I had the honor of presenting a lifetime achievement award to one of those dedicated politicians -- Cook County Clerk David Orr, surely one of the most upstanding voting officials in the entire United States.
It's true that our government is only as good as the people we elect to serve in it. Locally, we should be proud of the quality of public servants we have helped gain office. And I believe that in this election there will be a wave of that level of quality elected in contests across the United States.
If you have any time at all to participate in this process, as a volunteer in whatever capacity -- helping our local and statewide candidates and/or, if possible, helping neighboring Congressional races for Sean Casten and Lauren Underwood -- please contact one or more of the activities listed below. Sending numbers of intelligent, dedicated, capable people to Springfield and Washington is the best way we have to refute the negative generalizations and lies of right-wing ideologues and Donald Trump.
Nels Howard
NTDO member since 1973
P.S. Early voting is from Oct. 22 - Nov. 5 - and unregistered voters with two forms of ID (including current address proof) can register to vote at their early voting site.
Scroll down to see some of the ways you can help some of our exceptional Democratic candidates.
-------------
|
|
  Early Voting in Our Township
Begins Monday, October 22nd
|
|
Take Action Now - Local Opportunities To Help Get Out The Vote
Tuesdays,
Wednesdays & Thursdays from 5:30-9:00pm
Phone Bank for IL Dems Up & Down the Ballot at New Trier Democrats' Office
When
: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:30pm to 9:00pm
What: Join your friends and neighbors at New Trier Democrats to phone bank for state and local candidates up and down the ballot! We will be phone banking for candidates like
Robyn Gabel,
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, and
Laura Fine, as well as Statewide Illinois candidates like
JB Pritzker and
Kwame Raoul. Please bring a cell phone and a laptop (if you have one), and training and all necessary materials will be provided. Stay tuned for more specific details on canvassing out of New Trier Democrats' office.
___________
Tuesdays through Sundays
Get Out The Vote with Team JB Pritzker For Governor
in New Trier Township
Phone banking
When: 2 hour shifts -
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays from 4:00pm-8:00pm; Saturdays from 10:00am-6:00pm; Sundays from 1:00pm-6:00pm
Where: 3140 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette (half block west of Hibbard Rd.)
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 or email jonathana@jbforilgov.com.
Canvassing
When:
2-3 hour shifts -
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays from 2:00pm-8:00pm; Saturdays from 10:00am-6:00pm; Sundays from 1:00pm-6:00pm
Where:
Canvasses launch from 3140 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette (half block west of
Hibbard Rd.)
What:
Canvassing to get out the vote for JB Pritzker for Governor in this important midterm election. Canvassing will also support Kwame Raoul for Illinois Attorney General as well as other down ticket races in Illinois. Training and all necessary materials will be provided. For questions or to RSVP, call Jonathan Alter at 312-848-2925 or email jonathana@jbforilgov.com.
___________
Sundays 1:00-5:00pm &
Mondays through Fridays 5:00-8:00pm
Phone Banking for IL Midterm Candidates with Our Friends at the Democratic Party of Evanston
When:
Sundays 1:00pm to 5:00pm; Mondays through Thursdays 5:00pm to 8:00pm; Fridays 4:00pm to 8:00pm
Where: Democratic Party of Evanston's Office, 1806 Church Street, Evanston - NEW OFFICE LOCATION
What: The DPOE will continue to host daily phonebanking events at its headquarters throughout Sept. and Oct. to help support IL Democratic candidates in November. Please bring your cell phone, laptop, and charging device.
For more information or to RSVP, please visit
DPOE's events calendar
. Thank you!
Postcard Parties in New Trier Township
Sunday, 10/21 from 2:00-5:00pm at 822 Prairie, Wilmette
Tuesday, 10/23 from 7:00-9:00pm at Tudor Wine Bar, 338 Tudor Court, Glencoe
Tuesday, 10/30 from 7:00-9:00pm at location TBD
__________
Postcard Parties with Our Friends at Indivisible Evanston
What: This is the FINAL PUSH to send GOTV postcards for the Nov. 6th Midterms! Indivisible Evanston is writing to voters in their adopted congressional districts: IL-6 (where Sean Casten is running for Congress against Peter Roskam), and IL-14 (where Lauren Underwood is running for Congress against Randy Hultgren). Please come and bring your friends! SIGN UP ONLINE. These parties are self-funded, so, If possible, please bring some postcard stamps to share. We'll provide the postcards and refreshments!
Thursday, 10/18: 5:00pm - 9:00pm at 1216 Madison St. in Evanston.
Sunday, 10/21: 4:00pm-9:00pm at 319 Wesley in Evanston
Tuesday, 10/23: 7:00pm - 9:00pm at 1104 Colfax Ave. in Evanston
Sunday, 10/28: 4:00pm-9:00pm at 319 Wesley in Evanston
__________
Saturdays & Sundays
Canvassing for Lauren Underwood (IL 14th District) and Sean Casten (IL 6th District) with Our Friends at Indivisible Evanston
When
: Saturdays from 8:45am to 2;00pm
Where
: meeting location 9222 Lawndale, Evanston IL 60203 - will drive to IL-14th to canvass
What
:
Sign up here to Canvass for Lauren Underwood, candidate for Congress in IL 14th District.
We'll caravan from Evanston and then meet up with the Lake County Field Director from the Underwood campaign in Lindenhurst, who will give us a brief training and instructions before we head out to canvass door-to-door for the Underwood campaign. If you've never canvassed before, this is a great way to learn. Having conversations with folks 1:1 is the way we will win in November!
When: Sundays from 10:45am to 4:00pm
__________
Saturdays & Sundays - 3 Hour Shifts All Day
Get Out the Vote Evanston with Our Friends at Democratic Party of Evanston
When:
Saturdays - Shifts from 9:00am-12:00pm, 12:00pm-3:00pm, 3:00pm-6:00pm and 6:00pm-9:00pm; Sundays - Shifts from 12:00pm-3:00pm, 3:00pm-6:00pm and 6:00pm-9:00pm
Where: Democratic Party of Evanston's office,
1806 Church Street, Evanston - NEW OFFICE LOCATION
What: Knock on doors in Evanston for local candidates like
Robyn Gabel, Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, Laura Fine, and Cam Davis, as well as statewide Illinois candidates like
JB Pritzker and Kwame Raoul. For more information, please visit
DPOE's events calendar.
__________
Saturdays 8:00am & 11:00am and Sundays 11:00am
Canvassing for Sean Casten (IL-6th), Betsy Dirksen Londrigan (IL-13th) & Lauren Underwood (IL-14th) with Team Jan Schakowsky
When: Saturdays at 8:00am and 11:00am; Sundays at 11:00am
Where: On Saturdays - Schakowsky Office, 5539 N. Broadway, Chicago; On Sundays Democratic Party of Evanston, 1806 W Church St., Evanston and Schakowsky Office, 5539 N. Broadway, Chicago
What: Rep. Jan Schakowsky is facilitating carpools to prepped field offices, where volunteers proceed to canvass locally for Sean Casten (IL-6th), Betsy Dirksen Londrigan (IL-13th) & Lauren Underwood (IL-14th). They need more canvassers to expand their reach in these final weeks. You're invited to sign up at either of their locations. Please commit to doing what you can to turn things around. It truly never has been more important.
RSVP online.
|
|
Other events of interest:
Tomorrow Night, October 18 in Chicago - Women's Leadership Training Academy Trailblazers Award and Reception
When: Thursday, October 18, 2018 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Where: Maggiano's, 111 W. Grand St., Chicago
What: Illinois Women's Institute for Leadership Training Academy (IWILTA) holds its annual
Trailblazers Award and Reception honoring organizers that helped pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in Illinois. For additional information or to RSVP,
register online.
Tomorrow Night, October 18 in Highland Park -
Pizza & Postcards For State Sen. Julie Morrison
When: Thursday, October 18, 2018 at 6:00pm
Where: Morrison Campaign HQ, 1910 First Street, Highland Park
What: Help #TeamMorrison get out the word about the upcoming election and tell neighbors why they should support Senator Morrison on Election Day! We need volunteers to help stuff envelopes, sign and stamp postcards to send to our friends and family in the district. We'll also chow down on some delicious pizza. For more information or to RSVP,
register online.
This Saturday, October 20 in Wilmette - Candidates Forum Sponsored by the League of Women Voters
When: Saturday, October 20, 2018 from 9:00am to 12:10pm
Where: Wilmette Village Hall, 1200 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette
What: The League of Women Voters chapters of Evanston, Glenview/Glenco
e, Wilmette, and Winnetka-Kenilw
orth/Northfield will sponsor three Candidate Forums ahead of the November 6 general election. Races covered are US Congressional Representative, IL 9th District; Cook County Commissioner 13th & 14th Districts; and IL State Representative 17th and 18th Districts. The IL State Senate 9th District race will not be covered because a candidate declined participation. Questions will be collected from the audience and asked by a non-partisan moderator. 9:00 - 9:50 am:
9th Congressional District (Jan Schakowsky, John Elleson) 10:00 - 11:00 am:
Cook County Commissioner 13th District (Larry Suffredin and Chris Hanusiak) and
14th District (Scott Britton and Greg Gosslin) 11:10 am - 12:00 pm:
Illinois State Representative 17th District (Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz and Peter Lee) and
18th District (Robyn Gabel and Julie Cho) RSVP is not required.
Tuesday, October 23 in Chicago - Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence Holds Lincoln Awards Luncheon
When: Tuesday, October 23, 2018, 11:30am Check-in; 12:00pm Lunch
Where: University Club of Chicago, 76 E. Monroe, Chicago
What: Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence holds its 2018 Abraham Lincoln Awards Luncheon. Recipients include:
State Senator Don Harmon (D-39) and State Representative Kathleen Willis (D-77). For additional information or to RSVP,
register online.
Tuesday, October 23 - How To Get And Stay On The Ballot
When: Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at 7:00pm
Where: Location to be determined
What: Tenth Dems, Lake Dems and Sixth Dems sponsor a discussion with experienced election law attorneys and campaign strategists about how to get and stay on the 2019 ballot. This presentation is open to any Democrat interested in becoming a candidate in the upcoming (mostly) non-partisan races. RSVP required, so please
register online.
Wednesday, October 24 in Evanston - Annual Fall Rally Supporting Rep. Robyn Gabel
When: Wednesday, October 24, 2018 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Where: Home of Dana Pearl, 1426 Mulford St., Evanston
What: Join Rep. Robyn Gabel for her Annual Fall Rally fundraiser. The Annual Fall Rally will be held at Dana Pearl's home, which is Evanston's first LEED platinum-certified house and was designed by Chicago-based architect Nathan Kipnis. Enjoy an in depth tour of this 100% electric home made from many recycled materials. To RSVP or for more information, you may
register online or contact Katy Langenfeld at 312-600-9496 or katy@kjdstrategies.com.
Saturday, October 27 in Highland Park - State Sen. Julie Morrison's Halloween Day of Action
When: Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 1:00pm
Where: Morrison Campaign HQ , 1910 First Street, Highland Park
What: Calling all ghosts and goblins: Join us for a SPOOKTACULAR Day of Action on Saturday, October 27! We will be knocking on doors to let our neighbors know why they should support Julie on Election Day in November - and, of course, we encourage you to dress up in costume! For more information or to RSVP,
register online. To sign up for other GOTV activities for Julie during the final weeks of her campaign,
register here.
Tuesday, October 30 in Deerfield - An Evening in Support of Congressman Brad Schneider
When: Tuesday, October 30, 2018 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Where: Warehouse Eatery, 833 Waukegan Rd., Deerfield
What: Come for an evening of appetizers and refreshments in support of Congressman Brad Schneider. For additional information or to RSVP,
register online or contact Emanuela Frankel at emanuela@schneiderforcongress.com or Allison Schieber at allison@schneiderforcongress.com.
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
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.
|
| 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.
|
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: 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.
|
|
|
| |
|
