IL-03: A Grassroots Dem Steps Up to Take on The Accidental Congressman

Written by: Eric Davis on Jun 13, 2007 12:54 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Oak Park DFA Meeting

Illinois's Third Congressional District is currently represented by Dan Lipinski, son of the longtime incumbent William Lipinski. Bill stepped out last cycle and put his son up for the nomination and the Chicago/Cook County machine put Danny boy in office.

Personally, I'm offended by the idea of a hereditary legislative seat (or a Presidency for that matter but that's for another time). We fought a Revolution to do away with just that sort of thing.

Howard Dean challenged us all - including me personally - to step up to the plate, to run for local elective office, to populate the grassroots with what many now proudly call Dean Democrats. He also challenged those progressive local officials out there to take the next step, to the State or Federal change. One of those, I'm pleased to report to Dean Nation, is Mark Pera. IL-03 is one of the few competitive Dem incumbent seats in the country. We can help replace a DINO with a member of the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party.

www.markperaforcongress.com OK, the site is VERY basic but he's starting to get help. He does have an ActBlue page if you like what you see. A YouTube video is coming.

First of all, Mark Pera has lived in the District for a long time. This is important - those DC Dems who cooked up the Duckworth candidacy and pushed aside Christine Cegelis missed that part entirely. For the past several years, the man some have labeled "The Accidental Congressman" was living in Tennessee teaching at a local college there. Until Dad called him back to his boyhood residence in Illinois that is, after more than a decade away, to hold the family seat in the House.

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DFA conference call - Schakowsky+Durbin re Obama-Duckworth ad and more

Written by: Eric Davis on Oct 20, 2006 5:10 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Illinois

You are invited to a free conference call! DFA is sponsoring an open conference call for Democrats from across the state of Illinois! The immediate purpose is to enlist support to get Barack Obama's terrific ad for Tammy Duckworth (www.duckworthforcongress.com/obama) - where Barack puts the lie to Peter Roskam's smear campaign (you've seen them) - on the air in the Chicago TV market. Join this unique effort to fight back. For the cost of this email (!) you can get on the phone with Tammy along with DFA's special guests, Dick Durbin and Jan Schakowsky. Other special guests will likely be on the line for you to hear from.

www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=148...

Sign up and you will be emailed the number and access code. You will have the chance to ask these and other luminaries a question and ALSO to hear about several of the other important Illinois local and Congressional campaigns that also need your support.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS INFORMATION ASAP TO ANY OTHER GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS YOU THINK MAY BE INTERESTED. This is a chance for us to reach out to other progressives and enlist them in the DFA movement. Once they RSVP on DFAlink we will be able to contact them in the future about upcoming DFA meetings and other activities.

www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=148...

One of our goals with this statewide all-hands-on-deck is to help give direction to the wave, to bring together progressive/Democratic groups (DFA, MoveOn, PDA, DL21C, Young Dems, etc.) and focus our effect in the final days of the campaign(s).

Join us and make a difference! With a final hard push we can help move - maybe as many as three! - Illinois House seats currently held by Republicans into the D column.

Event Title: Illinois DFA call with Sen. Durbin & Rep. Schakowsky
Event Type: Conference Call
Event Date: Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Event Time: 7:00 PM Central

www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=148...
Sign up and you will be emailed the number and access code.

Eric Davis
Oak Park DFA Organizer
Oak Park Township Trustee
Former Statewide Co-ordinator, Illinois For Dean
www.DemocracyForAmerica.com
www.DemocracyForIllinois.org
Democracy For Illinois is a volunteer organization dedicated to advancing the progressive, grassroots democratic ideals and methods of Howard Dean's presidential campaign but is not affiliated with or endorsed by Democracy For America or Howard Dean, MD.

DFA conference call - Obama-Duckworth ad and more

Written by: Eric Davis on Oct 20, 2006 5:04 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Oak Park DFA Meeting

You are invited to a free conference call! DFA is sponsoring an open conference call for Democrats from across the state of Illinois! The immediate purpose is to enlist support to get Barack Obama's terrific ad for Tammy Duckworth (www.duckworthforcongress.com/obama) - where Barack puts the lie to Peter Roskam's smear campaign (you've seen them) - on the air in the Chicago TV market. Join this unique effort to fight back. For the cost of this email (!) you can get on the phone with Tammy along with DFA's special guests, Dick Durbin and Jan Schakowsky. Other special guests will likely be on the line for you to hear from.

www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=148...

Sign up and you will be emailed the number and access code. You will have the chance to ask these and other luminaries a question and ALSO to hear about several of the other important Illinois local and Congressional campaigns that also need your support.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS INFORMATION ASAP TO ANY OTHER GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS YOU THINK MAY BE INTERESTED. This is a chance for us to reach out to other progressives and enlist them in the DFA movement. Once they RSVP on DFAlink we will be able to contact them in the future about upcoming DFA meetings and other activities.

www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=148...

One of our goals with this statewide all-hands-on-deck is to help give direction to the wave, to bring together progressive/Democratic groups (DFA, MoveOn, PDA, DL21C, Young Dems, etc.) and focus our effect in the final days of the campaign(s).

Join us and make a difference! With a final hard push we can help move - maybe as many as three! - Illinois House seats currently held by Republicans into the D column.

Event Title: Illinois DFA call with Sen. Durbin & Rep. Schakowsky
Event Type: Conference Call
Event Date: Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Event Time: 7:00 PM Central

www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=148...
Sign up and you will be emailed the number and access code.

Eric Davis
Founder, Democracy For Illinois
Oak Park Township Trustee
Former Statewide Co-ordinator, Illinois For Dean
www.DemocracyForAmerica.com
www.DemocracyForIllinois.org
Democracy For Illinois is a volunteer organization dedicated to advancing the progressive, grassroots democratic ideals and methods of Howard Dean's presidential campaign but is not affiliated with or endorsed by Democracy For America or Howard Dean, MD.

Reminder - DFA Oak Park Tomorrow Night!

Written by: Eric Davis on Sep 5, 2006 12:42 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Oak Park DFA Meeting

I hope you'll be able to come to the Buzz at 7 tomorrow night. Much has happened in the past month but far more to come in the next 63 days! News about the strengthening of our statewide ties through Democracy for Illinois, about the DFI website and about efforts to make an impact in local precincts in our area.

Plus the distinct possibility of a special guest - stay tuned.

Please RSVP and come join us!

Oak Park Forum on Blog for America!

Written by: Eric Davis on Jul 21, 2006 2:40 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Oak Park DFA Meeting

Our friends in Burlington, Vermont have taken notice of how successful our recent Iraq War Forum was! Check it out at

www.blogforamerica.com... - the post is today, July 21st and it went up at 1:00 PM.

Please take a moment to RSVP for the August 2nd Linkup - www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=101... - and BRING A FRIEND ALONG!

We may have a special guest. What we DEFINITELY will have is a fun follow-up to a great event. :)

Eric Davis
Oak Park DFA Organizer

ALERT: Progressives Needed At County Slating Session!

Written by: Eric Davis on Jul 18, 2006 10:25 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Illinois

9:24 AM 7-18-06 There is going to be a move today by some strong progressive Illinois Democratic officials to alter the anti-(small-d)democratic "done deal" to replace President John Stroger on the ballot for Cook County Board President in the November elections.

These progressives are going to take a REAL HIT from Party insiders for their courage in standing up to do the right thing. If there is ANY WAY for you to get to the Allegro Hotel for the 11:00 meeting - CHAIRED BY SPEAKER MADIGAN - (www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=105...)please find a way to do so. Many had given up hope that an open process was possible and that one or more of the alternatives to the insider-deal candidate might have a shot.

Please try to come today if you can and stand up for those progressive leaders who are standing up for us.

Attend Oak Park DFA Iraq War Forum on July 15!

Written by: Eric Davis on Jul 14, 2006 5:52 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Illinois

Dear Member,

Just a quick reminder: Please join us - and invite your friends! - attend the Oak Park DFA Iraq War Forum on Saturday, July 15, 2006 at 10:00 AM. We have an outstanding panel and it should be a very informed, broad-based and informative discussion of "a way forward" for Iraq.

You can RSVP at:

www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=999...

What: Oak Park DFA Iraq War Forum
When: Saturday, July 15, 2006, 10:00 AM
Where: Oak Park Public Library Main Branch
834 Lake Street
Oak Park IL 60301

Attend Oak Park DFA Iraq War Forum on July 15!

Written by: Eric Davis on Jul 6, 2006 1:00 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Illinois

Dear Member,

Please join us for the Oak Park DFA Iraq War Forum on Saturday, July 15, 2006 at 10:00 AM. You can RSVP at:

www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=999...

What: Oak Park DFA Iraq War Forum
When: Saturday, July 15, 2006, 10:00 AM
Where: Oak Park Public Library Main Branch
834 Lake Street
Oak Park IL 60301

Eric Davis, Oak Park DFA Organizer

Attend Oak Park DFA Iraq War Forum on July 15!

Written by: Eric Davis on Jul 5, 2006 10:11 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Illinois

Dear Member,

Please attend Oak Park DFA Iraq War Forum on Saturday, July 15, 2006 at 10:00 AM. You can RSVP at:

www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=999...

What: Oak Park DFA Iraq War Forum
When: Saturday, July 15, 2006, 10:00 AM
Where: Oak Park Public Library Main Branch
834 Lake Street
Oak Park IL 60301

Dan Seals and Danny Davis - Oak Park DFA event!

Written by: Eric Davis on Jun 21, 2006 3:56 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Oak Park DFA Meeting

If you haven't already, plan to join us THIS SATURDAY from 1-3 PM to support Dan Seals, Democratic candidate for Congress from the 10th District (North Shore).

Oak Park's own Don Harmon will be joining Danny Davis and others to welcome a man that Cong. Davis has called "the next Barack Obama!"

Saturday, June 24th
The home of Camaro and John Powers
734 Fair Oaks, Oak Park
1-3 PM
Suggested donation: $75, Host Committee $250
RSVP to 708-560-6745

Dan is an aggressive progressive - he has the knowledge and the passion to represent this trending-Democratic District that is currently "represented" by Mark Kirk, that fiercely independent voice that votes with George Bush 91% of the time!

You can learn more about Dan at www.dansealsforcongress.com...

Oak Park can help Take Back Congress by helping to add Dan's voice to that of Danny Davis. You can make a difference in a race that Cook's Political Report now labels as one of four in Illinois that are "in play."

(FEC note) Contributions to Dan Seals for Congress are not deductible for Federal income tax purposes. This invitation was produced by volunteer effort and was not paid for or endorsed by any candidate or candidate's committee.