Minutes of September 3, 2008 meeting

Written by: W A Thomasson on Sep 19, 2008 11:33 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Oak Park DFA Meeting

 Three of us were at the Buzz Care for our regular first-Wednesday meeting. (We later learned that one other person had come but had been unable to locate the rest of us.) As previously announced, our founding organizer, Eric Davis, will be unable to continue as an active member due to pressures of work. Thus, the main order of business was to decide how to proceed without him.

 Our immediate decision was to skip the scheduled October meeting but to plan for our regular meeting the first Wednesday in November – the day after Election Day. In the meantime, everyone is urged to get involved in either the Obama campaign or that of Oak Park DFA-endorsed candidate Scott Harper, running for Congress in IL-13. In the meantime, your correspondent will serve as the meeting’s contact person.

 In November we will decide on future activities. As Pat emphasized, it is important for the group to actually do things rather than just sit around and talk. He suggested that Oak Parkers do not need to be educated, which by implication ruled out forums. Bill, however, argued that there are a number of topics on which Oak Parker may still have things to learn. One example is the “smart growth” forum that Eric had suggested some months ago. Evelyn added that in her town, Forest Park, a group called Citizens United had held a number of highly successful and informative forums.

 There will be much more to decide in November. Hope to see everyone at the Buzz!

 Respectfully submitted,

 Bill Thomasson

bill.thomasson@att.net

Minutes of July meeting

Written by: W A Thomasson on Aug 4, 2008 4:41 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Oak Park DFA Meeting

MINUTES OF OAK PARK DFA MEETING, July 9, 2008

 Four people were initially present for the meeting, which opened with a general discussion of Obama and his stands on the issues. We then turned to the main business of the meeting, which was to plan our participation in Congressional candidate (IL-13) Scott Harper’s “13 for the 13^th” canvassing event. (Ben asked what national DFA had suggested for our agenda. It turned out to be exactly what we were doing: providing support for down-ticket candidates.) The agreement was that we would go to the Berwyn station of the Burlington Metra line and take the train out to the 13^th district, where the campaign would see that we got to the meeting point for the start of the canvassing. As Eric noted, Harper is going to be riding some impressive coattails in November, with not only Obama but Durbin at the top of the ticket. We had trouble even remembering who Durbin’s opponent is.

 At that point, Rob – whose recent tonsillectomy we had discussed earlier – arrived. This led to further discussion of Obama, starting with FISA. There was an interesting suggestion that President Obama may modify some of the worst provisions of the bill, either by executive order or by seeking a revised bill. It was also noted that the bill does not grant immunity to criminal prosecution. If one wants to hold Bushco accountable, the way to do that is to bring criminal prosecutions against members of the Bush administration.

 Rob also noted that Obama has run a really amazing campaign, taking the best of what previous candidates had done and avoiding their mistakes. (Although Rob is primarily affiliated with the Democratic Party of Oak Park, DPOP works so closely with the Obama campaign that he is practically an Obama staffer.) Like the Dean campaign, the Obnama campaign is bottom-up. But, Rob said, the Dean campaign had no top. In the Obama campaign, staff and volunteers are thoroughly integrated. Most campaigns wouldn’t dream of letting a volunteer near the database. In the Obama campaign, volunteers regularly work on the database. But both volunteers and staffers get new passwords weekly.

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Minutes of July 17 Meeting

Written by: W A Thomasson on Jun 23, 2008 12:21 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Oak Park DFA Meeting

Eleven people were present to meet Scott Harper, running for Congress against Judy Biggert in the 13th district. The 13th district is essentially southern DuPage County, with a corner of southwestern Cook County and part of northern Will County.

 Before Scott arrived, Eric mentioned the Unite for Change event that DPOP and the West Suburban Obama Team are holding at the Oak Park Public Library on Saturday, June 29, 3 to 5 pm.

 Because Scott was delayed in traffic, his Campaign Manager and his Director of Field Operations arrived before he did. Eric suggested that we each outline our previous campaign involvement, demonstrating that we are not exactly “virgins” in this area. Clearly, we aren’t.

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Minutes of the Last FOUR Oak Park DFA Meetings

Written by: W A Thomasson on May 12, 2008 12:39 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Oak Park DFA Meeting

 My apologies, everyone. I got busy and just couldn’t keep up. But here is a synopsis of what has been happening.

 February 6

 Five people attended despite the absolutely abysmal weather. We discusses the previous day’s elections, including the disappointing lost by out supported candidate, Mark Pera. We also discussed further actions we might take, including possible forums we might sponsor and working through national DFA to urge Al Gore to say he would endorse whichever candidate would make global warming an first-100-days priority. There seemed little hope that national DFA would take such a stand, however. No concrete action was taken on future forum sponsorship, although the idea remains very much on the table.

MORE BELOW THE FOLD

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Oak Park DFA Group Meeting, Nov 7, 2007

Written by: W A Thomasson on Nov 22, 2007 8:02 PM EST

Linked to groups: Oak Park DFA Meeting

 Regrettably, only three DFAers attended this meeting (Eric had been unavoidably detained at a meeting that ran longer than originally scheduled). The low turnout was especially regrettable because State Rep. Deborah Graham met with us seeking our endorsement. For the past five years Graham has represented the portion of Oak Park north of Washington Blvd. as well as portions of west and northwest Chicago. 

At the moment it appears that Graham has a primary opponent, Phyllis Logan from the Austin neighborhood of Chicago. Logan is a realtor who objects to a bill to prevent foreclosures that Graham supported. However, Graham believe that only about 200 of the 2000 signatures on Logan’s nominating petitions are valid. If this is upheld, Logan will not be on the ballot.

  Rep. Graham is an Austin native who was raised by her grandmother after her mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia. However, she was 26 before she actually learned what her mother’s problem was. Before that, the family had hidden the truth from her. This has given her first-hand insight into the problems of mental illness and how they affect families. 

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October 2007 meeting minutes

Written by: W A Thomasson on Oct 29, 2007 1:03 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Oak Park DFA Meeting

Six people were present for the meeting at La Majada restaurant. We began with a general, unstructured discussion of health care.

 

We then turned to the announced agenda item, discussion of our individual choices for president. We often wandered off topic, but these minutes will keep all the discussion of presidential choices together.

 

 

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Minutes of June-July-August Oak Park (IL) DFA meetings

Written by: W A Thomasson on Aug 19, 2007 9:25 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Oak Park DFA Meeting

June 6

 

I apologize for both the lateness and the skimpiness of these minutes. My notes were even more inadequate than usual and with the passage of time my memory cannot fill in the blanks.

 

Seven people were present. Matt talked about the upcoming meeting of the Young Democrats of Illinois at the headquarters of the Democratic Pary of Oak Park.

 

Plans for a healthcare forum are moving forward. The forum is tentatively scheduled for August 11 at the OP Public Library.

 

Eric talked about two candidates we might support. Mark Pera is running in the 3rd Congressional District Democratic primary against incumbent Dan Lipinski. As many will remember, Lipinski because Congressman in 2004 when his father, the incumbent, announced after the primary that he would not run in the general election and persuaded the relevant committeepersons to put his son on the ballot instead. The current Lipinski is as far right (for a Democrat) as his father but survived a three-way race in the 2006 primary.

 

Pera is a 25-year resident of the district and president of his local school board. He is against the Iraq war and for stem cell research.

 

The other candidate Eric mentioned is Daniel Bliss, running for the Illinois house in the 17th district (Evanston). This is a predominantly Democratic district currently represented by a Republican. Bliss has been endorsed by Jan Schakowsky and Larry Sufferedin.

 

In discussing which we might want to support, Bill mentioned that it would be possible to support Pera in the primary and Bliss in the general election.

 

It was decided that we will invite Pera to speak at our July meeting. Since the first Wednesday is July 4th, that meeting will be scheduled for the 11th and will be held at the OP Public Library. (Note: The library was unavailable on that date, so the meeting was held at La Majada restaurant.)

  

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OAK PARK DFA LINK-UP Minutes of May 2

Written by: W A Thomasson on May 6, 2007 3:03 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Oak Park DFA Meeting

What was originally two people in attendance turned into six, with the last two arriving after the anti-war rally at Scoville Park.

 

E-mail responses to the poll on which forum we should do next were evenly split, with 2 votes for each of the three choices. Three of the first four people at the meeting favored the forum on suburban sprawl (“Up or Out”). After Ron arrived from the rally, however, his report of the 150-200 person attendance and his personal willingness to put together a healthcare/single payer forum swung the decision in that direction. Bill made the point that there are a lot of alternatives to single payer and the forum couldn’t be framed as just single payer vs. not single payer. We are looking toward a date in late July or early August; Eric and Bill will work with Ron on setting it up.

 

It was also agreed that the group will plan to have a table at A Day in Our Village. Bill will check out the registration process and Eric will pay whatever fee may be required.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Bill Thomasson

OAK PARK DFA MEETING, December 6, 2006

Written by: W A Thomasson on Dec 10, 2006 5:31 PM EST

Linked to groups: Oak Park DFA Meeting

Eric opened the meeting by asking people to report their experiences in the election. The first person he called upon was winning campaign manager Rob. Rob reported that Sen. Harmon had ended up with a very satisfying 77% of the vote. They carried every precinct except 5 in Leyden Township. In fact, it appeared that Rowe’s memorably dirty campaign actually cost him votes – he should have started with more than he had at the end.

 

Bill reported that he had worked for Joe Vosicky in representative district 46 (Elmhurst and north). Joe apparently lost by approximately 3 votes per precinct but has filed for a recount. Bill observed that he didn’t really expect the recount to change the outcome, but it is important to always have things checked because that’s how you make sure things stay on the up-and-up. Eric suggested that to have a seat that had been held by Lee Daniels end in a virtual tie was a very promising sign, but Bill responded that Reboletti had hardly campaigned – he had apparently considered the Republican nomination equivalent to election.

 

Todd, who had been Harmon’s field director, said that they had had great people.

 

Commenting more generally, Rob said that the five state Senate seats the Democrats picked up was their absolute dream – the best they ever hoped for if everything went perfectly. They now have the supermajority that will let them push anything they want through the legislature without a single Republican vote. He thought the reason Democrats only picked up one House seat was that Madigan wasn’t optimistic enough. The Speaker hates to spend money on a losing campaign, which has proven to be a very effective strategy overall. But in this case he wrote off two or three seats that hindsight says could have been winnable.

 

Rob observed that from now on the Greens will have automatic ballot access throughout the sate, which led Bill to note that when he closed the polls at Addison Village Hall for the Vosicky campaign he could see from the totals that the people who had voted for Whitney had otherwise voted Republican. Which led Rob to point out that Topinka had the lowest percentage vote of any Republican gubernatorial candidate since the days of FDR.

 

Jim had a question about what is going on with MoveOn. Ben, who is an active member of MoveOn, responded that there is currently a struggle for the soul of the Democratic party. Rahm Emanuel is trying to claim full credit for the November victory, and we must resist those claims. Eric pointed out that Rahm had had a great deal to do with Democratic gains in the House but nothing at all to do with the governors’ chairs the party had picked up.

 

This led to a brief discussion of why there had been no Congressional pickups in Illinois. Rob said that he thought there simply weren’t enough Democratic votes in the 6th district – there was nothing particularly wrong with the candidate or campaign. But redictricting will be coming up for the 2012 election, and if Democrats have solid control of the legislature in 2010 that could switch maybe three seats. Oak Park could end up back in the 6th district, as it was 30 years ago. (Bill remembers when Henry Hyde was his representative.)

 

Returning to the national scene, Rob said he agreed with Newt Gingrich that this election represented a major leftward shift on the part of the American electorate. And added, “Lincoln Chaffee may prove that the only thing in the middle of the road is roadkill.”

 

Matt reported on his election experience. He spent the last week in Missouri working for the McCaskill campaign. On Election Day he was in the call center taking calls about what was going on at the polling places. Instance after instance of voter suppression by Republicans. So bad that everybody from Chicago said they would be glad to get home. But Eric relayed what he had heard from his best man – a Republican activist who had, as it happens, spent Election Day in St. Louis doing exactly the same thing for the Republicans that Matt had for the Democrats. And he had described instance after instance of voter suppression by the Democrats. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” he told Eric.

 

We then turned from the 2006 election to a preliminary discussion of the group’s direction over the next two years. One near-term possibility Eric mentioned derives from a recent conference will with Jim Dean and Tom McMahon, among others: Chicago aldermen Joe Moore and Ricky Munoz have asked for DFA’s help with their reelection campaigns. Many of us know Moore, who was an early, strong Dean supporter. Since Chicago elections are in February (with possible run-offs in April), we will need to make a decision about that next month. April will also see municipal elections, including some in Oak Park. Eric’s a bit reluctant to get involved in the Oak Park elections, however.

 

Ben suggested that we might want to put a good part of our focus over the coming year or so on issues. The Iraq War forum we sponsored was highly successful, and we should perhaps look to do something similar. Rob suggested a forum on education funding might be good. This is a complex issue – more complex than most people realize – and every choice has a down side. But dissatisfaction is widespread and the time for change may be approaching. Most people seemed to like the idea of an education forum, but no decision on this or any other future direction will be made until the next meeting.

 

We concluded by watching the 20-muin version of the movie “Iraq for Sale.”

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Bill Thomasson

Events list beginning October 29

Written by: W A Thomasson on Oct 28, 2006 10:18 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Illinois Sixth Progressive Dems

Just over a week until Election Day!

SIXTH DEMS EVENTS LIST
Events of interest in and near the 6th Congressional District
Beginning October 26

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Undated announcements from the Democratic Party of DuPage County:

Yard Signs -- You can get many yard signs, including Duckworth for Congress signs at the Office of the Democratic Party of DuPage County, 1000 ROHLWING RD, UNIT 5&6, LOMBARD (NW corner of RT 53 & North Ave). You can also contact your Township Chair (email addresses are here) or contact signs@dupagedemocrats.org.

Please participate in our 2006 Membership Drive. Read the Membership letter, and return the response card to Bob Jeffers, Treasurer, Democratic Party of DuPage County, 123 The Lane, Hinsdale IL 60521. Or go to the dupagevol.html - donations page and contribute through Paypal so we can carry the message throughout DuPage County.

Link to the October 2006 DuPage Democrat, the newsletter of the DuPage Democratic Club.

The 2006 supplement to the Democratic Precinct Committeman handbook regarding judges is here (May 2006), and the full handbook is here. (July 2005 Version) Information for the September 23 Executive committee meeting will be posted here.

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Every Day, see below for locations and times: Phone Banking for Tammy Duckworth.
Lombard: 1000 Rohlwing Road, at the corner of North Ave and Rohlwing, in the North Avenue Shopping Mall. Feel free to call us at 630-629-0480, or just to stop by with whatever time you can spare.
Hoffman Estates: Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 to 9 pm, in our office at 2500 W Higgins, Office # 1035. Please RSVP to Shira at (802) 779-6872.
Des Plaines: Every Saturday from 10 to 3 pm, and every Sunday from 1 to 9 pm, at the Machinists Union Hall, at 50 W Oakton Street. Please RSVP to Bridget at 847-691-5065.
Evanston: We also have a phone bank every Thursday in Evanston, starting at 5:30 pm, at 826 Custer, Evanston, IL 60202. Please RSVP to Nick at 414-801-6898.

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October 29(Sunday) 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Tammy Duckworth and Asian Pacific American Democratic Rally with Congressman Mike Honda, Senator Dick Durbin (invited) and others, Viceroy of India Restaurant, 19 W 555 Roosevelt Rd. (west of Highland), Lombard, IL 60148 (630-627-4411) RSVP to Ayame: anagatani@duckworthforcongress.com or (630) 629-0480. www.duckworthforcongress.com

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October 29 (Sunday), noon - 3 p.m.: Watch Bears Game with Joe Vosicky - final fundraiser of the year. At Itasca Country Club, 400 E. Orchard, Itasca. Full lunch including burgers, brats, hot dogs, salads, and more; beer and cocktails available. Tickets $50 - no advance reservations required. For more information call 630-758-0100.

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October 29 (Sunday) 1 p.m.: Hanover Township Democrats & Independents (HanDI) Precinct Outreach (Weekend). We are WALKING and CALLING to introduce: 1) HanDI to Hanover Township voters; 2) Tammy Duckworth, 6th Congressional District candidate; 3) Other candidates, as appropriate. Help support this grassroot's effort to have OUR VOICES heard by our federal, state & county government representatives. If interested in reaching out by phone, tell us how many phone calls you are willing to make this week: 10 or 20 or 30 or ???? Normally, 30 calls can be made in one hour. For canvassing, join us at Super Target-Starbuck/Deli seating area before we head out to the assigned precinct. Address: Rte 59/Sutton Rd & Irving Park Rd, Streamwood.

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October 29 (Sunday), 1 p.m.: Hanover Township Democrats and Independents (HanDI) Phone Banking with Tammy Duckwroth. Come help the Tammy Duckworth campaign reach out to voters in the 6th district! HanDI will be participating in a phone bank 4 times a week until the election. The phone bank has 8 lines, plus outlets to charge your cell phone in case there is a surplus of volunteers making calls. At Carpenters Local 839 Union Hall. 2500 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 1035 (near intersection with Barrington Rd.), Hoffman Estates. For more information, please contact a HanDI officer or Duckworth Field Coordinator Shira Sternberg at 630-629-0480 (office) or 802-779-6872 (cell).

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October 29 (Sunday), 3:30 p.m.: Election Day Lawyers Training, Duckworth campaing. We meet in our South Office, at 416 W 22nd Street, Lombard. Please RSVP to Alex at 630-629-0480.

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October 29 (Sunday), 5 p.m.: Poll Watcher Training, Duckworth campaign. We meet in our South Office, at 416 W 22nd Street, Lombard. Please RSVP to Alex at 630-629-0480

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October 30 (Monday) 5 - 8:30 p.m.: Phone Banking for Pete Gutzmer in Senate district 27. In two hours you can help the campaign personally contact 600 voters! This is a great way to help spread the word about Pete more quickly and keep building momentum! Location in Arlington Heights.If you can't make it on Monday you can stop by the office at 403 N. NW HWY in Paltine (Right next to Photo's Hot Dogs) any M-F from 5pm to 8:30pm! For more information call our office at 847-348-1438 or contact Josh via email

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October 31 (Tuesday), 5 p.m.: Hanover Township Democrats & Independents (HanDI) Phone Banking with Duckworth. Come help the Tammy Duckworth campaign reach out to voters in the 6th district! HanDI will be participating in a phone bank 4 times a week until the election. The phone bank has 8 lines, plus outlets to charge your cell phone in case there is a surplus of volunteers making calls. At Carpenters Local 839 Union Hall, 2500 W. Higgins Rd (near intersection with Barrington Rd.), Hoffman Estates. For more information, please contact a HanDI officer or Duckworth Field Coordinator Shira Sternberg at 630-629-0480 (office) or 802-779-6872 (cell).

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November 1 (Wednesday), 5 p.m.: Hanover Township Democrats & Independents (HanDI) Phone Banking with Duckworth. Come help the Tammy Duckworth campaign reach out to voters in the 6th district! HanDI will be participating in a phone bank 4 times a week until the election. The phone bank has 8 lines, plus outlets to charge your cell phone in case there is a surplus of volunteers making calls. At Carpenters Local 839 Union Hall, 2500 W. Higgins Rd (near intersection with Barrington Rd.), Hoffman Estates. For more information, please contact a HanDI officer or Duckworth Field Coordinator Shira Sternberg at 630-629-0480 (office) or 802-779-6872 (cell).

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November 1 (Wednesday), 7 p.m.: Monthly Meeting of Naperville-Aurora DFA Group. At 95th Street Naperville Public Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr., corner of RT59 & 95th Street, Naperville.

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November 2 (Thursday): Last day for early voting

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November 4 (Saturday), 10 a.m.: Election Day Training for Vosicky Volunteers. Location TBA. Call 630-758-0100 and ask for Connie or Amy or email the campaign if you have questions.

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November 4 (Saturday), following training: Group Canvas with Joe Vosicky. Location TBA. Call 630-758-0100 and ask for Connie or Amy or email the campaign if you have questions.

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November 4 (Saturday), 10 a.m.: Hanover Township Democrats & Independents (HanDI) Phone Banking with Duckworth. Come help the Tammy Duckworth campaign reach out to voters in the 6th district! HanDI will be participating in a phone bank 4 times a week until the election. The phone bank has 8 lines, plus outlets to charge your cell phone in case there is a surplus of volunteers making calls. At Carpenters Local 839 Union Hall, 2500 W. Higgins Rd (near intersection with Barrington Rd.), Hoffman Estates. For more information, please contact a HanDI officer or Duckworth Field Coordinator Shira Sternberg at 630-629-0480 (office) or 802-779-6872 (cell).

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November 4 (Saturday), 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Walk Door to Door with Pete Gutzmer, candidate for State Senate, 27th district. Meet at Gutzmer HQ 403 N. NW HWY (Right next to Photo's Hot Dogs). There isn't a better to way to help than meeting fellow citiens face to face and asking them to support Pete! Plan ahead and pick a Saturday to walk door to door with Pete! Coffee and other morning goodies will always be available! For more information call our office at 847-348-1438 or contact Josh via email

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November 5 (Sunday) 1 p.m.: Hanover Township Democrats & Independents (HanDI) Precinct Outreach (Weekend). We are WALKING and CALLING to introduce: 1) HanDI to Hanover Township voters; 2) Tammy Duckworth, 6th Congressional District candidate; 3) Other candidates, as appropriate. Help support this grassroot's effort to have OUR VOICES heard by our federal, state & county government representatives. If interested in reaching out by phone, tell us how many phone calls you are willing to make this week: 10 or 20 or 30 or ???? Normally, 30 calls can be made in one hour. For canvassing, join us at Super Target-Starbuck/Deli seating area before we head out to the assigned precinct. Address: Rte 59/Sutton Rd & Irving Park Rd, Streamwood.

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November 5 (Sunday), 1 p.m.: Hanover Township Democrats and Independents (HanDI) Phone Banking with Tammy Duckwroth. Come help the Tammy Duckworth campaign reach out to voters in the 6th district! HanDI will be participating in a phone bank 4 times a week until the election. The phone bank has 8 lines, plus outlets to charge your cell phone in case there is a surplus of volunteers making calls. At Carpenters Local 839 Union Hall. 2500 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 1035 (near intersection with Barrington Rd.), Hoffman Estates. For more information, please contact a HanDI officer or Duckworth Field Coordinator Shira Sternberg at 630-629-0480 (office) or 802-779-6872 (cell).

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November 5 (Sunday), time and location TBA: Group Canvas with Joe Vosicky. Call 630-758-0100 and ask for Connie or Amy or email the campaign if you have questions.

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November 6 (Monday) 5 - 8:30 p.m.: Phone Banking for Pete Gutzmer in Senate district 27. In two hours you can help the campaign personally contact 600 voters! This is a great way to help spread the word about Pete more quickly and keep building momentum! Location in Arlington Heights. For more information call our office at 847-348-1438 or contact Josh via email

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November 7 (Tuesday) Illinois Election Day

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November 7 (Tuesday), any time or all day: Volunteer for Tammy Duckworth on Election Day. Go door-to-door to make sure that the voters get out to the polls and that Tammy gets into office. Come out the weekend before too, on November the 4th and the 5th and on Monday the 6th, to remind everyone in the district that their chance to make a change in Washington is coming. The final four days of this election will decide who goes to Washington to represent the 6th District, and Tammy will only win if she gets your help. Please RSVP to 630-629-0480.

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November 7 (Tuesday), 5 p.m.: Hanover Township Democrats & Independents (HanDI) Phone Banking with Duckworth. Come help the Tammy Duckworth campaign reach out to voters in the 6th district! HanDI will be participating in a phone bank 4 times a week until the election. The phone bank has 8 lines, plus outlets to charge your cell phone in case there is a surplus of volunteers making calls. At Carpenters Local 839 Union Hall, 2500 W. Higgins Rd (near intersection with Barrington Rd.), Hoffman Estates. For more information, please contact a HanDI officer or Duckworth Field Coordinator Shira Sternberg at 630-629-0480 (office) or 802-779-6872 (cell).

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November 8 (Wednesday), 7 p.m.: Park Ridge DFA meeting. At Starbuck's, 100 S. Northwest Hwy, Park Ridge.

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November 8 (Wednesday), 7 p.m.: Great Lakes Progressives Institute (monthly meeting of Rolling Meadows DFA group). At group headquarters, 2885 W.Algonquin Rd, Rolling Meadows.

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November 20 (Monday) 7 p.m.: Membership Meeting of the Sixth Illinois Progressive Democrats (Sixthdems). Now that the election is over, come help plan our future. Where do we go from here? At Helen Plum Library, 110 W. Maple St., Lombard, IL, 60148 -- handicapped accessible. Phone Number: 630-627-0316.

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December 2 (Saturday), 7 a.m.: Help Needy Kids Shop for Christmas. The Schaumburg Area Democrats are seeking 500 volunteers to help needy kids get ready for Christmas. Let's show our spirit by joining them in this worthwhile effort! At Wal-Mart in Hanover Park. More details will be posted as they become available.

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December 7 (Thursday), 6:30 p.m.: Democratic Party of DuPage County Holiday Party. Share Democratic cheer at the Arrowhead Golf Club, 26W151 Butterfield Road, Wheaton.

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December 13 (Wednesday), 7 p.m.: NW Suburban NOW Gift Wrapping Fundraiser. Let's lend a hand to the Northwest Suburban chapter of the National Organization for Women. They will be holding a gift-wrapping fundraiser at the Barnes and Noble store in Deer Park (20600 North Rand Road) on Wed. 12/13 and Sat. 12/16. Save the dates -- more information will be posted as it becomes available!

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December 16 (Saturday), 7 p.m.: NW Suburban NOW Gift Wrapping Fundraiser. Let's lend a hand to the Northwest Suburban chapter of the National Organization for Women. They will be holding a gift-wrapping fundraiser at the Barnes and Noble store in Deer Park (20600 North Rand Road) on Wed. 12/13 and Sat. 12/16. Save the dates -- more information will be posted as it becomes available!

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