Upcoming Elections

By Leni

In Elections, ILVOTE

Posted May 17, 2022

Prepping for the Midterms with Kina Collins and Litesa Wallace – Get Out the Vote

Early voting starts May 19 and election day is on June 28 in Illinois!

Join ILVOTE to prepare for the Midterms and get people out to vote.

Zoom: https://bit.ly/ILVOTE-JuneA1

Wednesday June 1 at 7:30pm-9pm.

Hear from Indivisible endorsed candidates, Kina Collins for Congress in IL7 and Litesa Wallace for Congress in IL17.

We will discuss issues that are primary concerns of voters such as abortion justice, environmental justice, gun violence prevention, and workers’ rights/labor unions. Submit a question now: https://bit.ly/question-june1

By Leni

In Elections, Rural Illinois

Posted May 12, 2022

Video: Fill In The Ballot: Candidates for Every Office with Michael Frerichs and Cindy Cunningham

Indivisible Illinois Community Collaborative hosted by Indivisible Rural Illinois, May 11, 2022

Fill in the ballot: Candidates for EVERY Office

Throughout the state of Illinois, there will be empty ballot positions on the June 28, 2022 Democratic primary ballot. These are missed opportunities! How can we encourage qualified progressive neighbors to step up and run for public office? This is particularly challenging when members of the opposite party are often intimidating and the chance of winning in a rural area can feel nearly impossible. On May 11, two Illinois leaders, both from very small towns, will share ideas on how to begin to build a public profile prior to running for office. Join us to hear from our State Treasurer, Michael Frerichs, and Cindy Cunningham, candidate for the 104th Illinois State House. They will share their insights and experiences on running for office in deep red areas of Illinois.

By Leni

In Elections, Rural Illinois

Posted May 9, 2022

Indivisible Rural Illinois Presents: Fill In The Ballot, Candidates For Every Office!

May 11, 7:30pm, Central Time

Register here for the virtual event on Zoom.

Throughout the State of Illinois, there will be empty ballot positions on the June 28, 2022, Democratic primary ballot. These are missed opportunities!

How can we encourage qualified progressive neighbors to step up and run for public office? This is particularly challenging when members of the opposite party are often intimidating and the chance of winning in a rural area can feel nearly impossible.

On May 11, two Illinois leaders, both from very small towns, will share ideas on how to begin to build a public profile prior to running for office. Join us to hear from our State Treasurer, Michael Frerichs, and Cindy Cunningham, candidate for the 104th Illinois State House. They will share their insights and experiences on running for office in deep red areas of Illinois. Please join us! Register here.

By Leni

In Elections

Posted May 9, 2022

WISCONSIN: LEARN WHAT IT TAKES TO PERSUADE SWING VOTERS

Sunday, May 15, 3:30-5:00 PM CDT

Indivisible Wrigleyville Monthly Meeting (Virtual Event)

Speaker: Sara Russell Rodriguez, current member of the Wisconsin Assembly and candidate for Lieutenant in the November mid-term elections.

The outcome of the 2022 mid-term elections rests on a few key states. Wisconsin is at the top of that list. Here’s what’s at stake in Wisconsin: an open U.S Senate Seat that could flip from Red to Blue; a Governor’s Race where Gov. Evers has stood as the last line of defense to keep democracy alive despite the best efforts of the state GOP to strip him of authority; five key U.S. House Seats; and a state legislature that is a hair’s breadth away from having a Republican super-majority.

Joe Biden won the state in 2022 with 0.63% of the vote. Tony Evers won the Governorship in 2018 by 1.1%.

It’s fair to say that, in Wisconsin in 2022, every vote counts.

To win in November, Democrats must turn out voters not just in the blue strongholds of Milwaukee and Madison, but also persuade swing voters in other areas of the state. Sara Rodriguez, who is running for Lt Governor, has a proven track-record of reaching these voters. In 2020, she flipped one of two State Assembly seats from Red to Blue.

Sara will share her perspective on how to persuade swing voters. She will also provide a first-hand account of the situation on the ground in WI.

Join Indivisible Wrigleyville in welcoming Sara on Sunday May 15^th from 3:30 to 5:00 PM CDT. Nick Truog, the WisDems Political Director is also tentatively scheduled to participate.

Click to directly join the Zoom meeting here.

Meeting ID: 851 0006 2525

Passcode: 082583

By Leni

In Elections, Press Release

Posted April 26, 2022

Indivisible Freeport and Indivisible Peoria Endorse Litesa Wallace for Congress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 24, 2022

Contact: IndivisibleFreeport@gmail.com, 815-541-4031

Indivisible Freeport and Indivisible Peoria Endorse Litesa Wallace for Congress

Freeport, Peoria– Indivisible Freeport and Indivisible Peoria issued the following joint statement announcing their endorsement of Litesa Wallace, a Democrat running for the 17th Congressional District.

“We are proud to support Rep. Litesa Wallace in her campaign to represent the people of the 17th Congressional District. Rep. Wallace has a documented history of fighting for working families and a commitment to the values that bring our Indivisible groups together: democracy, equality, justice, compassion, and inclusion.”

“Rep. Wallace has demonstrated her dedication to our communities through her long record of service in the Illinois General Assembly, first as Chief of Staff to Rep. Chuck Jefferson and later as State Representative herself. For years she worked to make childcare more affordable, provide fair school funding, strengthen human services infrastructure, and secure reproductive freedom for all, regardless of income. She understands how public policy impacts families and what needs to change to improve people’s lives.”

“Rep. Wallace’s platform and stance on the issues aligns with our values. Residents of the 17th District need a representative who will boldly stand up to the right-wing agenda that threatens democracy, worsens wealth inequality, emboldens anti-immigrant nativism, and exacerbates climate change. We are certain that Litesa Wallace will be that representative.”

“To keep this seat, Democrats need a candidate who can inspire a diverse coalition of progressive voters from every corner of our district. We know Litesa Wallace is that candidate. Indivisibles in Freeport and Peoria are ready to help mobilize this district and do the work necessary to elect her to Congress.”

To earn Indivisible Freeport and Indivisible Peoria’s endorsements, Litesa Wallace cleared a multi-stage process, ultimately earning the support of both groups’ membership.

Indivisible Freeport and Indivisible Peoria members will be launching regular weekend canvasses for Rep. Wallace and will be organizing evening phone banks. Information about the campaign can be found at LitesaWallaceforCongress.com

# # #

About Indivisible Freeport and Indivisible Peoria: Indivisible Freeport and Indivisible Peoria are grassroots activist groups formed in 2017 following the election of Donald Trump. They are committed to registering and activating voters and holding our elected officials accountable to the values of democracy, equality, justice, compassion, and inclusion. Across the country, over 5,000 Indivisible groups are holding their members of Congress and elected leaders accountable using local advocacy tactics.

By Leni

In Elections, ILVOTE, Voices of Indivisible, voter registration

Posted April 24, 2022

Recording: How Localism Helps Democracy and Keeps Us Safe with ILVOTE

Watch the recording from the Indivisible Illinois Community Collaborative statewide grassroots meeting hosted by ILVOTE, April 20, 2022:

“How Localism Helps Democracy and Keeps Us Safe”

Thank you to our network. Solidarity to you wherever you are as you fight for a better world for all of us.

Event Description:

Community leaders and organizers understand the importance of knowing their neighbors in order to win on issues that have an impact on us all. When is the right time to strengthen your local connections? Who benefits when local communities share values that benefit us all and why? Join Indivisible Illinois and ILVOTE co-founder Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth for a presentation on Empowering Communities for Public Safety followed by an open discussion around local elections and how to get involved in your community right now.

About ILVOTE

ILVOTE is certified through the Illinois State Board of Elections as a bona fide State Civic Organization for voter registration purposes. In addition, ILVOTE works to increase voter awareness and promote voter turnout for every election at the federal, state and local levels. We achieve our goals by working in coalition with other grassroots partners to host forums, deputy voter registrar trainings and voter registration drives that are open to all. We encourage individuals to take initiative and do voter registration and awareness whenever possible in their daily lives. We believe that an engaged and informed electorate leads to a successful democracy.

To establish certification for ILVOTE in your jurisdiction and to find out how you and members of your community can become deputy voter registrars through your election authority, please contact Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth at lhoppenworth@indivisibleil.com.

By Leni

In Antiracism, Elections, ILVOTE

Posted April 17, 2022

Statewide Call with ILVOTE – How Localism Helps Democracy and Keeps Us Safe

Statewide Call with ILVOTE - How Localism Helps Democracy and Keeps Us Safe

WHAT: Statewide Call with ILVOTE – How Localism Helps Democracy and Keeps Us Safe

WHO: all are welcomed

WHEN: Wednesday, April 20, 2022 f rom 7:30p-9p

Virtual on Zoom. Register: https://bit.ly/april20-ilvote

Community leaders and organizers understand the importance of knowing their neighbors in order to win on issues that have an impact on us all. When is the right time to strengthen your local connections? Who benefits when local communities share values that benefit us all and why? Join Indivisible Illinois and ILVOTE co-founder Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth for a presentation on Empowering Communities for Public Safety followed by an open discussion around local elections and how to get involved in your community right now.

About ILVOTE

ILVOTE is certified through the Illinois State Board of Elections as a bona fide State Civic Organization for voter registration purposes. In addition, ILVOTE works to increase voter awareness and promote voter turnout for every election at the federal, state and local levels. We achieve our goals by working in coalition with other grassroots partners to host forums, deputy voter registrar trainings and voter registration drives that are open to all. We encourage individuals to take initiative and do voter registration and awareness whenever possible in their daily lives. We believe that an engaged and informed electorate leads to a successful democracy.

To establish certification for ILVOTE in your jurisdiction and to find out how you and members of your community can become deputy voter registrars through your election authority, please contact Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth at lhoppenworth@indivisibleil.com.

By Leni

In Elections, Indivisible IL9

Posted March 29, 2022

Candidate Forum on Housing and Housing Affordability in the 13th State Representative District

Watch the livestream here.

Outstanding Illinois House Majority Leader – and proud 46th Ward Democrat – Greg Harris is retiring and there is now an exciting “open seat” race among six candidates running to succeed him. Housing / housing affordability issues were always a priority for Leader Harris, who championed state housing funding for homeless LGBTQ youth, seniors, immigrants, people with disabilities and many other communities in our district.

We all know the cost of housing is a critical issue impacting everyone – of all backgrounds and income levels – in our community. That’s why 46th Ward Democrats – in conjunction with Indivisible – has organized this Zoom forum to hear directly from these State Representative candidates on this topic. We need to know their views and what they would do in Springfield to impact housing affordability and access.

TOPICS TO BE ADDRESSED ON THE ZOOM FORUM INCLUDE:

PROPERTY TAXES
STATE PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS
HOUSING FOR VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES
ADDRESSING UTILITY COSTS – GAS, HEAT, WATER, ELECTRICITY
COALITION BUILDING LOCALLY TO ADDRESS HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESS
Q+A BETWEEN PARTICIPANTS AND CANDIDATES

Background: Housing and Affordable Housing in Chicago

Indivisible IL9 Antiracist Work Group discussed housing and affordable housing at the February 27, 2022 meeting. The following resources were shared:

“The Chicago Housing Authority Explained [South Side Weekly Feb 2022]

Can The New Affordable Requirements Ordinance Help Solve Chicago’s Housing Inequality? [South Side Weekly Feb 2022]
Recently, Peirce Racial Equity Parents’ Group (REP) presented a workshop about affordable housing
- If you have time, watch the presentation here [1hr 24m]
- Don’t have time to watch? See the slide deck here (lots of good info in there – it’s worth paging through).
- Additional affordable housing resources were provided from ONE Northside

Here is some news about some current affordable housing projects going on in Chicago:

Rehab Of Historical Lincoln Park Hotel Into Affordable Studio Apartments Primed To Get Key City Funding [Block Club Chicago, Feb 2022]
Current ONE Northside affordable housing campaigns
City, Activists Clash Over Woodlawn Housing Plans [WTTV Feb 2022]
Last year, the city announced that Chicago’s first net-zero all-affordable high-rise would be built in the Loop. Watch an informational video about the project here. This design was chosen as part of the city’s C40 Reinventing Cities Competition.

We cannot talk about affordable housing without also considering Chicago’s long history—which goes on today—of segregation. FIRSTHAND: Segregation is an in-depth resource from WTTV featuring videos, essays, and more. Learn about Chicago history, hear personal stories from Chicagoans, and much more. Some highlights:

How Did Chicago Become So Segregated? By Inventing Modern Segregation
Talks | FIRSTHAND: Segregation: A series of short videos (~10 min each) of residents discussing their own experiences of segregation in Chicago

By Leni

In Elections

Posted March 3, 2022

Video: Author David Pepper: How State Legislatures Are Becoming Anti-Democratic Forces

Indivisible Illinois’ Vote by Mail Taskforce hosted David Pepper, author of Laboratories of Autocracy, at the March 2 Indivisible Illinois Community Collaborative Meeting, 7:30-9 pm. His topic: “Our Democracy Is Shaped in the States – And the Side Attacking Democracy Knows It All Too Well!!”

Pepper is the former chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party, among other state, county, and city elected positions. He has also taught voting rights at the University of Cincinnati School of Law. His book, says the Washington Post’s Paul Waldman, “persuasively argues that the site of the most pernicious corruption and assaults on democracy is not where congressional Republicans roam. It’s in the statehouses, which Pepper calls ‘the most corrosive danger America faces.'”

As state legislatures across the country seem hell-bent on passing anti-voter bills, it’s clear that state houses are indeed a grave danger to democracy. Pepper explains what steps we can take to combat this slide into autocracy and takes questions.

By Leni

In Elections, ESST

Posted February 27, 2022

Indivisible Illinois State Call Hosted by Vote by Mail Taskforce March 2, 2022 with David Pepper

March 2, 7:30-9pm:

Author David Pepper on How State Legislatures Are Becoming Anti-Democratic Forces

Indivisible Illinois State Call Hosted by Vote by Mail Taskforce

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Speaker: David Pepper, Author of Laboratories of Autocracy

Date: Wednesday March 2, 2022

Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm CT

Location: ZOOM

Join Indivisible Illinois’ Vote by Mail Taskforce as we host David Pepper, author of Laboratories of Autocracy. His topic: “Our Democracy Is Shaped in the States – And the Side Attacking Democracy Knows It All Too Well!!””

Pepper is the former chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party, among other state, county, and city elected positions. He has also taught voting rights at the University of Cincinnati School of Law. His book, says the Washington Post’s Paul Waldman, “persuasively argues that the site of the most pernicious corruption and assaults on democracy is not where congressional Republicans roam. It’s in the statehouses, which Pepper calls ‘the most corrosive danger America faces.'”

This important Indivisible Illinois Community Collaborative Meeting is on March 2, 7:30-9 pm.

RSVP: Indivisible Illinois State Call Hosted by Vote by Mail Taskforce with Guest Speaker David Pepper

Upcoming Elections

Illinois Midterm Elections

Primary: June 28, 2022

General: November 8, 2022

Plan Your Vote

Register to vote or check your voter registration

Make a plan to vote

Understanding Your Ballot

Offices on the ballot

Redistricting following the 2020 census

Ballot resources

Elections Blog

Prepping for the Midterms with Kina Collins and Litesa Wallace – Get Out the Vote

Video: Fill In The Ballot: Candidates for Every Office with Michael Frerichs and Cindy Cunningham

Indivisible Rural Illinois Presents: Fill In The Ballot, Candidates For Every Office!

WISCONSIN: LEARN WHAT IT TAKES TO PERSUADE SWING VOTERS

Indivisible Freeport and Indivisible Peoria Endorse Litesa Wallace for Congress

Recording: How Localism Helps Democracy and Keeps Us Safe with ILVOTE

Statewide Call with ILVOTE – How Localism Helps Democracy and Keeps Us Safe

Candidate Forum on Housing and Housing Affordability in the 13th State Representative District

Background: Housing and Affordable Housing in Chicago

Video: Author David Pepper: How State Legislatures Are Becoming Anti-Democratic Forces

Indivisible Illinois State Call Hosted by Vote by Mail Taskforce March 2, 2022 with David Pepper

March 2, 7:30-9pm:

Author David Pepper on How State Legislatures Are Becoming Anti-Democratic Forces