1) Attend the Illinois Democratic Convention in Springfield on Wednesday August 13. We are encouraging folks to go to the Convention, pass out flyers and network.

2) Attend or Organize a national platform meeting anytime before July 27, 2008. Attend or host a platform meeting at http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/listening/.  A sample Healthcare Not Warfare Resoultion is listed below.

PDA-Chicago endorsed Rachel Shattuck’s candidacy for the 49th district of Illinois State Assembly, following her presentation to the Chapter Monday July 14th. Chapter endorsement opens the door to active support for Shattuck’s’ campaign.

One of the new generation of young progressives arising in Illinois, Shattuck told the group that she will win Illinois State Rep seat in the now Republican 49th district --Elgin, Geneva, West Dundee-- by taking strong progressive stands on issues like single payer health care and a progressive tax. She said it will be a grassroots campaign that delivers a personal message to voters. She asked that PDA-Chicago help her conduct a strong grassroots outreach.

The 14th District Progressives Chapter endorsed Rachel earlier this month.

The 4th Annual PDA Grassroots Leadership Conference will be held in Chicago, August 1-3, 2008, at the Wyndham-O’Hare. Because of the expense and limited housing, many members of the PDA community are reporting they will be unable to go to Denver for the Democratic Convention, and we are due for our annual get-together. Since this is also the same weekend we celebrate our fourth birthday, we will meet in advance of the Democratic National Convention in this more centralized location. 

PDA considers all members of our community to be grassroots leaders, and we encourage you to attend. The conference is designed to provide PDA grassroots leaders with organizing tools and help to use them effectively, provide a format for reviewing past accomplishments, needed improvements, charting PDA’s course, as well as providing opportunities to meet and network with other PDA grassroots leaders. 

Full House at the First Annual Conference. Initial photo report provided by Kathy Salzano below.

Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) - Illinois Conference 2008

Amy Tauchman of DuPage Democrats -  Power Opening Presentation
Bill Bianchi Leads Group Discussion	Bill Barlay Facilitating Panel Discussion

Keynote Speaker, author and journalist Stephen Kinzer	Julie Huen leads breakout session on electoral skills

July 6, 2008  
 
For More Information Contact:
William Bianchi
PDAChicago@gmail.com

 
Progressive Democrats Conference Draws  Illinois Progressives, Activists to Historic Farm

“More and Better Democrats,” was the theme of the first annual statewide conference hosted by Progressive Democrats of America –Illinois (PDA-IL), the state coordinating committee for PDA chapters. The day-long event attracted over 70 progressive activists to the historic Marvel Davis Farm in Big Rock, Illinois, June 28. 

Noted journalist and author Stephen Kinzer keynoted the event, which featured workshops, panels and the inter-active participation of progressive activists from around the state.

Bill Bianchi, Chair of Chicago PDA and co-chair of the event, said the conference was designed to bring people together who are frustrated with a broken political system.  “Democratic majorities in Springfield have not pushed for a progressive agenda of change in Illinois, and a Democratic controlled Congress and Senate have not fixed the economy or brought change to Washington,” said Bianchi.  “We need more Democrats, yes, but we also need better Democrats who are willing to serve the people of our great state and country.”

In addition to PDA, groups attending the conference included Democracy for America (DFA), MoveOn Council of Fox Valley, Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Fox Valley Peace and Justice, DuPage Democrats, Greater Chicago Caucus, Illinois Campaign to Abolish the Death Penalty and several local Democratic precinct captains.   

Several candidates attended the event, seeking support.  They included a representative from Bob Abboud’s 16th District Congressional campaign, State Representative candidate, Dennis Grosskopf and Aurora Mayoral candidate, Stephanie Kifowit.

To date, the organization has endorsed one State Representative candidate, Rachel Shattuck, who is challenging Republican Representative, Tim Schmitz in Illinois’ 49th District.

Conference co-chair Laurel Bault, of District 14 PDA added, “We had several progressive candidates attending, and many active PDA members, but it was the attendees from the general public who told us—emphatically-- that Progressives stand exactly where the majority of the American people stand.”

Jim Luebke, chair of District 14 PDA, noted that the opportunity to host the event on the group’s home territory was a bonus. “It allowed us to ensure that many of our members were able to attend and hear perspectives from more experienced groups.  Since we are less than a year old, this helps us find our feet,” said Luebke.
 
For conference photos and more on Kinzer, visit the organization’s Illinois website at www.pdaillinois.org and for more on the organization’s philosophy and structure; see the PDA national website at www.pdamerica.org.

Contact:

Bill Bianchi   773/935-3346 

Laurel Bault   630 484 4874

Because of strong public support, The Health Care for All Illinois Act (H.B. 311) continues to move forward in the Illinois General Assembly. Help end the healthcare crisis in Illinois! Please ask your Illinois representative to co-sponsor H.B. 311, using the message below.

Martin Luther King, Jr. - Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.

Click Here to Request Your Illinois State Representatives to Co-Sponsor H.B. 311

Note! Link determines who your represntatives in the Illinois House and Senate are. Allows you to send a direct email message to your representatives, asking them to co-sponsor H.B. 311