*This is specific to the purposely-created Illinois pension mess, and deserves your immediate attention. This is a MUST-READ story if you live in Illinois. - Dan
Friday, August 2, 2013
Move On Petition wins the day for Online Registration
Great news! Over the weekend, Governor Pat Quinn signed online voter registration into law in Illinois, making it more accessible for hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans to participate in upcoming elections. MoveOn members across the state signed the petition started by Rebecca Reynolds and the Chicago Votes Team—and we won!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Deadline to register for Camp Wellstone is tomorrow. See if your answer to these questions is YES!
If you answer YES to any
of these questions – CAMP WELLSTONE will help you
SUCCEED!
SANDY’S
LIGHTHOUSE
Definitions of Advocate: vigorously recommend or
support or opposes something: Synonyms: believer,
activist, campaigner, sponsor.
-
Do you find yourself involved in an activity to improve lives, improve education, improve the environment or to build a stronger community?
-
Do you find yourself described as someone who vigorously supports or opposes something, especially a political cause?
-
Do you find you are passionate or a believer in what you’re supporting?
If you answer YES
to just one of these questions, your community needs you to have an
impact on public policy decisions. There are many ways you can Advocate -
Speaking out, Being Informed, Engaging with your community, Raising awareness about the cause, or Telling the story of why this cause is important.
Camp Wellstone will teach you the WINNING way in a 2.5 day super-engaging crash course coming to Lombard August 9-11. Tuition includes WELLSTONE'S Exclusive materials and topnotch trainers, as well as dinner on Friday, continental breakfast & lunch both Saturday and Sunday with snacks throughout.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS TOMORROW, AUGUST 1
Time is running out to sign-up for this invigorating course. Sign up here today.
You'll be glad you did!!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Sign Udall's Reform the Patriot Act petition.
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Monday, July 29, 2013
The Times they are a Changin' but YOU need to be ready for 'em . Camp Wellstone deadline ahead.
Please don't delay. SIGN UP here today for Camp Wellstone. You will learn more in one weekend than you have in years and with it will come a great sense of personal
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| August 9-11 Lombard IL Call 630-699-5071 with ANY questions about CW |
POWER and ADVOCACY!
Sunday, July 28, 2013
UPDATE: EXPAND Social Security
DuPage County,
With corporations cutting worker pensions, our grandparents and veterans need Social Security more -- not less.
Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman says we should increase them. Senators Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Mark Begich (D-Alaska) agree. Even better, they're doing something about it.
Sens. Harkin and Begich will be on MSNBC's Ed Show this Saturday at 5pm Eastern to discuss this bold proposal.
Unlike the president's proposal to cut Social Security benefits, Harkin and Begich would give a worker $452 more per year by age 75 and $807 more by age 85.
And they would make millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share by "scrapping the cap" on what wealthy people pay into Social Security. This would pay for the benefit expansion and extend Social Security's solvency for decades.
We're working directly with Senators Harkin and Begich to move these bills forward.
This petition and this weekend's Ed Show appearance are the first steps. Then come calls to Congress, local press conferences, and the release of poll numbers showing the popularity of this proposal.
It's time for progressives to play offense. That's what we're doing. Join the fight!
-- Stephanie Taylor, Adam Green, Kimberly Fountain, and the PCCC team
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Obama's Call to Action. DO one thing in August. Go to Camp Wellstone.
GO HERE to sign up for Camp Wellstone August 9-11 and honor President Obama's August Call to Action!
Friday, July 26, 2013
Congresswoman Duckworth Herald's 23rd Anniversary of the ADA
| An Important Anniversary For ADA |
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Thursday, July 25, 2013
Why a 22 year old liberal, from what use to be one of the most conservative counties in the country, chose Camp Wellstone : Part III
by Carly Hanson
Camp Wellstone is not only for social organizers, it also invites those who would like to
potentially run for office and those who would like to work or volunteer on a
campaign. It provides them with the tools and resources one would need to be
successful in each of these tasks. They focus on thing such as campaign
planning, budgeting, writing, fundraising, canvassing, giving speeches, and how
to manage a successful campaign.
I,
a liberal twenty-two year old female, who grew up in an extremely conservative
area, has chosen Camp Wellstone to lead me into the next stage of my life. I
know they will prepare me with the tools and resources needed to make the
progressive changes that I want to spend the rest of my life pursuing. If you,
like me, are looking for a way to begin following your dreams, as large and
scary as they may be, you might want to start here. If you are interested in social
organizing, working on a political campaign or even running for a political
office, this is the best place to start. Take the first step in doing what you
want to do for the rest of your life. I’ll see you there! Camp Wellstone, August 9-11 http://bit.ly/CWIllinois
Only about a week more to make the registration deadline.
If you can't go but want to hep someone who wants to but needs a little boost in the buckaroos, please go here
https://secure.actblue.com/page/campwellstone
https://secure.actblue.com/page/campwellstone
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Why a 22 year old liberal, from what use to be one of the most conservative counties in the country, chose Camp Wellstone : Part II
by Carly Hanson
Camp
Wellstone, coming to DuPage in just a few weeks, is a three day weekend event conducted by Wellstone Action, a
non-profit organization that offers many different types of training camps and
events that aim to teach citizens how to create progressive change. Wellstone
Action holds about 100 Wellstone Camps across the country per year, and boasts
around 30,000 alumni. Camp Wellstone offers three tracks to pick from:
grassroots organizing, running for a political office, and working on a
political campaign. I personally have chosen grassroots organizing, as I am
interested to learn the tools of social organizing for progressive change.
When
I was taking a class on non-profit organizations, our professor stressed how
important camps like these are for careers. He insisted that if we wanted to
continue with social organizing, non-profit work, campaign work, etc, we must
attended one of these camps. He explained many with careers in these paths are
encouraged to attend a camp every few years, as there is always new information
to be learned. As I want to continue on in social organizing and non-profit
work, I knew this camp would provide me with the right tools for this career
path.
If you are inspired to change something, anything, and make it a career that has meaning for you, JOIN ME at Camp Wellstone, August 9-11 http://bit.ly/CWIllinois
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Why a 22 year old liberal, from what use to be one of the most conservative counties in the country, chose Camp Wellston: Part I
by Carly Hanson
I
grew up in a home where politics was regular conversation, as my father was
an extremely passionate liberal. He would often wake me up in the middle of the
night to listen to him debate on the radio. I was always enthralled when I got
to listen, partly because he was on the radio, and partly because I could feel
my passion for politics growing. He was always patient, explaining to me in the
most simple way possible, as I was all of ten years old at the time. I remember him taking me to a
Dupage Democrats booth at a Naperville festival and introducing me to everyone.
His name was Mark Hanson and he was a member of the Dupage Democrats up until 2004
when he passed away from cancer. Perhaps you knew him.
Now,
nearly ten years later, my enthusiasm for politics has only grown. As cliche as
it sounds, his passing inspired me to follow my dreams, no matter what they
are, or how impractical they may seem because I experienced first-hand how
fragile life is. Studying sociology has opened my eyes to the staggering amount
of injustices that happen every day to people in this country. I want to stop
these injustices, to make life better for others, to finish what he never got
the chance to do. By becoming a social organizer, I feel that I’ll be able to
do just that. Fortunately, I found the perfect way to take the first steps
toward my dream in a program based on the dreams of one of my father’s favorite
politicians, the late Paul Wellstone.If you are inspired to change something, anything, and to do it with heart and purpose, JOIN ME at Camp Wellstone, August 9-11 http://bit.ly/CWIllinois
Invitation to "Hoola Hoop" with Fermi Lab.
Everyone is invited to celebrate it’s arrival atFermilab
SANDY’S LIGHTHOUSE
Quote to remember: "There are two sides to every experience, deciding which side to honor makes all the difference."~Paul E. Sjordal
As you know, I am fascinated with what I nicknamed the “Huge Hoola Hoop”. This 50 foot wide,15 ton electromagnet started it’s 3200 mile journey on June 22nd from New York. It then traveled through the Golf Coast and Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway through the Tennessee River through Kentucky to the Mississippi River entering Illinois. It then floated along the Illinois and Des Plaines Rivers then completed it’s journey by truck to it’s new home Fermilab in Batavia.
On Friday, July 26th, Fermilab is inviting the public to celebrate it’s safe arrival and watch Emmert International, the company responsible for it’s relocation, move the magnet across Fermilab grounds. It begins at 5:30 at Wilson Hall. A group photo with the ring and all who are present will be taken around 7 p.m. For more information on this go to:
http://www.fnal.gov/pub/today/archive/archive_2013/today13-07-17.html or visit the Muon g-2 big move website for more information.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Sandy's Lighthouse Perfect Weekend Guide
SANDY’S LIGHTHOUSE
Looking for something special to do this weekend?
The weather is to be perfect this weekend. If you are looking for something to do outdoors with your family, other half or the best company I know...yourself-there is two events I think are worth checking out.
Saturday, July 20th-Chicagoland Automobile Trade Assoc. hosting USO BBQ for the TROOPS
On a mission to raise awareness and funds for local troops and their families, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) has enlisted its dealership members to host a USO Barbecue for the Troops fundraising event on Saturday, July 20. More than 50 dealerships representing more than 35 communities across Chicagoland will fire up the grill, offer "free" services, such as car washes, and collect donations to support the USO of Illinois. One hundred percent of the proceeds raised will support troops deployed and at home; military families; wounded, ill and injured troops as well as families of the fallen.
Go to: www.drivechicago.com for a complete list of participating dealers with links to their websites and Facebook pages.
Sunday July 21, Fire and Police Appreciation Day!
Jul 21 2013 - 11:00am - 7:00pm
COME OUT AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!
The Remembrance Rescue Project is a not-for-profit created by firefighters to restore, preserve and share Rescue 4 and Rescue 5 from 9/11 as educational tools, historical artifacts and memorials. The Project strives to keep the memories alive of those lost on September 11th and all firefighters killed in the line of duty every year. For further information on entry fees go to:http://www.arlingtonpark.com/calendar/fire-police-appreciation-day
No matter what your choice of events is this weekend...ENJOY!!!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
A little of the Unusual
SANDY’S LIGHTHOUSE
I like to bring to you a little of the unusual, a bit of the important and sometimes just an overall fun fact.
Hoola-Hoop update....
As I promised. This is an update on what I call the Huge Hoola Hoop. This weekend the 50-foot-wide circular electromagnet finally arrives at FermiLab. If you can grab a glance I-355 and I-88 are just a few of the roads you may get a chance to see this phenomenal site. In case have not heard of this before, here’s some info...
For the past month, a 50-foot-wide circular electromagnet has been on a fantastic journey to Fermilab in Batavia. The magnet is moving from the Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York to Fermilab. On July 26, that voyage is expected to conclude, and Fermilab is planning a party for the public to celebrate its new acquisition. The magnet is the centerpiece of Fermilab’s new Muon g-2 experiment, which will study the properties of elusive subatomic particles called muons. The ring was built at Brookhaven National Laboratory in the 1990s for a similar experiment. Moving the ring from New York to Illinois costs roughly 10 times less than building a new one. So the magnet, essentially three rings of aluminum with superconducting coils inside, has spent the last few weeks on a barge, heading down the east coast, around the tip of Florida, into the Gulf of Mexico and then up a series of rivers toward Lemont. It’s been a tricky voyage, because the 17-ton ring cannot be taken apart, or twisted more than a few degrees without irreparably damaging the coils inside. The ring is expected to arrive in Lemont this weekend, and will be moved from the barge to a specially adapted truck, which will drive it along interstate routes and through suburban streets to Fermilab July 23 to 25. The ring will move at night, using rolling roadblocks to close off intersections, and will utilize portions of Interstate 355 and Interstate 88, along with a series of local roads.…
Just a few things the Governor has been doing...
Health Insurance Marketplace Recruits Community Organizations Across Illinois to Educate the Public on Health Care Options
New Law Will Help Firms Equally Compete for State Construction and Business Contracts
Work Will Create Thousands of Jobs Rebuilding Nation’s Most Congested Interchange, Reducing Traffic Delays by 50 Percent and Saving 1.6 Million Gallons of Gas
After General Assembly Fails Yet Again to Pass Comprehensive Pension Reform, Governor Vetoes Out Legislative Salaries and Stipends
To read more go to: www.illinois.gov
Other points of interest....
Sheila Simon Challenges Judy Baar Topinka For Illinois Comptroller
Miller: Pension Committee to look at “incomplete” numbers
Thinking Green: Naperville Area Sustainability Groups http://www.meetup.com/Naperville-Area-Sustainability-Group
What happened today in 1936...
The first Oscar Meyer Wienermobile rolled out of General Body Company’s factory in Chicago, IL
Please listen to your body during this hot weather. Stay hydrated and cool!
I’d like to thank Paul Sjordal for allowing me to share from his fantastic newsletter. If you would like to receive a copy of Paul’s newsletter you may contact him at: psjordal@yahoo.com
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
How we Can Honor the American Tragedy of Trayvon
“The death of Trayvon
Martin was a tragedy. Not just for his family, or for any one community,
but for America. I know this case has elicited strong passions. And in
the wake of the verdict, I know those passions may be running even
higher. But we are a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken. I now ask
every American to respect the call for calm reflection from two parents
who lost their young son. And as we do,
we should ask ourselves if we’re doing all we can to widen the circle of
compassion and understanding in our own communities. We should ask
ourselves if we’re doing all we can to stem the tide of gun violence
that claims too many lives across this country on a daily basis. We
should ask ourselves, as individuals and as a society, how we can
prevent future tragedies like this. As citizens, that’s a job for all of
us. That’s the way to honor Trayvon Martin.” --
President Barack Obama
President Barack Obama
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
This video about Camp Wellstone will have you registering in a heart beat!
See you all on August 9th!
Monday, July 15, 2013
Breaking News. NO MADIGAN in GOV Race
Madigan takes on 4th Term as AG
Tribune reporters
Attorney General Lisa Madigan on Monday announced she would seek a fourth term in office, ending months of speculation about whether she would seek to challenge Gov. Pat Quinn in the Democratic primary.
The Democratic attorney general cited her father, powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan, as a main reason for not seeking the governor's office.
"I considered running for governor because of the need for effective management from that office and the frustration so many of us feel about the current lack of progress on critical issues facing Illinois," Madigan said in a statement. "Ultimately, however, there has always been another consideration that impacts my decision. I feel strongly that the state would not be well served by having a governor and speaker of the House from the same family and have never planned to run for governor if that would be the case. With Speaker Madigan planning to continue in office, I will not run for governor."
READ MORE
Tribune reporters
Attorney General Lisa Madigan on Monday announced she would seek a fourth term in office, ending months of speculation about whether she would seek to challenge Gov. Pat Quinn in the Democratic primary.
The Democratic attorney general cited her father, powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan, as a main reason for not seeking the governor's office.
"I considered running for governor because of the need for effective management from that office and the frustration so many of us feel about the current lack of progress on critical issues facing Illinois," Madigan said in a statement. "Ultimately, however, there has always been another consideration that impacts my decision. I feel strongly that the state would not be well served by having a governor and speaker of the House from the same family and have never planned to run for governor if that would be the case. With Speaker Madigan planning to continue in office, I will not run for governor."
READ MORE
Daniel Dolan-Laughlin, Wheaton Resident, Honored at White House
A year and a half ago,
Wheaton resident Daniel Dolan-Laughlin was given two or three days to live. On
Tuesday morning, the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease survivor and
double-lung transplant recipient was honored at the White House for his
volunteer efforts. Dolan-Laughlin, a retired railroad executive and American Lung Association
volunteer, was one of 11 people honored as "Champions of Change" who are working
on the front lines to protect public health in a changing climate. "I've
supported cleaner air and efforts to clean up the air for five or six years," he
said. "It was not until my near tragedy and comeback that I decided to do what I
could to give back to the American Lung Association in any way I could."
Dolan-Laughlin has since given testimony in Environmental Protection Agency
hearings regarding power plant pollution and automobile tailpipe emissions. He
also volunteers to meet with government officials in support of stronger clean
air regulations and regularly leads lung association "Better Breathers Club"
meetings to help others cope with COPD. "We call on politicians and advocate for
the hundreds of thousands of people who don't get a chance to plead for their
cause," he said. "I try to be their voice." The Champions of
Change program was created as an opportunity for the
White House to feature groups of Americans — individuals, businesses and
organizations — who are doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire
members of their communities. Dolan-Laughlin, honored and humbled by his
selection, called the assembly of "champions" a powerful group.
I’d like to thank Paul Sjordal for allowing me to
use pieces from his newsletter. If you would like to receive a copy of Paul’s
newsletter you can contact him at: psjordal@yahoo.com
Sunday, July 14, 2013
10 weird renewable energy sources
10 weird renewable energy sources Alternatives to fossil fuels don’t stop at wind and solar...
Friday, July 12, 2013
Alright Already!! Enough Complaining about Glass-Steagall. Support a new Act.
We learned during the 2008
financial crisis that Wall Street is not just taking risks with their
own money -- they are taking risks with the whole economy.
A new Glass-Steagall would
separate high-risk investment banks from more traditional banking. It
would allow Wall Street to take risks, but not by dipping into the life
savings and retirement accounts of regular people.
And by making banks smaller, a new Glass-Steagall could also help put
an end to banks that are "too big to fail" -- further avoiding costly
taxpayer bailouts.Please help us pass a new Glass-Steagall Act. Join the fight here.
I've already talked about this petition on MSNBC, and I'll keep my Senate colleagues informed of the growing public support for this reform.
By mobilizing people across the nation, we can get this done.
Thank you,
Senator Elizabeth Warren
Senator Elizabeth Warren
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