Latest Action Items

North Shore Indivisible is committed to taking ACTION to bring about the change we want to see.

What follows is a list of ACTIONS individuals can take to engage in the political process.

If you completed an action, post something in the comments. What did the staffer say when you called? Did you get a person, voicemail? Did you receive any response? Tell us about it.

If you experience any technical difficulties on this page, please submit an incident ticket.

Action Therapy – Places to Go to Find Things to Do

Posted on by Sonny Cohen

The familiar refrain is often, “What can I do?” often accompanied by some hand wringing about the state of our democracy. For starters, here are some remarkable resources.

Just remember: You can’t do everything. But you can do something. Put a stake in the ground and get to work:

Americans of Conscience Checklist

The AoC Checklist features clear, well-researched actions for Americans who value democracy, equality, voting, and respect. To stay engaged through challenging times, we practice gratitude, self-care, and celebration.

5 Calls

5 Calls is the easiest and most effective way for citizens to make an impact in national and local politics

Small Deeds Done (are better than great deeds planned)

So let’s break the work down! Let’s make it manageable. Small actions are not insignificant. A grand master plan means nothing unless someone (like you) takes the small steps that need to happen to make it a reality.

And that’s what Small Deeds is all about. It’s about each of us taking regular, small steps – that together lead to massive, crushing, world-bending change.

“How to Beat Trump” – An Action Step

Posted on by Sonny Cohen

Indivisible member Linda Chiles recommends reaching out to Democratic presidential candidates with this action step. All necessary resources are provided in this post. You just have to make the effort.  In her words:

“I just finished my little project of writing to the DNC (Nancy Pelosi, Seema Nanda-CEO, Chuck Schumer, Tom Perez) and all the candidates about this article I had read that I really agree with.  See the attachments.
I thought your group might be interested in doing this, too, provided, of course, they agree with this Republican author.  I’m sending it to my contacts and encouraging them to write to these folks as well.  I don’t know if it does any good but it sure makes me feel better.
☺“
Download the following:

Democratic Presidential Candidate Watch Party Workbook

Posted on by Sonny Cohen

“You can’t tell the players without a scorecard.”

Down load this Indivisible Debate Watch Guide

As we head into 2020, we have a historically strong and diverse Democratic field. We have candidates who are unafraid to take bold positions on unrigging our democracy, creating a people-first immigration policy, and leaning into ambitious plans to address climate change. And we have candidates from a wide range of backgrounds: current US Senators, mayors of large and small cities, and two former members of the Obama administration. For the first time in our country’s history, we have a field that includes Latino, Black, white and AAPI candidates; gay and straight candidates; and working class candidates who are rejecting corporate PAC money.

We know the stakes are high. But we think concerns about “electability” are a self-fulfilling prophecy. So we’re focused on engaging with 2020 candidates on their own merits: finding candidates who have a good plan on the issues that matter to us, and are able to tell a compelling story about their candidacy and motivate the broad multiracial coalition we need to build to win in 2020.

If you’re hosting a debate watch party, print one or two copies of the Candidates section for the whole party. This section is a reference, if you find yourself wondering who some of the candidates on the stage are.

Print individual copies of the workbook section for everyone at your party to fill out. Print double-sided if you can!

Ask Congressman Schneider About His Impeachment Position

Posted on by Sonny Cohen

Please read the following draft letter. If you agree with the content and wish to be a co-signer, send an email to Joan Reed (joni.reed@comcast.net) by noon 6/18/19:

Dear Representative Schneider,

We are concerned citizens in your district who want to have a more complete understanding of your decision to support congressional investigation rather than press for investigation under the auspices of impeachment proceedings.

We are proceeding on the assumption that you agree with the over 1,000 prosecutors who have signed onto a letter stating the Mueller’s report sets out a sufficient basis to proceed with impeachment.

We also understand further investigation may likely uncover other crimes, in addition to those set forth by Michael Cohen. As history has shown us, additional evidence and witness testimony that becomes unearthed may very well change the Senate’s current intransigent stance.

In terms of the distinction between committee investigations and impeachment proceedings, we would like your take on why you prefer the former. What advantages do non-impeachment hearings provide? From legal experts, we have been made aware that impeachment, as a judicial proceeding, will likely result in faster, more comprehensive investigations. Impeachment proceedings may also give the judiciary committee a stronger case for obtaining certain materials protected from disclosure by statute, like the grand jury materials from Mueller’s investigation. Under impeachment, the House would be in a stronger position to demand contempt penalties. With impeachment also comes the power to gather information in foreign countries, These are just four reasons why we understand impeachment to be preferable.

In terms of political repercussions, we would like to understand the risks of a 2020 Republican backlash to impeachment proceedings. Why is the risk of a Republican wave more likely than the risk of constituents voting out a Democratic representative who does not take a stand to impeach in favor of another Democratic contender? How does that outweigh a Representative’s constitutional duty to uphold the rule of law during their tenure?

Are there any other considerations, whether they be political, legal or otherwise, that you’re taking into account as you make your decision to stay the course rather than go through an impeachment proceeding?

Please contact either of the first two signatories to this letter. We would greatly appreciate an in person discussion when you are next in Illinois. We feel time is of the essence. Thank you for your consideration.

IF YOU AGREE WITH THIS LETTER AND WISH TO SIGN ON, YOU MUST SEND AN EMAIL TO JOAN REED (joni.reed@comcast.net) BY 6/18/19.

Defend Migrant Families from Trump’s Attacks

Posted on by Sonny Cohen
Defend migrant families from Trump’s attacks
Hi #Resisters,
June 30th marks one year from the day that #Resisters held over 800 rallies across the country to tell the Trump administration that #FamiliesBelongTogether. Still many families remain separated. #Resisters are coming together to commemorate this anniversary and to demand all families be reunited.
Here’s what #Resisters can do in their own communities:
2. Reach out to #Resist’s organizers to chat about what actions would make the most impact for your area
It’s unacceptable that one year later families are still being separated. #Resisters can make a difference by standing up to this administration and demanding families be reunited. Can you host a #FamiliesBelongTogether event?
Thank you for everything you do,
Anu

Protect Endangered Species in Illinois

Posted on by Lynne Hoyer
Protect Endangered Species in IL

Oppose IL HB2425/SB1336 which threaten endangered species

Email your IL Senator & Representative

Right now, protections for endangered and threatened species in Illinois are under attack.
Anti-wildlife members of the Illinois State Legislature, emboldened by the Trump administration and its Big Ag and fossil fuel allies, are fighting hard to gut the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act.
If we don’t stop them, it could spell trouble for monarch butterflies, owls, birds, turtles, and other imperiled wildlife.

OPPOSE the Toxic Pebble Mine

Posted on by Lynne Hoyer
Toxic Pebble Mine

Tell the Army Corps that You Oppose the Mine!

The Trump administration is recklessly rushing the approval of the Pebble Mine, the highly controversial gold and copper mine proposed for Alaska’s pristine Bristol Bay. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently released a draft environmental impact statement that completely ignores potential catastrophic wildlife destruction and impacts to local commercial fisheries. You can put pressure on the Army Corps by telling them to reject the Pebble Mine proposal.

Email the Army Corps during Public Comment Period ending May 30

Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act

Posted on by Lynne Hoyer
Protect Arctic Refuge

Urge your US House Rep to cosponsor the Act

Email your U.S. House Representative

Restore vital protections for Alaska’s pristine Arctic Refuge.
The long-fought battle to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — our nation’s greatest wildlife sanctuary — is heating up on Capitol Hill. Right now, a new bill is moving through Congress that would block the Trump administration’s disastrous plan to allow destructive oil exploration and drilling in the Arctic Refuge and restore protections to this pristine wild place. Legislation is the only surefire way to protect the Arctic Refuge permanently from fossil fuel development. We need your help to mobilize massive public pressure on every representative in Congress to support this critical bill.

Oppose HB 1633, which tries to squash protest

Posted on by Lynne Hoyer
Squashes protest

Infamous HB 1633:

  • Squashes protests with heavy penalties
  • Responds to Standing Rock protests
  • Supported by American Petroleum Institute, Koch Industries, Energy Transfer Partners
  • Opposed by ACLU, Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights, Greenpeace, Save Our Illinois Land, National Lawyers Guild
  • Read more HERE

Contact your IL Representatives:

  • 51st District, Mary Edly-Allen, Email, Springfield: 217-782-3696, Libertyville: 224-206-7647
  • 58th District, Bob Morgan, Email, Springfield: 217-782-0902, Highwood: 847-681-8580
  • 59th District, Daniel Didech, Email, Springfield: 217-782-0499, Buffalo Grove: 847-478-9909
  • 60th District, Rita Mayfield, Email, Springfield: 217-558-1012, Waukegan: 847-599-2800
  • 61st District, Joyce Mason, Email, Springfield: 217-782-8151, Gurnee: 847-855-8600
  • 62nd District, Sam Yingling, Email, Springfield: 217-782-1664 Round Lake Beach: 847-231-6262