UPCOMING EVENT
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Register today! http://bit.ly/DirectDemocracyForumRegister
A Path to Direct Democracy
February 3, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
A Path to Direct Democracy
February 3, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Join us on on February 3 at 6:30 PM to hear from experts who between them have decades of experience in direct democracy.
You will hear their first-hand experiences in spearheading and participating in petitioning for citizen-initiatives at the local and state levels, fighting legal challenges, and advocating for a stronger system of direct democracy.
The panelists are:
You will hear their first-hand experiences in spearheading and participating in petitioning for citizen-initiatives at the local and state levels, fighting legal challenges, and advocating for a stronger system of direct democracy.
The panelists are:
Pat Quinn
41st Governor of Illinois
Oliver Hall
Executive Director and General Counsel
Center for Competitive Democracy
Jackson Paller Community Organizer and Former CAC Legal Intern |
Direct democracy puts the power to shape laws and policies in the hands of the people. While many states allow residents to shape legislation and local policy through ballot initiatives, Illinois only allows binding citizen-initiated referendums on narrow questions that are codified in state law with extremely strict specifications. How can Illinois strengthen direct democracy? Join us on February 3 at 6:30 PM! There will be a question and answer period.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 at 6:30 P.M.
A Virtual Screening and Discussion
At the Citizen Advocacy Center, everyone cares about transparent, open, and accountable government. Yet, CAC's community includes people of all political stripes: Green, Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Independent, and more. Our community is rich not only due to its political diversity, but also due to the diverse perspectives derived from our differing cultural, religious, and geographic backgrounds. CAC community lawyers regularly engage with individuals who have different perspectives and know the value that multiple points of view bring to finding solutions to pressing community problems.
CAC community lawyers know this well: No matter what you believe or where you come from, no matter how true your message is or where you stand politically, if we want to be politically effective, we can't only talk to ourselves or to those who echo our points of view. Sadly, a poll after the 2016 election of thousands of people in all 50 states found that 16% had stopped speaking to a family member or close friend over politics. How do we repair the fracturing of so many relationships and revive the basic trust, recognition, and cooperation that are the lifeblood of a shared democracy? Let's start by coming together to screen and discuss PURPLE.
PURPLE tells the story of everyday Americans with opposing viewpoints addressing their differences head-on and discovering the concerns and humanity that lie behind each other's positions.
Join the Citizen Advocacy Center and members of your community to screen the 21-minute video and have a discussion afterward.
Register here:
https://tinyurl.com/ScreenPurpleAmericaWithCAC
PURPLE is a collaboration between Resetting the Table, a political mediation organization, and Landon Van Soest, an Emmy-award winning filmmaker. Filmed in rural Wisconsin and Iowa--in a swing region within two bordering swing states--PURPLE models what healthy public debate on fault-line issues can look like.
A Virtual Screening and Discussion
At the Citizen Advocacy Center, everyone cares about transparent, open, and accountable government. Yet, CAC's community includes people of all political stripes: Green, Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Independent, and more. Our community is rich not only due to its political diversity, but also due to the diverse perspectives derived from our differing cultural, religious, and geographic backgrounds. CAC community lawyers regularly engage with individuals who have different perspectives and know the value that multiple points of view bring to finding solutions to pressing community problems.
CAC community lawyers know this well: No matter what you believe or where you come from, no matter how true your message is or where you stand politically, if we want to be politically effective, we can't only talk to ourselves or to those who echo our points of view. Sadly, a poll after the 2016 election of thousands of people in all 50 states found that 16% had stopped speaking to a family member or close friend over politics. How do we repair the fracturing of so many relationships and revive the basic trust, recognition, and cooperation that are the lifeblood of a shared democracy? Let's start by coming together to screen and discuss PURPLE.
PURPLE tells the story of everyday Americans with opposing viewpoints addressing their differences head-on and discovering the concerns and humanity that lie behind each other's positions.
Join the Citizen Advocacy Center and members of your community to screen the 21-minute video and have a discussion afterward.
Register here:
https://tinyurl.com/ScreenPurpleAmericaWithCAC
PURPLE is a collaboration between Resetting the Table, a political mediation organization, and Landon Van Soest, an Emmy-award winning filmmaker. Filmed in rural Wisconsin and Iowa--in a swing region within two bordering swing states--PURPLE models what healthy public debate on fault-line issues can look like.
CIVIC ADVOCACY & MOBILIZATION
DURING THE PANDEMIC
WEDNESDAY, August 5, 2020
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Register here:
https://bit.ly/AdvocacyCOVIDTime
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CAC's ANNUAL DEMOCRACY NIGHT STARRING
THE SUMMER INTERNS 2020 WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2020 6:30 - 8:30 pm Register here: https://bit.ly/DemocracyNight2020 Get inspired! Join us to hear high school, college, and law students share their research and answer your questions during Democracy Night. Research questions include:
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Free & Fair Elections in Illinois During the Pandemic
JULY 22, 2020
6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
JOIN US VIA ZOOM
REGISTER HERE:
https://bit.ly/2DK4wQF
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Pete Seeger Tribute ConcertMAY 10, 2019
Pete Seeger was not only a gifted musician, he was also a fearless warrior for social justice. The Citizen Advocacy Center will be the featured exhibit at this musical event celebrating the centennial of Pete Seeger. Join CAC in this evening paying tribute to music and activism. Tickets available here: http://events.dom.edu/PeteSeeger |
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ON THE TABLE: Desserts & Democracy - A Civic ConversationMAY 14, 2019
We are the people whose voices that need to be heard. Join us and make your voice heard! On May 14, CAC invites you be part of an "On the Table" conversation. Bring a dessert to share (we build community around a shared table). And, if you wish - bring a student with you. Never before has the civic education and engagement of the next generation been more important. If there is a young person you want to mentor in civic education - invite them to join you. Please RSVP to: Susan Wakefield, susan@citizenadvocacycenter.org, 630-833-9080 |
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Holiday Cheer Party
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Conversations in Local DemocracyBring a friend and join in the discussion of past interaction and experiences of community members with government officials. What are some of the successes and challenges? How can we solve some of the challenges community members face today? We will be discussing the following topics on the following days.
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Candidate Boot Camp - Local Government Candidacy for BeginnersOCTOBER 6, 2018CAC and other organizations will be hosting a free training for the consolidated election of municipal, park district, library district, school district, and fire district officials that will be held April 2019. Learn how to get and stay on the ballot, and hear from local government public officials who went through the process.
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Democracy NightJULY 26, 2018Join us for our annual Democracy Night-- an evening in honor of our summer interns as they talk about what they have learned through their work at CAC.
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BIPA and You: Does this IL Law Reasonably Protect User Privacy or Unreasonably Prevent Company Innovation?JUNE 27, 2018Join us as our PILI fellow, Joseph Hawkins, leads a forum to inform you of your privacy rights as an Illinois resident in accordance to the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Come and be more informed about where you stand!
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National Week of Conversation: What Can We Do to Create Civil Discourse?APRIL 25, 2018The Citizen Advocacy Center is joining with a number of national organizations-- The National Center for Civil Discourse, Listen First, and Bridge Alliance-- as part of a nationwide movement to improve our ability to talk to each other.
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The DuPage Human Race & CACAPRIL 28, 2018WE RUN FOR DEMOCRACY. WE RUN FOR FREEDOM. WE RUN FOR JUSTICE.
CAC will participate in the Human Race, which is sponsored by Giving DuPage. The race is a 5K run or a 2-mile walk. A great family-friendly event. |
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Candidate Boot Camp - Local Government Candidacy for BeginnersAPRIL 14, 2018Are you interested in running for local office and want to know more about it? Here's your chance to ask those in the in-the-know! Hear presentations from eight local public officials, get information about getting on the ballot, and more!
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Sunshine Week Celebration: Cocktails & ConversationMARCH 15, 2018Gather for a lively conversation with like-minded people, who care about open, transparent, and effective government.
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The Independence of the Federal Judiciary FEBRUARY 17, 2018CAC and Courts Matter Illinois Outreach Coordinator Victoria Tejeda-Gervais will discuss what you can do to ensure that judges appointed to lifetime positions on the federal courts will uphold our constitutional values. Leave with a toolkit to take action on the issues that matter to you.
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Engage in Public Participation: Skills for Active Citizenship Discussion Series:Discussion #1: Use Your Voice: Freedom of SpeechNOVEMBER 18, 2017A discussion series on rights and skills for citizen engagement.
The First Amendment is first because it enshrines individual rights that the Founders believed fundamental to our form of government. A discussion of the the history, boundaries, and uses of free speech. |
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Discussion #2: Watch Your Government: The Open Meetings Act (OMA)DECEMBER 2, 2017Illinois law enshrines the right of the public to observe public meetings of elected bodies of government. With few exceptions, when local elected officials meet to discuss public business, you have the right to know about the meeting and what will be discussed, watch and listen to the meeting, and even speak during a designated period for public comment. This discussion will explore the limited exceptions to the Open Meetings Act, your rights under the law, and how you can use the law to be a better government watchdog.
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Discussion #3: Watch Your Government: The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)JANUARY 6, 2018Illinois law enshrines the right of the public to obtain information about government affairs, acts, and policies. The law highlights the citizenry’s “duties of discussing public issues fully and freely, making informed political judgments and monitoring government to ensure that it is being conducted in the public interest.” This session will discuss your rights under FOIA, when the government can deny a records request, and how you use FOIA to fulfill your duties as a citizen.
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Discussion #4: Build an Issue Advocacy CampaignJANUARY 27, 2018In our previous sessions, we discussed the First Amendment Freedom of Speech, the Open Meetings Act, and the Freedom of Information Act. Now, we will explore how to use these and other tools available to the public to create an effective issue advocacy campaign. Join us to learn about organizing your community, learning about your government, arguing your case, and influencing your elected officials. Participants need not have attended previous sessions.
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Holiday Cheer Party Starring: 2017 Citizen Initiative AwardeesDECEMBER 6, 2017It's time to celebrate civic engagement! Each year CAC gives out Citizen Initiative Awards to recognize local community activists who are catalysts for democratic participation and have used civic, legal, and community organizing tools to advocate for a self-identified issue of public concern.
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The Return of Civics to Illinois High SchoolsOCTOBER 3, 2017An event hosted by the League of Women Voters Roselle/Bloomingdale and co-sponsored by the Citizen Advocacy Center.
Why was reform needed? How will the civics state standards be implemented in DuPage County? When and how will the Lake Park community be impacted? What can YOU do to promote civic education in our community? |
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Democracy Night/Summer Intern NightJULY 26, 2017Join us for an evening in honor of our summer interns as they talk about what they have learned through their work at CAC. The interns' project topics include: State Lobbyist Registration Acts, First Amendment issues, the "Rule of Three" for Referendum Ballot Access, "Misuse of Title" as a possible prohibited political activity, the usual gamut of Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act issues, and more.
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