Tenth Dems interns with US Sen. Mark Begich

Highland Park, IL. – The Tenth Congressional District Democrats (“Tenth Dems”) is now accepting applications for its Summer Internship Program. Internships are available to high school juniors and seniors, college undergraduates, and graduate or law students. Numerous former interns have gone on to professional political careers in Washington, D.C., or currently staff national nonprofit organizations.

The 2012 campaign makes this the perfect time to complete a political internship. General assignments include door-to-door canvassing with candidates, work in campaign offices, and staffing of events and issue forums. Specialized assignments are also available in the areas of research, new media, IT management, and political outreach. In the past, interns have staffed Tenth Dems events featuring then-state legislator, and now President, Barack Obama, Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana, Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, former Presidential nominee George McGovern, Governor and Presidential candidate Howard Dean, and Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, as well as numerous Illinois state and local elected officials. The program offers interns a great degree of flexibility to tailor their responsibilities to their interests.

Acceptance into the program is selective and generally contingent upon an interview. Applicants should submit a brief paragraph explaining why they are seeking the internship, along with a resume outlining their educational background and activities. (Neither need be formal.) Although the internships are unpaid educational volunteer positions, course credit is readily available with cooperating high schools and colleges. Summer interns are expected to commit sixteen to twenty hours per week. The organization is particularly interested in applicants with web administration and/or data management skills.

The work that interns do has long been appreciated and recognized. At a recent fundraiser, keynote speaker Senator Mark Begich of Alaska noted with pleasure the presence of 2011 summer interns. Naming the event as one of the most well-organized functions he had ever attended, he called their presence particularly exciting “because the future rests not with us but with young people, especially those here.”

The Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats is a volunteer group with members from all parts of the 10th Congressional District. The 10th District contains portions of both Cook and Lake Counties stretching from Winnetka through Zion and from Lake Michigan west through Round Lake. The District includes all or part of the following townships: Avon, Benton, Deerfield, Grant, Libertyville, Moraine, Shields, Waukegan, West Deerfield, Vernon, Zion and parts of Fremont, Lake Villa, Maine, New Trier, Newport, Northfield, Warren, and Wheeling. Inquiries may be directed to Rian Watt, Intern Coordinator, at rianwatt@tenthdems.org or Lauren Beth Gash, Chair, at laurenbethgash@gmail.com.

Internship deadline approaching is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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Join a distinguished panel of policy experts for a discussion titled: “And Justice for All: Can We Fix Our Criminal Justice System?”on Tuesday, May 15, at 7 p.m. at North Shore Unitarian Church, 2100 Half Day Road, Deerfield, 60015 (just east of I-294 on north side of the street), an event cohosted by Tenth Congressional District Democrats (Tenth Dems) and Common Cause Illinois.

Panel members include Rob Warden, executive director of the Center on Wrongful Convictions; Rey Lopez-Calderon, executive director of Common Cause Illinois; Jed Stone, criminal defense attorney; and former prosecutor Chris Kennedy.

What: “And Justice for All: Can We Fix Our Criminal Justice System?” – a Tenth Dems University panel discussion
When: Tuesday, May 15, at 7 p.m.
Where: North Shore Unitarian Church, 2100 Half Day Rd., Deerfield 60015 (just east of I-294 on north side of street)
Hosts: Tenth Dems and Common Cause Illinois

This Tenth Dems University event is free and open to the public, but preregistration is preferred. Should the capacity of the room be exceeded, priority will be given to those who have registered.

In addition to discussing the wrongful-conviction mess in Lake County, the panel will discuss problems and offer solutions to these critical issues facing our community:

• Why are thousands of people spending time in prison for crimes they didn’t commit?
• What are the economic and social costs of wrongful convictions on our community?
• Why would innocent people admit to a crime they didn’t commit?
• What changes can be made to law enforcement, prosecution, and our judicial system to prevent further damage?

Rob Warden is an award-winning legal affairs journalist and cofounder of the Center on Wrongful Convictions. Warden has won more than 50 journalism awards, and in 2003 he was inducted into the Chicago Journalism Hall of Fame.

Rey Lopez-Calderon is a former labor organizer and political consultant who is currently the executive director of Common Cause Illinois. He is the founding community organizer of Alliance of the Southeast, a faith-based social-justice organization that brings together African Americans and Latinos on the South Side of Chicago.

As a criminal justice attorney for Stone and Associates, Jed Stone has acquired a nationwide reputation for the vigorous advocacy of fairness for his clients. He has been featured frequently on local and national television.

Chris Kennedy is a former prosecutor and statewide advocate for Illinois’ most vulnerable citizens, and he has passed landmark legislation. He is the Democratic candidate for Lake County State’s Attorney.

For more info, call 847-266-VOTE (8683) or email: info@TenthDems.org.

As the Tenth Dems urge: Get ready to rock and enroll!

Why has Lake County become Exhibit A in the national discussion on wrongful convictions? is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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May 2012 Newsletter

In this issue of Tenth News:

• Yes, We Did! The Obama Record on Women’s Issues
• To Be a Democrat
• Democrats Are Smart Enough to Listen to Differing Opinions and Then Decide for Themselves
• Chilling
• The Supreme Court and the Health Law Cases—“It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over”
• President Obama and Israel
• The Politics of Engagement: Jack Strom
• The Community Connection Corner
• Polarities Help Us Avoid Our Fears and Get What We Want

Yes, We Did! The Obama Record on Women’s Issues
by Eleonora di Liscia
Our continuing series on President Obama’s accomplishments during his first term in office focuses this month on women’s issues.

To Be a Democrat
by Ron Levitsky
Poll after poll shows our country is politically polarized. Now, more than ever, is an opportune time to examine, as our author has, what it means “to be a Democrat.”

Democrats Are Smart Enough to Listen to Differing Opinions and Then Decide for Themselves
by Sharon Sanders
The U.S. Supreme Court has a long history of making controversial decisions, few more so than last year’s Citizens United ruling. At a recent Tenth Dems University/Move to Amend co-sponsored event, University of Chicago Law School Professor Geoffrey Stone rendered his verdict on Citizens United and what proponents of campaign finance reform can, and can’t, do about it.

Chilling
by Jack Altschuler
What kind of America do we really want, for ourselves and for our children? Our democracy is being co-opted, says the author of this article. What can we do to stop it from happening?

The Supreme Court and the Health Law Cases—“It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over”
by Miles J. Zaremski
Following the Supreme Court arguments in late March on whether or not the healthcare law (“Obamacare”) is constitutional or not, author and lawyer Miles J. Zaremski offers some insights.

President Obama and Israel
by Steve Sheffey
Of all the misinformation that has been circulated about President Obama during his first term in office, no topic has generated more distortions and outright lies than the President’s record on Israel. It’s time to lay out the facts. It’s time for the truth.

The Politics of Engagement: Jack Strom
by Eleonora di Liscia
Tenth Dems succeeds as an organization only through the efforts of its hard-working volunteers. We regularly spotlight some of these amazing people in this newsletter. This month, the spotlight shines on Jack Strom.

The Community Connection Corner
by Vicki Bailyn
It’s been nearly a year and a half since Tenth Dems opened the Community Connection Center in Waukegan. We have an update on what’s been happening there, and what’s on ComCon’s to-do list.

Polarities Help Us Avoid Our Fears and Get What We Want
by Neesa Sweet
The author offers a new way of trying to make sense of our world — through polarities. So what are polarities? We thought you’d never ask…

May 2012 Newsletter: Supreme Court Health Law Cases and more is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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Special Edition of Tenth News

Read the full issue here

High School Students Invited to Submit Original, Unpublished Poems and Prose

Tenth Congressional District Democrats (Tenth Dems) Community Connection is sponsoring its second annual writing contest. Please read the description of this year’s theme, “Belongings,” which you will find in the writing contest application. Students who are currently enrolled in a high school in Gurnee, North Chicago, Waukegan or Zion are invited to enter the contest. There is no charge to enter. Entries must be postmarked no later than Friday, April 20, 2012. Click here to learn more about the writing contest, or to submit an entry.

Poetry and Prose – Tenth News Literary Supplement is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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The Tenth Congressional District Democrats (Tenth Dems) is looking for a Constituent Relations Specialist for full or part-time work. Key duties include making fundraising calls and emails, calling members to renew membership, and researching and responding to inquiries in a timely manner.

We need your communication skills, we need your drive and we need YOU to make a difference.

Candidates must have:

•  outstanding communication skills and attention to detail
• strong interpersonal skills with an ability to engage donors
• exemplary values, integrity and a high level of desire to make a difference
• a commitment to the beliefs which form the foundation of the Democratic Party, and a strong desire to see Democrats elected to public office.

If interested, send your resume and cover letter to Lauren Beth Gash, or you can call 847 266 VOTE (8683).

Tenth Dems is also still considering hiring a Fundraising Director. This position is responsible for all aspects of fundraising to help Tenth Dems in its efforts to elect Democrats to all levels of office in every part of the 10th Congressional District of Illinois. This is a full-time position, probably based out of an office in Highland Park, although that may be negotiable.

Responsibilities Include:

1. Raising money through direct contact with prospective donors. This is not a call-time manager position but a fundraising director position.
2. Working with others who can contact donors and giving them the necessary resources they need to be successful.
3. Helping to coordinate fundraising events.
4. Leading our efforts to recruit new members and renew existing memberships.
5. Developing new revenue sources for Tenth Dems, and managing any others we pursue.
6. Ideally, making absolutely certain that we comply with all political fundraising laws, and/or working with the person who manages reporting.
7. Ideally, overseeing all reporting requirements for federal and state political campaigns, and/or working with the person who manages reporting.
8. Supporting all Tenth Dems’ efforts to help elect Democrats.

Necessary/Preferred Skills and Experience Include:

1. Past experience in fundraising, ideally in political fundraising, or a similar transferable skill.
2. Working knowledge of the political campaign finance laws, or the aptitude to learn them.
3. Excellent computer skills. A high degree of comfort with computer databases and technology.
4. A commitment to the beliefs which form the foundation of the Democratic Party, and a strong desire to see Democrats elected to public office.

If interested, send your resume and cover letter to Lauren Beth Gash, or you can call 847 266 VOTE (8683).

Tenth Dems Is Looking for a Constituent Relations Specialist is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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Tenth Dems is in desperate need of 8 1/2 x 11 printer paper. Please call 847-266-VOTE (8683) if you can bring Tenth Dems one ream, five, or a box ASAP.

Thank you.

Tenth Dems

Tenth Dems is in desperate need of 8 1/2 x 11 printer paper is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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Tenth Dems Community Connection – Writing Contest – This year’s theme – Belongings – no charge to enter – open to High School Students – Gurnee, North Chicago, Waukegan, Zion – Deadline April 20, 2012 – Prizes in Poetry – $200, $100, 50 – Prizes in Prose – $200, $100, $50. Submit your application or for more information call – 847 – 266 – VOTE!

Community Connection – Writing Contest – This Year’s Theme – Belongings is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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In this issue of Tenth News:

• Schneider to Face Dold; Tenth Dems Pledge Unity at Party Celebrating All Primary Candidates
• The 10th District By the Numbers: Schneider Wins the Primary – Onward to November
• A Conscience Constituency
• Congress Watch: Bob Dold Supports Republican Assault on Women’s Rights
• The Common Wisdom
• Yes, We Did! Obama and the Safety Net

Schneider to Face Dold; Tenth Dems Pledge Unity at Party Celebrating All Primary Candidates
by Eleonora di Liscia
The smoke has cleared from the hotly contested 10th Congressional District’s Democratic primary race. The winner, Brad Schneider, and his three opponents all gathered at the Cubby Bear North in Lincolnshire March 22 as part of a unity celebration. We have a report, with photos.

The 10th District by the Numbers: Schneider Wins the Primary – Onward to November
by John Hmurovic
How did Brad Schneider achieve his margin of victory in the recent Democratic 10th Congressional District race? We have some answers in this informative look behind the numbers.

A Conscience Constituency
by Ron Levitsky
What remains of the American middle class is under relentless attack from right-wing politicians, and those falling below the poverty line continue to grow in number. What is taking place now in the U.S. is hardly what was envisioned back in the 1960s, when a handful of major books helped transform a generation of political thinking. The author takes a look at what might have been, and how events conspired to bring us to this moment in history.

Congress Watch: Bob Dold Supports Republican Assault on Women’s Rights
The candidates are set for the 10th Congressional District’s 2012 election contest. The incumbent, has attempted to portray himself as a moderate on social issues, but he has a record of votes cast in Congress. In this month’s Congress Watch, we examine that record as it pertains to women’s rights. Does that record support Rep. Dold’s claims?

The Common Wisdom
by Jack Altschuler
Where does this country really stand politically on some of our most pressing issues? Read the author’s conclusions as he slices through the baloney to get at the truth.

Yes, We Did! Obama and the Safety Net
by Eleonora di Liscia
We continue our series on President Obama’s accomplishments during his first term in office with a look at his efforts to strengthen the social safety net.

April 2012 Newsletter: Republican War on Women’s Rights and more is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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Ilya Sheyman (from left), Vivek Bavda, John Tree, and Brad Schneider show unity.

Join all four candidates who ran in the 10th Congressional District race—Vivek Bavda, Brad Schneider, Ilya Sheyman, and John Tree—at the free Democratic Unity 2012 Party on Thursday, March 22, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at The Cubby Bear North, 21661 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire. Joining us will be Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, 9th District.

Electing Democrats to all levels of government in the 10th Congressional District is the mission of the Tenth Congressional District Democrats (Tenth Dems for short). The Democratic Unity Party has become a biennial tradition for Tenth Dems. After every primary, Tenth Dems brings together participants from all the Democratic campaigns in the 10th to focus our sights on victory in November.

Uniting our efforts will be critical in the 2012 general election. The term “too extreme” fits many of the Republican opponents on the ballot “to a tea.”

Who: All Democrats
What: Democratic Unity 2012 Party … free!
Where: The Cubby Bear North, 21661 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire, IL 60069
When: Thursday, March 22, 2012, 5:30 -7:30 p.m.

Contact: RSVP to Tenth Dems online, for more information and/or to volunteer, call us at 847-266-VOTE (8683) or send an email. When you call or write, please give your contact information (name, address, phone number).

We’ve worked hard for the primary candidates of our choice. Let’s celebrate as Democrats together and move forward to victory in November!

 - 30 –

Join All Four—Sheyman, Bavda, Tree, and Schneider—at Unity Party Tonight is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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2012 March Newsletter Extra

In this Extra Edition of Tenth News:

• Democratic Candidates for Congress Engage in Lively Forum
• Special Pre-Primary Convention Coverage: Candidates Make Their Case to Democrats
• Pat Carey for Lake County Board (candidate profile)

Democratic Candidates for Congress Engage in Lively Forum
by Eleonora di Liscia
On February 25, Tenth Dems and WCPT radio co-sponsored a forum featuring the four Democratic candidates running for the Illinois 10th Congressional District nomination. We have all the details.

Special Preprimary Convention Coverage: Candidates Make Their Case to Democrats
by Elizabeth Bloom Albert
Tenth Dems held a District-wide convention on March 4 in Vernon Hills. A large gathering of Democrats heard from a number of candidates on the ballot in the upcoming March 20 primary, and our reporter was there to capture all the excitement.

Pat Carey for Lake County Board

March 2012 Newsletter Extra: Preprimary Convention Coverage is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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