Time: Box opens 6:30 pm. Game starts 7:10 pm

Location: U.S. Cellular Field, 333 35th St., Chicago

Contact: RSVP by email or call 708-307-9351.

Sen. Dan Kotowski invites you to join him for the game between the Toronto Blue Jane and the Chicago White Sox. Tickets $1000, sponsorships available.

Join State Senator Dan Kotowski for a White Sox Game is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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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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Fifteen months ago, Wisconsin Republican Governor Scott Walker launched his attack against public unions, voting rights, public schools, women, farmers and more. As a result, Wisconsin citizens mobilized a recall. On June 5, 2012, Walker will face Democrat Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett at the polls.

This election could not be more critical. Besides helping undo much of the pain inflicted on Wisconsin citizens by Walker’s unpopular reforms, a win on June 5th will put Republicans on notice that their wholesale trampling of people’s rights will not be tolerated.

There are many ways you can help.

CANVASS: Although Wisconsin voters obtained nearly twice the signatures required to recall the election, polls are alarmingly close, some even favoring Walker. Voter turnout is essential. To volunteer, contact the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

DONATE: On May 2nd, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Walker has raised $25.3 million for his campaign, two-thirds from out of state and more than 12 times the four Democratic primary challengers combined. You can help by donating through Act Blue.

POLL WATCH: Gov. Walker and the Republican-controlled legislature passed a law requiring residents to produce identification as a condition of voting. Thankfully, Dane County Circuit Court Judge Richard G. Niess issued a permanent injunction on the law, pending appeal. Poll watchers are needed to insure that the voting process is respected so that every eligible resident can vote. To volunteer, contact Tyler Hagenbuch at THagenbuch@barackobama.com.

POST SIGNS: Election signs, bumper stickers, T-shirts and other products are available for sale here. Even if you don’t live in Wisconsin, you may have friends or family who do. Buy them a sign.

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS: United Wisconsin and We Are Wisconsin are also accepting donations and volunteers for canvassing and phone bank efforts. We Are Wisconsin (www.wearewisconsin.org) is a coalition that works to educate voters, elect progressive candidates and empower state residents to act on policy issues. United Wisconsin (http://www.unitedwisconsin.com) is leading the grassroots effort to recall Walker and had spearheaded much of the petition drive.

How To Take Back Wisconsin: Day Of Decision, June 5th is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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Time: Reception 5:00 pm, Dinner 6:00 pm

Location: The Hilton Chicago Grand Ballroom, 720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago

Contact: RSVP to Monique at 312-341-8530 or send an email. Tickets are $110 or $125 at the door.

The members of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois cordially invite you to attend the 98th Annual Installation Dinner celebrating the installation of Karina Zabicki DeHayes as President and the incoming officers and board of directors. Keynote Speaker is Colonel Jill Morgenthaler (Ret.), and honorees are Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride, Olivia Clarke and Diana J. Joseph.

Women’s Bar Association of Illinois Annual Installation Dinner in Chicago is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm (Come early for dinner.)

Location: Bake’s Sports Theme Restaurant, 33251 North U.S. Highway 45, Wildwood (Just north of Center St./Deerpath Ave. and south of Brae Loch Country Club.)

Contact: For additional information, call 847-223-0795, consult the website, or drop a line to Warren Township Democrats, P.O. Box 8061, Gurnee, IL 60031.

The agenda includes the introduction of newest Precinct Committeemen, volunteer appeal for June 2 road clean-up, and “Let’s Talk Politics II – Warren” open discussion. Everyone is welcome to attend and encouraged to bring a friend if possible.

Warren Township May General Meeting in Wildwood is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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Imagine you are the new fire chief in town. You come in with promises to reverse the prior chief’s dreadful record of charred ruins. You train your staff and order state of the art equipment. Then you get the alarm that a house is on fire.

You dispatch your squad of rescue vehicles, but everywhere they turn, some road hog is blocking their way. The few vehicles that make it through discover that the city council has turned off their water supply. Still, you manage to pull out the family pets and a few other valuables.
And this is a little like Obama and the reversal of the Bush Administration’s policies on torture, detention and Guantanamo. Obama has come under fire for breaking his promise to close Gitmo and for recently signing off on indefinite detention. But the reality is much more complex. Yet, progress has been made on a variety of civil liberty fronts.

GITMO: Obama has made several attempts to close Gitmo. The oath of office was barely uttered when he issued an executive order to close the base. And then the fear set in. Where were the detainees going to go? Would we be safe? Not in my backyard!

Obama planned to bring detainees to the U.S. or at least bring them to trial in federal court (as opposed to military tribunals favored by Republicans), but these moves were stymied. Some critics blamed him for not pushing hard enough while being distracted with health care reform. Eventually, Congress blocked money to close the base, transfer detainees to the U.S or any other country or even allow prosecution in federal courts.

But when Obama can’t get what he wants, he does what he can. A second executive order in March, 2011 outlined at least some due process protections for indefinite detainees. The detention must meet the standard of being “necessary to protect against a significant threat to the security of the United States” and has to be periodically reviewed in a hearing. The detainee is entitled to present evidence and to have an advocate provided by the government. Under Obama, the number of detainees at Gitmo has shrunk. Nor has he confined new detainees or added new detention centers.
By contrast, Presidential hopefuls Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney say they would expand Gitmo (Mitt thinks it should actually be doubled), and Rick Santorum thinks Gitmo is essential.

INDEFINITE DETENTION: In December, 2011, the President came under fire for signing a bill which authorized indefinite detention. One must remember, however, that these decisions do not take place in a vacuum. Given a choice between authorizing indefinite detention or not, Obama would undoubtedly end the practice. However, that was not the choice before him when he signed the bill. The indefinite detention provision was part of a 500-page National Defense Authorization Act, a defense appropriations bill. To veto the bill would have caused military families to go without a paycheck as well as creating other hardships for them and national security. So the President signed.

The fact that indefinite detention was even attached to defense money underscores the need to unseat Congressional Republicans such as Robert Dold.

But again, Obama did what he could. His December 31, 2011 signing statement outlines how he intends to interpret the law. Obama set out how the bill oversteps executive branch authority and undermines national security. He affirmed that he will not authorize indefinite military detention without trial. Critics say the signing statement does not go far enough, but a President Romney would not only have signed the bill but expanded indefinite detention.

THE ACLU 2012 CANDIDATE REPORT CARD: While the American Civil Liberties Union is somewhat tepid on Obama’s performance, its 2012 candidate report card gave him a relatively high score. The report card evaluated candidates on humane immigration policy, closing Guantanamo Bay, indefinite detention, Gays and Lesbian marriage and military policies, ending torture, ending surveillance, and reproductive choice. Each of 7 categories had a four “torch’ value. While Obama only scored 13 out of 28, remember that even university exams are graded on a curve. Gingrich earned a whopping two torches total, while Romney and Santorum earned 0s in every category. True, Ron Paul outscored Obama. But it may be hard to enjoy those extra liberties while suffocating in smog after President Paul abolishes the EPA.

Obama received at least 3 torches each for his policy on gays in the military, gay marriage, reproductive choice and ending torture. For torture, Obama rescinded Bush’s legal justifications for torture and abolished CIA secret prisons. There are no reports of extraordinary rendition (sending detainees to other countries to be tortured) or torture on his watch.

Most refreshingly, the administration actually declares that waterboarding is torture. While Bush did discontinued its use, former Vice President Cheney still adamantly defends it. And what about Newt, Mitt and Rick? Well, they all support “enhanced interrogation techniques.”

Yes We Did!: The Truth About Gitmo, Detention and Civil Liberty is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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testing is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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Time: 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Location: Holiday Inn Gurnee Convention Center, 6161 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee

Contact: Register online. For more information, contact Shaunese Teamer at 847-249-3800 or send an email.

The Lake County Chamber of Commerce invites you to their 97th Annual Awards and Installation Dinner as they honor business organizations and leaders and announce new Board of Directors and present student scholarships. Keynote Speaker is Chris Krug, Publisher, Pioneer Press and Vice President, Sun Times Media. The evening includes entertainment, silent auction and dinner.

Lake County Chamber of Commerce Awards and Installation Dinner in Gurnee is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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Time: 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Location: The Winnetka Community House, 620 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka

Contact: To RSVP or for more information, contact the New Trier Democratic Organization office at 847-446-8030.

The New Trier Dems (NTD) will hold a Community Forum on “The Impact of Foreclosed Vacant Property in Our Communities” with Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer. The problems caused by unmaintained buildings, who should be responsible for maintaining them, and the Cook County Board’s plans for dealing with this situation will be discussed. Admission is free to all NTD members. Admission is $20 for all other Forum attendees.

New Trier Dems Host Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer in Winnetka is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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Time: 9:00 – 11:00 am

Location: Gorton Community Center Auditorium, 400 E. Illinois Rd., Lake Forest

Contact: Suggested donation at the door is $20 (tax deductible).

You are invited to hear Karen Curtiss, author and founder of CampaignZERO, Families for Patient Safety, who will discuss the checklists to follow to avoid the most common hospital-acquired infections and errors. The checklists are available to download.

Workshop in Lake Forest: How to Help Your Loved Ones When They Are Hospitalized is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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