Volunteers are needed to stuff literature for our open precincts and for PCs who need help. On Tuesday, Feb 17 at 1:00, we’ll hold our second literature stuffing and postcard writing party at Peggy’s house (please email peggynastiltdo@gmail.com for the address). If you identify any voters who’d like to volunteer their time, please let them know about the event.

Excerpted from a recent Indivisible Chicago newsletter.

Email Senators Durbin and Duckworth

The Senate will be negotiating the details of the DHS funding bill over the next two weeks. It is crucial that we keep the pressure on and be specific about what is in the funding bill by emailing both Durbin and Duckworth with our demands.

Below is the suggested email to send to Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth.

Suggested email text:

Thank you, Senator, for your no vote on the DHS funding bill as DHS must be reined in. Now we need your continued leadership as the details of the spending bill are worked out.

In support of the letter that you received from reputable organizations such as the ACLU, CASA and many others, we demand that ten meaningful measures be included in any DHS spending bill before providing your next vote. This is not an exhaustive list. These provisions should be written to apply regardless of the source of funds, including appropriated funds and funds provided through H.R.1, and designed to meaningfully stop harmful and abusive enforcement measures in our communities.

The 10 Demands for inclusion in DHS spending package are:

1. Halt ICE and/or Border Patrol spending until full Congressional investigation.

2. Stop immigration enforcement based on racial profiling (end Kavanaugh stops).

3. Ensure accountability for abuses by federal officers and end qualified immunity.

4. Stop mission creep No funds made available to DHS may be used to engage in civil immigration enforcement activities in the interior of the United States (defined as more than 50 miles from a land or sea border).

5. Stop enforcement at sensitive locations as defined in the Sensitive Locations Act, H.R. 1061/S. 455.

6. Stop warrantless arrests.

7. Stop family detention and halt any new contracts for private detention.

8. Repeal the Alien Enemies Act or withhold funds for its use.

9. End the expansion of harmful 287(g) agreements.

10. End Operation PARRIS which means no funds made available to be used for indiscriminate arrests of lawfully present refugees in Minneapolis and Maine or any other city.

This is just a heads-up; details are not yet available.

The U.S. Senate Democratic Primary Debate featuring Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi which was held Monday, January 26, at the University of Chicago’s International House, hosted by WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, is now available on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=xJGm7hORqnAor.

There are additional candidates in the Senate Democratic Primary. Here is a video from candidate Kevin Ryan.