UPDATED STATEMENT: PROGRESSIVE NORTHSIDE GROUPS DEMAND TRANSPARENCY ON SENATE APPOINTMENT PROCESS

January 30, 2021

UPDATED STATEMENT:

PROGRESSIVE NORTHSIDE GROUPS DEMAND TRANSPARENCY ON SENATE APPOINTMENT PROCESS

We, a coalition of progressive groups representing different communities in the 7th Illinois State Senate District, demand real transparency and accountability from our Democratic committeepersons in the replacement process for Senator Heather Steans. We demand publicly visible negotiation and votes for this appointment. While we are fortunate to have effective and progressive leaders who deliver for their constituents, our committee members have not been entirely forthcoming when we have asked for clarity in our ongoing conversations. Therefore, we are now turning to the press to bring attention to this backroom, undemocratic process.

Last Sunday (Jan 24, 2021), Harry Osterman, Alderman and Committeeperson for the 48th ward told the Chicago Sun-Times that he and the other committee members are, “trying to do this in an open, fair, transparent process… I think that’s really important for us, I think our constituents expect that, and that’s what we’re committed to.” 

Contrary to this public statement, committee negotiations are happening in secret behind closed doors. To create a façade of transparency and accountability, they are publicly interviewing candidates for the appointment to replace Sen. Steans. However, the real deliberation—and their votes—will be kept from public scrutiny, just as they have been for the past 43 years.  The appointment process blocks out grassroots organizers, especially Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color, in favor of known political players, which in Illinois and in this district are predominately white. We will not sit idly by while political insiders breach the public trust by trading offices and appointments among themselves. The only way to safeguard against such Machine politics is a public vote covered in the press and removed entirely from the corrupting influence of secretive party machinery.

If our committee members believe their votes are in the best interest of their constituents, prove it. Show them to us.

Do our committee members support an open public vote for the replacement? Their constituents would like to know.

Signed,

40th Ward United

48th Ward Neighbors for Justice

Network 49

50th Ward Action Network 

Anti-Racist Andersonville

Sunrise Movement Chicago

Indivisible Illinois 9th District Andersonville-Edgewater

Indivisible ILVOTE

Indivisible Illinois

Committee Member Contact information

Ward 33: Iris Martinez

cookcountydems.com/ward_commttee_people/33rd-ward/

773-539-3103

Email:[email protected]

Twitter: @ILSenMartinez

Ward 39: Ram Villivalam
facebook.com/39thWardDems/

773-789-7645
Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @RamForSenate

Ward 40: Maggie O’Keefe

40thwarddems.org

847-834-4240
Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @MaggieJOK

Ward 46: Sean Tenner
46thwarddemocrats.org

312-576-8822
Email:  [email protected]

Ward 47: Paul Rosenfeld

47thward.com 

217-782-4141
Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @Fightin47th 

Ward 48: Harry Osterman

48thward.org

773-784-5277
Email: [email protected] 

Twitter: @48Ward

Ward 49: Kelly Cassidy

49thward.nationbuilder.com

(773) 973-4949
Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @RepKellyCassidy

Ward 50: Debra Silverstein

50thwardchicago.com

773-761-0050
Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @50thWardChicago

Evanston: Eamon Kelly

evanstondems.com

847-579-9129
Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @EvanstonDems

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Sunrise Movement Chicago is a movement of young people working to stop climate change and create millions of good jobs in the process.

40th Ward United is an independent political organization in the 40th Ward, committed to pushing progressive politics and policies, and caring for neighbors through mutual aid

48th Ward Neighbors for Justice is an independent political organization (IPO) of neighbors in Andersonville, Edgewater and Uptown dedicated to supporting leftist causes and the multiracial working class of Chicago.

Network 49 is a progressive, community-led, political organization committed to organizing and advocating for policies and elected leadership that advance a high quality of community life, benefiting all residents in the 49th Ward of the City of Chicago.

50th Ward Action Network is a collective of politically engaged neighbors from West Ridge/West Rogers Park/50th Ward working together on issues that impact our community.

Anti-Racist Andersonville is a coalition of residents, businesses, and anyone engage with the Andersonville community. We take strategic action against the racism BIPOC (Black, indigenous, people of color) members of the community face.

Indivisible IL9 Andersonville-Edgewater is a diverse group of concerned residents and allies of the Illinois 9th Congressional District, working strategically to ensure justice for all. Indivisible IL9 is a part of a national network that aligns with the movement following the Indivisible Guide. We believe that a successful democracy depends on an informed and engaged constituency. We value Diversity; Equity and Inclusion; Respect and Non-violence.

Indivisible Illinois is part of the locally-led, people-powered Indivisible Project network, a grassroots American movement founded in 2016, with thousands of chapters in urban, suburban and rural areas, with at least two groups in every congressional district. Indivisible Illinois engages and empowers people in the Land of Lincoln, the Home of Obama, the Heart of the Midwest, to promote a progressive agenda, elect progressive leaders and realize progressive government.

Indivisible ILVOTE is certified in the City of Chicago and Cook County as a bona fide State Civic Organization for voter registration purposes. In addition, ILVOTE works to increase voter awareness and promote voter turnout for every election at the federal, state and local levels. We achieve our goals by working in coalition with other grassroots partners to host forums, deputy voter registrar trainings and voter registration drives that are open to all. We encourage individuals to take initiative and do voter registration and awareness whenever possible in their daily lives. We believe that an engaged and informed electorate leads to a successful democracy.

https://www.indivisibleillinois.org/transparent-senate-appointment/