Democratic Party - 49th Ward

Learn About the New Voting Machines

Our monthly meeting this month will cover the new voting equipment that will be used this Election Day, March 21.  The old punch card system is out and two new systems are coming into place.  Their will be at least one touch screen video terminal and four scan card ballot machines in each precinct.  If you don't know what that is or want to learn more our meeting is the place to be on Monday, February 20, 2006 at 6:30 pm in our new campaign office at 1774 N. Greenleaf.

The Chicago Board of Elections will be out to provide an overview and training for what will happen in the polling places this year.  There are plenty of new things that will happen so no matter if you have be in the poll a hundred times or never you need to know if you want to be part of the process.

Please join us.

Monday, February 20, 2006
Social: 6:30 pm   Meeting 7:00 pm
49th Ward Compaign  Office
1774 W. Greenleaf  (at Ravenswood)

The Supreme Court

One of the most important protections we have as citizens is the court system.  In the court system there is no court more important to the protection of rights than the United States Supreme Court.   The court has not had a vacancy in 11 years, and has often settled cases with a 5-4 vote.  Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was a swing vote on many important issues.  What issues?  What will happen now?  Where is the Court headed if  a conservative justice replaces her?  Obviously the future of the court is unclear.

That is why on Monday, July 18, 2005 at 6:30 PM our special guest this month will be Ed Yonka, Director of Communications for the ACLU of Illinois.  This is going to be a huge decision that will only be complicated if Justice Rehnquist, the Chief Justice, resigns as well.

Monthly Political Meeting

Campeche Restaurant
7124 N. Clark St. - 2nd Floor
6:30 Refreshments
7:15 Meeting

For more information contact us by e-mail or call (773) 973-4949.

Jim Houlihan

On Monday, April 18, 2005 we welcome as our guest Cook County Assessor Jim Houlihan.  As the County Assessor Jim plays a significant role in the property tax system.  Whether you are an owner or a renter how property taxes are assessed plays an important part in the cost of your housing.

Prior to becoming the Assessor,  Jim spent a lifetime committed to public service.  He was a well regarded and a highly recognized member of the state legislature, an assistasnt to Mayor Harold Washington and a tax reformer at the Fair Equity Tax Commission.

He will be up for re-election in 2006 should he seek to remain our Assessor.

February 2005 Political Meeting

This month our political meeting features

guest speaker Ralph Martire, the Executive Director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability.  He will discuss the campaign to reform Illinois' tax structure and change the way we fund public schools.

Alderman Joe Moore, now a voting member of the Democratic National Committee will report on his experiences as a new voting member and will share his experiences during the Winter meeting at which the Democratic National Committee electioned Howard Dean to be the Chairman of of our party.

The meeting will be:
Monday, February 21, 2005
Refreshments 6:30 pm
Guest Speaker: 7:15 pm
              at the
Campeche Restaurant
7124 N. Clark - 2nd Floor

Parking is available at
Romanian Kosher Sausage Co.
7200 N. Clark St. - N.W. corner

January Political Meeting: County Budget Battle - 2005 Edition

This year the battle over the Cook County government budget seems to have the potential to be even more explosive than last years fight.  Cook County is the third largest county in the United States and is the second largest governmental body in the State of Illinois.  With a budget of $889 million dollars one could wonder where it all goes and why a tax increase is needed. 

President Stroger has presented his "President's Recommendations", the vision and blueprint for 2005 County government spending.  Our Commissioners, Larry Suffredin north of Pratt and Mike Quigley, south of Pratt, have been invited to join us to discuss this vitally important topic on Monday, January 24, 2005.

Please join us at 6:30 pm for refreshment and networking and stay for our featured guests at 7:30 pm.

Campache Restaurant
7124 N. Clark
Monday, January 24, 2005
Banquet Room

Have questions?   email for answers.

Please also remember that if you are going to the Bulls game with us your $21 per ticket, (half price) is due at the end of this meeting.  Need more info, click here.

December Political Meeting

The drun og was run run run rurun n run run The December meeting each year is our Holiday Cheer Party and this year is no exception!  The fun begins at 5:30 pm on Monday, December 20, 2004.  The party is being held at the Cafe Suron, an excellent local resturant at 1146 W. Pratt.  Refreshment, Food and Fun will last until 7:30 pm.  Parking is available in the back lot only of Leona's, at 6935 N. Sheridan Rd.  Please enter off the alley.

November Political Meeting

Wondering why it is the third Monday of the month and you haven't heard from us yet?  Your Alderman and your Democratic Ward Committeeman are both out of town.  Nevertheless, we have put together an excellent election review for Monday, November 22 featuring Bob Creamer, a national campaign expert who ran campaigns all across the country and Rupa Shenoy a reporter from the neighborhood who covers elections for the Chicago Reporter.

This promises to be any informative and interesting presentation.  We will of course have a political update and a community update to keep you in touch with what is happening in the 49th Ward.

November Political Meeting
Monday, November 22, 2004
Campeche Restaurant
7124 N. Clark St.
6:30 PM Networking
7:15  PM Meeting Begins

October Political Meeting

This month the Democratic Party of the 49th Ward has Cook County State’s Attorney Dick Devine as our special guest speaker. Devine was elected in a huge upset over former Republican State’s Attorney Jack O’Malley in 1996, a defeat that triggered the end of straight party voting.

For two terms Devine has run the office in a professional way. He has concentrated on expanding diversion programs for minor drug offenders and has created a domestic violence unit, bringing in Pam Paziotopoulos, director of the APRI Violence Against Women Program, to run it. Another priority was to create an effective juvenile justice bureau. To run it, he called upon Cathy Ryan, an outstanding professional in the field.

We will also have a community update, a political update, and award the prizes to the volunteer with the highest total registrations for the period covering March to October.

The event is being held:
Monday, October 18, 2004
Campeche Restaurant
7124 N. Clark St.
2nd Floor Banquet Room
Refreshments: 6:30 pm
Meeting: 7:15 pm

September Political Meeting

Jan Schakowsky, our incredibly talented and hard working Congresswoman will be our guest this month at our Political Meeting. Congresswoman Schakowsky will provide a review of what is happening in Washington D.C., share tales from her many campaign stops across the nation, and spread a little bit of gossip from the political water fountain. She is always enlightening, informative and entertaining. She is someone you should not miss.

Please join us:
Monday, September 20, 2004
Campeche Restaurant, 2nd Floor
7124 N. Clark St.
6:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

If you have any questions or need additional information please do not hesitate to contact us at this email address or call us at (773) 761-4949.

No Political Meeting in August

This August the Democratic Party of the 49th Ward is playing hooky and going to the ballgame. We haven't called in sick yet so don't tell the Committeeman.

We will resume our regular schedule, the third Monday of the month, on Monday, September 20, 2004. We hope that by then the state will have a budget and our legislators can actually join us this time.