<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><br class=""><div><br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class="">Begin forwarded message:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;" class=""><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);" class=""><b class="">From: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;" class="">Illinois Green Party <<a href="mailto:info@ilgp.org" class="">info@ilgp.org</a>><br class=""></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;" class=""><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);" class=""><b class="">Subject: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;" class=""><b class="">Important Notices About the Primary and Upcoming State Meeting</b><br class=""></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;" class=""><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);" class=""><b class="">Date: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;" class="">February 4, 2016 at 4:12:41 PM CST<br class=""></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;" class=""><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);" class=""><b class="">To: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;" class="">"C. G. Estabrook" <<a href="mailto:cge@shout.net" class="">cge@shout.net</a>><br class=""></span></div><br class=""><div class=""><table border="0" width="100%" height="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" bgcolor="#ffffff" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" style="border-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><table width="600" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="container" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-top: 30px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td class="body-content" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><img title="Illinois_Green_Party_Banner_NL.png" src="http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ilgp/mailings/45/attachments/original/Illinois_Green_Party_Banner_NL.png?1454618147" alt="Illinois_Green_Party_Banner_NL.png" width="520" height="80" style="max-width: 100%;" class=""><br class=""><br class=""><h2 class="">Important Notice About the Upcoming Primary Election – And Bernie Sanders</h2>The state-run Illinois Primary Election is coming up on March 15th – with early voting starting within days.<br class=""><br class="">We recognize that some members and friends of the Green Party like democratic socialist candidate Bernie Sanders, who is seeking the nomination of the Democratic Party for president. It is not our purpose here to weigh in on the pros and cons of casting a primary ballot for Bernie – except to remind you that the corporate-funded Democratic Party, as an institution, is a part of the problem, not part of the solution, and that building a real party of the people, the Green Party,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a title="McClarty Piece" href="http://www.ilgp.org/r?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.counterpunch.org%2F2016%2F02%2F04%2Fpolitical-revolution-and-the-third-party-imperative&e=4e0676c5455e4c8ee0a4a8fd47cdb80b&utm_source=ilgp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2_4_16_nl&n=1" target="_blank" class="">remains imperative</a>. Nonetheless, we acknowledge that reasoned arguments have been made on both sides of the “Bernie” question.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br class=""><br class="">However:<br class=""><h3 class="">If you are thinking about picking up a Democratic or Republican Party ballot in the primary election, there are a few things that you need to know first:</h3> 1) You cannot vote in the Democratic or Republican Party primary and then run as a Green Party candidate in the 2016 general election.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong class="">Therefore, if you are even thinking about running for office as a Green, you should not vote in another party’s primary, as that act will disqualify you from running as a Green</strong>. It will not disqualify you forever, but it will disqualify you for 2016. However, please note that it will<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong class="">not</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>disqualify you from signing a petition for Green Party candidates in the November general election, circulating petitions for Green Party candidates in the general election, or voting for Green Party candidates in the general election.<br class=""><br class=""> 2)<strong class=""><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If you reside in the 5th Congressional District (currently represented by Mike Quigley) or the 12th Congressional District (currently represented by Mike Bost) there is a Green Party primary ballot</strong>, and there are good reasons to pick one up and vote Green instead of picking up the Democratic Party ballot. For one thing, both of these primaries are contested, so you will have an opportunity to help select the candidate who appears on the ballot in November (more on that in a future newsletter). Second, in some wards or precincts, we are running candidates for precinct committeeman, so you can help ensure that they get seated as well.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br class=""><br class=""> 3) Please remember:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong class="">The Green Party will very likely have an opportunity to get our own, even more pro-democracy, pro-environment, pro-economic-opportunity and pro-peace presidential candidate on the ballot for November</strong>– as well as other candidates, from county level on up. (More on the presidential selection process below.) If you are pro-Bernie, you can still help these efforts. Then, if Bernie does not win the nomination, you will still have some good people to vote for in November. Please tell you friends in the Sanders campaign –<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong class="">if Bernie doesn’t win, you do not have to settle for pro-business, pro-war Hillary</strong>! Come on over to the Green Party and continue the struggle for real social progress!<br class=""><h2 class="">Regional Green Party Presidential Selection Caucuses Coming Soon to a Town Near You!</h2>There will be a series of Green Party caucuses held across the state this month. These caucuses will be opportunities for people to learn more about our presidential candidates and to discuss the choices with other Greens. We plan to have computers available at these caucus sites, so members can vote right there for their choice of candidate. <br class=""><br class="">If you are a member of the Illinois Green Party, you should have already received a notice about the caucuses, and the presidential process being used, in an e-mail bulletin sent on January 25th. If you did not receive that notice, this means that we do not have you listed as a member. However, that can easily be remedied! If you agree with our 10 Key Values and wish to join the party, you can join online<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a title="Join ILGP" href="http://www.ilgp.org/join?e=4e0676c5455e4c8ee0a4a8fd47cdb80b&utm_source=ilgp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2_4_16_nl&n=2" target="_blank" class="">here</a>, join and also vote your presidential preference by going<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a title="Presidential Pref Vote" href="http://www.ilgp.org/2016_pres_pref_ballot?e=4e0676c5455e4c8ee0a4a8fd47cdb80b&utm_source=ilgp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2_4_16_nl&n=3" target="_blank" class="">here</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>– or you can come to the caucus nearest you and join at that time.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br class=""><br class="">Currently, the following caucuses are scheduled:<br class=""><br class="">Saturday, February 6<br class="">COOK COUNTY – Roosevelt Branch, Chicago Public Library, 1 pm – 4 pm<br class=""><br class="">Sunday, February 7<br class="">BELVIDERE – David Black residence, 107 W. 4th Street, 4 pm<br class=""><br class="">Monday, February 8<br class="">WHEATON – Green Party office, 213 S. Wheaton Ave., 7 pm - 8:30 pm<br class=""><br class="">Saturday, February 13<br class="">OAK PARK – Oak Park Library, 834 Lake St., 1 pm - 4 pm<br class="">PEORIA HEIGHTS – Peoria Pizza Works, 3921 N. Prospect Ave., 2 pm - 4 pm<br class=""><br class="">Sunday, February 14<br class="">NASHVILLE – Girolamo's Pizza, 144 N East Court St.,12 pm – 2 pm<br class=""><h2 class="">Illinois Green Party 2016 State Convention and Membership Meeting: Conference Chicago at University Center, Chicago</h2><h2 class="">March 5, 2016</h2>The Illinois Green Party 2016 State Convention will take place on Saturday, March 5, at Conference Chicago at University Center, 525 South State Street, in the South Loop. This year's convention will include the selection of delegates to the Green Party National Convention (Houston, August 6), panels, presentations, and planning for campaign 2016 and our presidential petition drive which begins on March 29. A before-dinner social will be followed by a fundraising dinner at the meeting venue.<br class=""><br class=""><span style="text-decoration: underline;" class="">Registration, Food & Fundraiser</span><br class=""><br class="">There is no cost for convention registration. Members can join or renew in advance of the meeting by visiting the ILGP site at<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a title="Join
ILGP" href="http://www.ilgp.org/join?e=4e0676c5455e4c8ee0a4a8fd47cdb80b&utm_source=ilgp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2_4_16_nl&n=4" target="_blank" class="">www.ilgp.org/join</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>or can join or renew at the convention.<br class=""><br class=""><span style="text-decoration: underline;" class="">Lunch, Noon to 1 pm</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br class=""><br class="">Attendees will have the option to dine in the Conference Chicago Dining Center for lunch service or go out on State Street to one of the many fast food establishments.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://conferencechicagouc.com/location/" class="">http://conferencechicagouc.com/location/</a>. The Dining Center offers a rich variety of pastas, sandwiches, pizzas, and full dinners, with meat, vegetarian, vegan, and special menu/allergy sensitive options for one price (~$11.00).<br class=""><br class=""><span style="text-decoration: underline;" class="">Before-Dinner Social, 5 to 6:30 pm</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br class=""><br class="">Buddy Guy’s Legends, 700 S. Wabash, is on the south side of the parking lot next to the University Center. (See<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://buddyguy.com/" class="">buddyguy.com</a>.) It has a large open bar area, acoustic music, and no cover charge before 8 p.m. (We must vacate the meeting rooms from 5 to 6:30 to allow for dinner set-up, and there will be no bar service at dinner.)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br class=""><br class=""><span style="text-decoration: underline;" class="">Saturday Night Fundraiser Dinner, 6:30 -9 pm</span><br class=""><br class="">Conference Chicago at University Center<br class="">Price: $40.00/$20 low income.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br class="">Buffet Menu: Grilled lemon-oregano chicken, Lemon penne pasta & vegetables (vegan),<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br class=""> Greek salad with lemon dill vinaigrette (vegan, feta on side)<br class=""> Bruschetta w basil & tomato (vegan), Yellow gazpacho (vegan)<br class=""> Pita triangles (vegan), House-made baklava<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br class=""><br class=""> <span style="text-decoration: underline;" class="">If you plan on attending the Dinner, please RSVP to<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a title="Convention e-mail" href="mailto:ilgp.2016.convention@gmail.com" target="_blank" class="">ilgp.2016.convention@gmail.com</a>, so we can keep an accurate count</span>. We will have more on the dinner program in a future newsletter.<br class=""><br class=""><span style="text-decoration: underline;" class="">Contact Information</span><br class="">For questions about the meeting, contact us at<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a title="ILGP Convention e-mail" href="mailto:ilgp.2016.convention@gmail.com" target="_blank" class="">ilgp.2016.convention@gmail.com</a>.<br class=""><br class=""><span style="text-decoration: underline;" class="">Travel</span><br class=""><br class="">Public Transit:<br class="">Amtrak and many Metra trains run to Chicago Union Station, 225 South Canal Street, which is about 12 city blocks from the University Center. From Union Station, proceed East on Adams or Jackson Street, then turn right on State Street and continue south to 525 South State. All CTA trains have stops in the Loop within a short distance off University Center -- exit at Jackson (Red and Blue lines), Adams and Wabash (Green line) or Harold Washington Library (all others).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br class=""><br class="">By Car:<br class="">From the Southwest (I-55 Stevenson Expressway): Proceed east to the end of I-55 to North Lake Shore Drive. Continue north (towards downtown) on Lake Shore Drive to Balbo Street. Turn left on Balbo to State Street; turn right on State Street. Continue one block. Conference Chicago will be on your right between Harrison Street and Congress Parkway.<br class=""><br class="">From the South (I-57 to I-94 Dan Ryan Expressway) and From the North (I-90/94 Kennedy/Edens Expressway): Exit at Congress Parkway. Drive east towards downtown to State Street. Turn right on State Street. Conference Chicago will be on your left between Congress Parkway and Harrison Street.<br class=""><br class="">From the West (I-290 Eisenhower Expressway): I-290 turns into Congress Parkway as it nears downtown. Continue driving east to<br class="">State Street. Turn right on State Street. Conference Chicago will be on your left between Congress Parkway and Harrison Street.<br class=""><br class="">Parking:<br class="">Conference Chicago does not have its own parking. However, there are a number of parking garages and lots all around the building. These parking locations are shown in the Chicago Loop map below.<br class=""><br class=""><br class=""><img title="University_Center_Parking.jpg" src="http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ilgp/mailings/45/attachments/original/University_Center_Parking.jpg?1454621915" alt="University_Center_Parking.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" class=""><br class=""><br class="">Carpools from other parts of the state may be available – if you are interested in carpooling, contact your nearest ILGP chapter or<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a title="ILGP Convention e-mail" href="mailto:ilgp.2016.convention@gmail.com" target="_blank" class="">ilgp.2016.convention@gmail.com</a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br class=""><br class=""><span style="text-decoration: underline;" class="">Lodging</span><br class=""><br class="">Lodging is available at reasonable rates nearby at the International Youth Hostel, 24 East Congress Parkway, at the corner of Congress Parkway and Wabash Avenue, 1 block east of State Street, next to the University Center.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a title="Chicago Youth Hostel" href="http://www.ilgp.org/r?u=http%3A%2F%2Fhichicago.org%2F&e=4e0676c5455e4c8ee0a4a8fd47cdb80b&utm_source=ilgp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2_4_16_nl&n=5" target="_blank" class=""><font color="red" class=""><b class="">MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.ilgp.org" claiming to be</b></font>http://hichicago.org/</a>. There are numerous other hotels nearby as well -- just search for hotels in the Loop.<br class=""><br class=""><span style="text-decoration: underline;" class="">Tentative Schedule/Proposed Agenda</span><br class=""><br class="">More information about the schedule/proposed agenda will be available on<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://ilgp.org/" class="">ilgp.org</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>in coming weeks. All times are subject to change.<br class=""><br class="">9:00 – 9:30 am Registration<br class=""><br class="">9:30 – 10:00 am Welcome, Introductions, Agenda Approval<br class=""><br class="">10:00 – 10:30 am Internal Elections: ILGP Officers & GPUS Delegation<br class=""><br class="">10:30 – 11:15 am 2016 Elections: Endorsement of Candidates for President, VP, Senator, & Comptroller<br class=""><br class="">11:15 – 12:00 pm Social Justice Panel<br class=""><br class="">12:00 – 12:45 pm Reports from Chapters<br class=""><br class="">12:45 – 1:45 pm Lunch<br class=""><br class="">1:45 – 2:30 pm Ecological Wisdom Panel<br class=""><br class="">2:30 – 3:15 pm Presidential & Congressional Candidates<br class=""><br class="">3:15 – 4:00 pm Presidential Delegate Overview & Selection<br class=""><br class="">4:00 – 5:00 pm 2016 Elections: Petitioning<br class=""><br class="">5:00 - 6:30 pm Before-dinner social hour at Legends<br class=""><br class="">6:30 – 9:00 pm Fundraising Dinner at Conference Chicago at University Center<br class=""><h2 class="">Building Bridges for Environmental Justice</h2> Illinois Greens have a new opportunity to work with civil rights activists of the Illinois NAACP with a new NAACP initiative called environmental justice, a phrase that links environmental protection with civil rights, and recognizes that people of color often suffer the worst consequences of environmental degradation.<br class=""><br class=""> Nearly 300 delegates from the 32 NAACP Branches in Illinois, at their October 2015 annual convention, heard their national leadership on stage promote Environmental Justice. Delegates then discussed among themselves in several workshops the importance of a shared vision linking environment and civil rights. Peoria Area Greens placed a half page ad in the Conference booklet and the State NAACP announced the creation of a State Chairwoman for environmental justice.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br class=""><br class=""> Each Illinois NAACP Branch was encouraged to put time and effort into Environmental Justice. Illinois Greens who are willing to work across the cultural boundaries of their community now have another opportunity. For more information on how to connect with your local NAACP branch, please contact Dave Pittman at<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:dvdpttmn@aol.com" class="">dvdpttmn@aol.com</a>.<br class=""><br class="">Illinois Green Party<br class=""><a href="http://www.ilgp.org/?e=4e0676c5455e4c8ee0a4a8fd47cdb80b&utm_source=ilgp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2_4_16_nl&n=6" class="">http://www.ilgp.org/</a></td></tr><tr class=""><td style="border-collapse: collapse;" class="">-=-=-<p style="margin-bottom: 1em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;" class="">Illinois Green Party · 213 S Wheaton Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187, United States<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br class="">You can also keep up with Illinois Green Party on<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.ilgp.org/r?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FIL_Greens&e=4e0676c5455e4c8ee0a4a8fd47cdb80b&utm_source=ilgp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2_4_16_nl&n=8" style="color: rgb(20, 136, 185);" class="">Twitter</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>or<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.ilgp.org/r?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FIllinoisGreenParty&e=4e0676c5455e4c8ee0a4a8fd47cdb80b&utm_source=ilgp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2_4_16_nl&n=9" style="color: rgb(20, 136, 185);" class="">Facebook</a>.</p>-=-=-</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;" class="">Created with<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.ilgp.org/r?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnationbuilder.com&e=4e0676c5455e4c8ee0a4a8fd47cdb80b&utm_source=ilgp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2_4_16_nl&n=10" style="color: rgb(20, 136, 185);" class="">NationBuilder</a>, the essential toolkit for leaders.</p></td></tr></tbody></table><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/mailscanner/images/1x1spacer.gif" width="1" height="1" alt="Web Bug from http://www.ilgp.org/r/o?e=4e0676c5455e4c8ee0a4a8fd47cdb80b&utm_source=ilgp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2_4_16_nl" style="max-width: 100%; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline !important; float: none;" class=""></span></div></blockquote></div><br class=""></body></html>