Dick Simpson at Edgewater DFA

>me- one of my political heroes. i will try to make this.>

Subject: Dick Simpson is Guest Speaker at Thurs, Jan. 5 Edgewater DFA Meeting

Author, columnist, political science professor, former Alderman, and former congressional candidate DICK SIMPSON will be the Guest Speaker at the next meeting of the Egdewater/Rogers Park DFA (Democracy for America) group, Thursday, January 5, 2006.

You may recognize Dick Simpson's name from his recent editorials in the Sun Times about the Cook County Board President race and the 6th District Congressional race. However, Mr. Simpson has published more than 80 professional journal articles, magazine articles, book chapters, and book reviews, in addition to seven films and video documentaries. In his most recent book, "Rogues, Rebels and Rubber Stamps" (2001), Simpson chronicles the often turbulent story of the internal wars in the Chicago City Council from 1863 to the present. He is also author or co-author of 14 books on political action, ethics, and politics, including "Winning Elections: A Handbook of Modern Participatory Politics" (1996).

Simpson surprised political observers when he won election as Chicago's 44th Ward Alderman in his first campaign for political office in 1971, despite a well-financed opponent with an army of precinct captains. As Alderman, Simpson consistently voted for and introduced reform. Simpson served the 44th Ward for two terms before voluntarily retiring in 1979. Simpson served on transition teams that advised Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne in 1979, Mayor Harold Washington in 1983, and Cook County Clerk David Orr and State's Attorney Jack O'Malley in 1990. He helped shape their positions on ethics, fair hiring practices, citizen participation, and efficient, local government. In 1992 and 1994, Dick Simpson ran for Congress in Illinois' 5th Congressional District opposing Congressman Dan Rostenkowski on a platform of congressional reform, women's rights, universal health care, economic recovery, and senior citizen's issues. He began his academic career at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1967, where he has taught for 30 years.

http://www.uh.edu/cpp/lanierconference_simpson.htm]

At our January 5th meeting he will be speaking on the subject, "How the Chicago City Council *Really* Works." The talk will also include a question and answer period where we can also discuss the 2006 elections, and other topics related to participatory politics. This will be a unique opportunity to talk to one of the leading figures in modern participatory politics!

The Edgewater/Rogers Park DFA meets in the upstairs room of the Wing Hoe Chinese Restaurant, 5356 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL. The evening's schedule is:

- 6:00 p.m. Dinner and Socializing (a great time to talk politics, eat Chinese food , and socialize with DFAers)
- 7:00 p.m. Meeting (we will have updates on local elections and upcoming events)
- 8:00 p.m. Guest Speaker Dick Simpson, "How the Chicago City Council *Really* Works"

Feel free to come for the whole evening, for just the meeting and guest speaker, or for the guest speaker only. All are welcome --
bring a friend!

RSVP and get more details at:

http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=3610

If you can't make it, and you live in the Egdewater/Rogers Park Area, join our group at www.dfalink.com and stay informed about ways you can be active in your neighborhood.

Sincerely,
Sandra Verthein
Edgewater/Rogers Park DFA Co-Host

NOTE: "DFA" stands for Democracy for America. The Edgewater/Rogers Park DFA Group is an an all-volunteer group that is inspired by, but not directly affiliated with, Democracy for America in Burlington, Vermont. Our mission is to fight the right wing and reclaim our country by supporting fiscally responsible, socially progressive candidates at all levels of government.

Hope to see you there.

Dick Simpson was great. Very motivating, telling us to get off our ass and work and grow the organization.

Also, Christine Cegalis was there as well. There was an impromptu solicitation for funds to her campaign by one of the DFA members. I believe over $200 was raised right then for her campaign. We also learned that the DCCC plans on putting in at least $1,000,000 for Duckworth just in the primary itself.

jesus christ. i swear their internal polls are telling them christine would win. anybody that does not say :wtf: is just not cynical enough for our times.
i'm sorry i missed this. i just rarely have the energy to do night time stuff. i really wanted to see simpson.
sandra was probably the 'collector'. she does most of the chicago/cegalis stuff. sorry i didn't get to see her.