LP Illinois News - May 2009 #2
Welcome New Chapters
We welcome two new local chapters to the Illinois Libertarian Party: one in Bond-Fayette County and the other in McLean County.
Thanks to the growing popularity of Libertarian thought, chapters are also forming in DeKalb, Kankakee, Lake, East St. Louis, Peoria, and Stephenson. For more information about a local chapter in your area, visit LPIllinois.org/about/local_chapters.php.
Campus Chapters
Libertarian groups are also springing up at colleges and universities all over Illinois. For example, Kyle Kidwell, McLean County Libertarian Party Youth Chair, is currently working on forming a registered student organization at Illinois State University.
There are many wonderful liberty-related activities going on in Bloomington already, including weekly Campaign for Liberty coffee house meetings and last month’s Tax Day Tea Party. Adding a campus group will bring even more people to the movement and open up new opportunities for activism and outreach.
If you would like to get involved with a campus group, see the “Students” page in the “Join” section of our website or contact Karin Vermillion, our Campus Coordinator (Campus@LPIllinois.org).
State Party Leadership
We thank all our libertarian leaders for serving the cause of freedom. Here's the latest regarding the state officer volunteer positions:
– Stephen Chojnicki has accepted the position of Newsletter Editor. (This is his first edition.) Your news items can be sent to Stephen by emailing News@LPIllinois.org.
– We are currently seeking a new Webmaster to maintain our website and related technologies. Website development experience is required and knowledge of Joomla and/or Web 2.0 skills is desirable. If you are interested in more information, contact Crystal Jurczynski, our acting Webmaster (Web@LPIllinois.org).
– We are also seeking a Fundraising Chair to help us raise the funds needed to move our Party forward. Interested parties should contact Dave Brady, State Chair, at 800-735-1776 or Chair@LPIllinois.org.
You can see a full list of the current LP Illinois state party officers and a description of each position at our website, LPIllinois.org, in the About section.
Dundee Memorial Day Parade: Please Walk with Us
The Fox Valley Libertarian Party will be walking in the Dundee Memorial Day Parade this Sunday, May 24, at 2:00 P.M. We shall gather at 1:00 at the corner of Main (IL-72) and Van Buren in East Dundee. FVLP T-shirts will be available for only $8! The festivities will continue at a local restaurant after the parade.
Please contact Julie Fox, Fox Valley LP Chair (jfox1214@sbcglobal.net; 847-528-1126) if you would like to participate or have questions.
“Freedom Rings” Pig Roast, Swim Party, & Live Band Fun'raiser
On Saturday, June 27, beginning at 2:00, Ken and Pam Prazak will host a fun'raising great time. Ken has hosted “Freedom Rings” for over eleven years, and over that time he has amassed a $5000 debt when advertising wasn't enough.Help us get rid of this debt and bring back a two-hour Libertarian radio show!
There will be volleyball, “bags,” swimming, and great conversation; the pig roast will be served about 5:00, and it includes all the trimmings: two types of potato salad, baked beans, cole slaw, fruit salad, other salads, appetizers, desserts, beer, and soft drinks.
The pig roast will feature a live band followed by a bonfire at dusk. There are a guest bedroom, couches, and room to pitch tents if you would like to stay the night. $25 for adults; $10 for children 5-12; free for children under 5.
RSVP to Ken (ken@freedomrings.net; 847-426-1974) if you would like to attend.
State Convention in October
Save the date! The LP Illinois Convention will be October 23-25 in Collinsville, near St. Louis. In addition to the fine lineup of speakers and workshops that will be offered, we will also be nominating candidates for state-wide offices in 2010. We must fill the slate of candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, and Comptroller. Julie Fox has already announced her candidacy for Comptroller—who will join her?
With Illinois reeling from the corruption scandals surrounding our past 2 Governors and appalled by the proposed 50% income tax hike, now is the best time to propose libertarian solutions that will improve the lives of every person in our state. For more information about running for any office in Illinois, contact Jan Stover, our Campaigns Chair (Campaigns@LPIllinois.org).
We are also seeking volunteers interested in joining the Bylaws Review Committee in preparation for the Convention. Contact Crystal Jurczynski if you are interested (Secretary@LPIllinois.org).
Rasmussen Survey: 59% Believe Government Is the Problem
The story appears here. Read it and be hopeful that our fight for liberty will continue to gain supporters!
Quote
"The world crisis of today is a moral crisis—and nothing less than a moral revolution can resolve it: a moral revolution to sanction and complete the political achievement of the American revolution. ... [You] must fight for capitalism, not as a 'practical' issue, not as an economic issue, but, with the most righteous pride, as a moral issue. That is what capitalism deserves, and nothing less will save it." –Ayn Rand
For more about the enduring and growing popularity of Ayn Rand and Atlas Shrugged, theweek.com/article/index/95431/Ayn_Rand_Capitalisms_enduring_crusader