My favorite thing #RexHuppke said that evening was “Vote hard!” Thinking of putting it on a T-shirt.

Spotlight Elevate Engage@spotlightee.bsky.social · 5d ago

Huppke on reader mail: What I’m seeing encourages me because I feel like the fight is gone from some of these folks, the people who were these stalwarts who felt it was their job to go after every liberal…and defend their man. That has definitely tapered off dramtically. tinyurl.com/RexHuppkeQandA

I don’t know how I’d vote for #CookCounty,IL judges without the judicial guide from @injusticewatch.org. I donate so they can continue that work—but the hat is cool, too.

Injustice Watch@injusticewatch.org · 2w ago

🧢 Through the end of July, if you make a donation of $50 or more, we’ll send you the “check your judges” hat of your choice as a thank you. buff.ly/qlx1NfS

Devin Remiker, Wis Dems: For folks that are hopeless, I often talk about our state and what happened. Because really what is happening across this nation is what happened in Wisconsin in the 2010s … and we fought our way out of it. #midtermelections #WisconsinDems youtu.be/lkFf_OqOm7g?...

Can Illinois Help Wisconsin Win? with Devin Remiker

YouTube video by Spotlight Elevate Engage

youtu.be

I don’t know who was the first to post this, but for all of you sharing pictures of other bands not performing at Freedom 250, just stop. Nothing tops the Banana Splits (except maybe a cherry).

Middle Age Riot@middleageriot.bsky.social · 2mo ago

BREAKING: Contrary to rumor, the Banana Splits will not be performing at Donald Trump's Freedom 250 concert.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms supporting democracy.

Who is buying their mother a bottle of Dawn POWERWASH for Mother’s Day? And who besides HuffPost told you this was a good idea? Note to my children: I already have an open bottle under my sink and one in reserve, so I’m good.

HuffPost@huffpost.com · 3mo ago

You don't have to spend a fortune on a great Mother's Day gift.

“I wish we had ranked choice voting!” We heard that from many IL Dems, who had lots of choices in the primary. So we asked IL State Sen. Laura Murphy whether ranked choice voting could happen in IL. Short answer? It’s complicated. See our interview on YouTube, @SpotlightEE: tinyurl.com/RCVInterview

IL State Sen. Laura Murphy on Ranked Choice Voting

We talked to Illinois Sate Sen. Laura Murphy about how ranked choice voting works and the prospects for seeing it implemented in Illinois. We reached out to Sen. Murphy after hearing from so many local voters who said they wished Illinois had ranked choice voting. Voters grappled with whether to vote for the their favorite candidates or vote strategically when confronted with multiple candidates in several races on the Democratic ballot in the Illinois March 2026 primary. Sen. Murphy represents the 28th District, which includes parts of Chicago, Park Ridge, Niles, Des Plaines, Morton Grove, Glenview, Mount Prospect, Rolling Meadows, Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove Village, Schaumburg, Roselle and Hanover Park.

tinyurl.com

Illinois Senate aiming to make solar panels more accessible: Lawmakers seek measure to make small-scale plug-in solar panels available to renters capitolnewsillinois.com/news/lawmake...

Lawmakers seek measure to make small-scale plug-in solar panels available to renters

Article Summary A bill to allow for small, plug-in solar panel systems is moving through the Senate, which would open

capitolnewsillinois.com

If everyone in #IL09 would stop voting strategically and vote for their 1st choice, Mike Simmons could win. I voted for Mike because he’s a progressive with a proven track record of passing legislation and standing up for his constituents. Plus he takes public trans! Can’t fix what you don’t know.

Glad to see voters in Illinois are heeding warnings about changes in postmark rules and bringing their mail ballots to drop boxes. Now we have to remind them to only bring their ballot to a drop box in their election district. Cook County has 2–one for suburbanites and one for Chicago residents.

Spotlight Elevate Engage@spotlightee.bsky.social · 5mo ago

We’ve heard reports of Chicago voters being turned away when they brought mail ballots to Park Ridge City Hall. You must bring your ballot to a drop box within YOUR election district. There are 2 in Cook County, www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/elections (for suburban voters only) and chicagoelections.gov.

Well, this is handy! Pick up a print copy of the Injustice Watch Cook County judicial election guide and bring it to that relative who still prefers the feel of paper and the act of turning pages. Early voting in the Illinois primary is going on now. Election Day is March 17.

Injustice Watch@injusticewatch.org · 5mo ago

Here’s a map of locations where you can pick up a copy of our Cook County judicial election guide. New locations are being added through the end of this week! www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/v...

Candidate forums have been packed since October, so not surprised to see an uptick in turnout—but, wow, Des Plaines!

Spotlight Elevate Engage@spotlightee.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Lots of voter enthusiasm in Park Ridge and Des Plaines, Illinois. The first day of early voting saw turnout way up over 2022 numbers. No incumbent running in the Senate race, or 9th or 8th Districts, means more seats up for grabs. Polls show lots of voters still undecided.

How do you help kids cope with a scary world? We asked our local library, and they gave us a list of 20+ books that tackle tough subjects, like deportation, food insecurity and gun violence. Find the list here: spotlightee.org/kids-books-o... Can’t find what you’re looking for? Ask a librarian!

How many more years until I can vote for Maxwell Frost for president?

Acyn@acyn.bsky.social · 8mo ago

Frost: If you want to protect children, why don't you ban assault weapons instead of health care?

Dear @durbin.senate.gov --you should retire today and let our governor appoint someone who understands how to lead. You continue to act like this is the same Senate you have been in for forever. It's not and it hasn't been in a long time. If you don't understand that you don't belong there.

Voters have lots of choices in the race to fill U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s seat. Hear from some of the Democratic candidates at this forum happening on Oct. 21 in Skokie. #9thDistrictUSHouse #CitizenActionIllinois

My very Chicago signs for #NoKings in #ParkRidge and #ArlingtonHeights. A young boy asked me what the zip ties sign meant. I explained, and then he told me he uses zip ties for Halloween costumes. We agreed that was a much better use for them.

It’s been great watching so many independent newsrooms meet the moment in Chicago. #ChicagoImmigrationNews #ChicagoIndependentNews

Block Club Chicago@blockclubchi.bsky.social · 10mo ago

Block Club Chicago has launched a WhatsApp channel focused on Chicago immigration news. blockclubchi.co/47r4SXN

More non-profit newsrooms looking for photos of ICE activities in Chicago. #ICEinChicago #NonprofitNews

Chicago Sun-Times@chicago.suntimes.com · 11mo ago

Help our team at Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ track where ICE agents are being deployed in Chicago. If you see federal action, submit your photos — which will be vetted by our journalists for inclusion in a map. trib.al/aikleGF

#Chicago #Chicagojournalists Looking for coverage of ICE & National Guard in Chicago? Try these sources. Chicago residents: consider sharing your video with these journalists. Have seen great articles recently from @injusticewatch.org @blockclubchi.bsky.social and @borderlessmag.bsky.social

This is a great, comprehensive site with info on where to turn for free or low-cost legal assistance, how to create a short-term guardianship of a minor, answers to frequently asked questions, and more. Illinoisimmigrationinfo.org #illinoisimmigration #knowyourrights

IL IMMIGRATION INFO | Know Your Rights

illinoisimmigrationinfo.org

Governor JB Pritzker@govpritzker.illinois.gov · 11mo ago

Things feel uncertain right now, Illinois. I want you all to know we’re doing everything we can to protect your rights. Make sure you know how to stand up for yourself and others at illinoisimmigrationinfo.org.

I had a great conversation with Patrick Hanley about the chaos of Project 2025 and what he’s hearing on the campaign trail from progressives and conservatives alike.

Spotlight Elevate Engage@spotlightee.bsky.social · last yr.

We talked to Operation Swing State co-founder Patrick Hanley about the impact of Project 2025. He shared where he’s finding common ground as he campaigns for Illinois State Senate, plus tips for how to stay engaged without burning out. Find the full interview on YouTube here: tinyurl.com/2p9kb4vj

One person can make a difference. What are you doing?

Ali Velshi@velshi.com · last yr.

What can one person do to resist authoritarianism? Plenty. Boycott. Troll snitch lines. Worship a noodle god. This is your playbook for disrupting tyranny— because democracy won’t save itself. #Velshi

Free online courses from Harvard! We especially like, “We the People: Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy.”

Erica Chenoweth@chenoweth.bsky.social · last yr.

Harvard's mission is knowledge production and education in service of the public good. We offer many online courses for the public and for free. Check out some free offerings here:

#parkridge A great peaceful protest in Park Ridge, IL, last weekend—organized by a first-time protestor.

I stared at this for 5 straight minutes. Sometimes you need a break from the chaos.

AltYellostoneNatPar@altyellonatpark.org · 2y ago

A rare cartwheel galaxy PGC-2248 Photo credit James Webb Space Telescope Constellation Sculptor Discovered 1941 by Fritz Zwicky Distance 500 light years Once a normal spiral galaxy it collided perfectly (bulls eye) with another galaxy who's shock wave created this unique structure.

Making scholarships taxable is a perverse attack on the American Dream. We believe in opportunity for all. This isn’t it.

Chris Conzen@chrisconzen.bsky.social · 2y ago

“Republican lawmakers are considering a change to tax policy that would make college more expensive for students receiving grants and scholarships to help pay their tuition bill.”

Brilliant.

Don’t know what to do? Start in your own backyard.

Spotlight Elevate Engage@spotlightee.bsky.social · 2y ago

While everyone else is focused on DC, we are working in Park Ridge, IL, to endorse & support candidates for local office, register voters and fight misinformation. Our Spring elections feature lots of contested races. Want to protect public schools & libraries? Start at home.