One Community United: A Town Hall for the South Asian Community on Immigration and Human Rights

Join community members for an interactive town hall to discuss immigration reform and human rights in the South Asian community. With immigration reform proposals being circulated in Congress, an opportunity to speak out about our community’s experiences and identify ways to take action together is both urgent and important.

When: Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 6:30 PM

Where: Indo-American Center
6328 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60659

Why:

• Discuss immigration and human rights
• Exchange ideas and information
• Hear from local and national organizations
• Get involved and make change

Refreshments will be served!

RSVP by May 24 by emailing info@saalt.org or calling 301-270-1855.

The One Community United Town Hall is coordinated by SAALT and Chicago members of the National Coalition of South Asian Organizations (NCSO):

• Apna Ghar
• Indo-American Center
• South Asian American Policy and Research Institute (SAAPRI)
• South Asian Progressive Action Collective (SAPAC)
• The Hamdard Center

The Town Hall is also co-sponsored by:

• Albany Park Neighborhood Council
• Asian American Institute
• Coalition of African, Arab, Asian, European, and Latino Immigrants of Illinois (CAAAELII)
• Community Builders Chicago (CBC)
• Indo American Coalition for Immigration (IACI)
• North American Association of Indian IT Professionals (NAAIIP)

One Community United is a campaign on immigrant and civil rights coordinated by the NCSO. The campaign seeks to promote community dialogue and elevate the call for humane immigration laws and strong civil rights protections. For more information on the NCSO and the campaign, please contact SAALT at info@saalt.org or visit us at www.saalt.org.

The cause of unemployment is generally broken down by economists into three categories:

1. Unemployed by choice–Say if you were between jobs or left a job to start your own business

2. Cyclical–Unemployment caused by a business cycle recession, i.e. a period of low aggregate demand

3. Structural–Unemployment as a result of a lack of demanded skills, most likely because of technological innovation

Illinois has lost about 390,000 jobs since 2000. Nearly three-quarters of those jobs were in manufacturing. The remainder is in service industries like construction.

What does this mean? Certainly some of those manufacturing jobs have been lost because of the recession and will return as the economy recovers, but a large proportion won’t come back because they are no longer in demand. While some of those skills maybe transferable to other jobs, others will not and they will persistently struggle to re-enter the labor market.

Obviously this is a simple analysis, but in a period where difficult budget choices have to be made by policymakers, it seems that a focus on education and skill development opportunities would make a significant difference in our short- and long-term fiscal health.

Clearly this won’t solve all our long-term budget problems as we have still have to deal with pensions and the stickiness of wages (I’m lookin’ at you, Unions) . But I’ll save that for another post.

However, he may have another chance, at a higher office: Lieutenant Governor.

From ABC, WLS-TV news:

The Democrats are tossing around names to replace Scott Lee Cohen, who resigned over the weekend as candidate for lieutenant governor.

Democratic leaders don’t like talking about it publicly, but some believe the party’s fall ticket should be more diverse. They also believe that Cohen’s resignation allows the party a chance to add diversity, which is why two Asian Americans are getting serious buzz.

“A lot of people know us. I don’t need to re-introduce myself in a big way,” said Raja Krishnamoorthi.

Peoria-raised Krishnamoorthi says his losing effort in the democratic primary for state comptroller has proven his ability to win votes downstate and to raise money. Running a positive ad campaign, the 35-year-old Harvard-educated lawyer finished less than a percentage point behind nominee David Miller. He raised $1.1 million and said there’s more money to help the fall ticket if he’s selected.

“A lot of supporters who helped me in this race will provide that energy and most needed as a democratic party,” said Krishnamoorthi.

Another possible replacement candidate is Tammy Duckworth, who was unavailable for comment. Democratic sources tell ABC7 that some party leaders favor Duckworth or Krishnamoorthi because they are qualified Asian Americans and would add diversity to the fall ticket.

Thanks! Now get out and VOTE!

-Ramona

Can I still register to vote?

No. Regular voter registration ended Jan. 5 (the standard one month prior to an election), and grace period registration ended Jan. 26.

You should register to vote after this primary election so that you can vote in the regular election on Nov. 2.

What are we voting for in IL?

In the February 2, 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election, IL voters will cast ballots that include:

• U.S. Senator
• U.S. Representatives
• Governor
• Lieutenant Governor
• Attorney General
• Secretary of State
• State Comptroller
• State Treasurer
• State Senators (some)
• State Representatives
• Cook County Board President
• Cook County Commissioners
• Cook County Assessor
• Cook County Clerk
• Cook County Treasurer
• Cook County Sheriff
• Cook County Board of Review Commissioner (1st district)
• Appellate and Circuit Court Judges
• Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioners (some)
• Regional Superintendent of Schools
• Democratic, Republican & Green Party Township Committeemen
• Various statewide, countywide and local referenda questions

Do I have to declare a political party preference?

Yes. In primary elections, you will be asked which political party’s ballot you would like to vote.

What will my ballot look like? Where do I go to vote?

Remember that you can print out your ballot, mark it up with your voting preferences, and take it into the voting booth with you. You do not have to vote on memory alone!

In suburban Cook County, you can see your exact ballot and polling place at the Cook County Clerk’s website.

In Chicago, go to ChicagoElections.com.

In other parts of IL, go to the IL State Board of Elections.

If you want to see what referenda might appear on your ballot, the IL State Board of Elections provides a handy Referenda Search. (It’s a bit clunky, so you’re better off just looking at your exact ballot using the links above.)

What time are the polls open?

Polls are open from 6am to 7pm every Election Day.

What is early voting and where/when can I do it?

Early voting ended Jan. 28. However, you can cast an in-person absentee ballot from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1. For more info, go to the Cook County Clerk’s website.

How do I get an absentee ballot?

Jan. 28 was the last day to request a mail-in absentee ballot.

The options available to you now are to cast an in-person absentee ballot (see above) or to vote in person, at your polling place, on Feb. 2.

How do I know which judges to vote for?

Voting for judges is important. It’s a big part of your ballot, but it doesn’t take a lot of extra work to figure out which ones to support.

In Cook County, go to VoteForJudges.org. Read through the home page and then go to the Evaluations page to get your guide.

I use this guide to help me pick judges every time I vote. I print out the PDF version, highlight the judges I will vote for, and take that with me into the voting booth.

In the rest of IL, check the Illinois State Bar Association’s evaluations. The ISBA is only one of the bar associations included in the VoteForJudges Cook County guide, but it’s the only current statewide guide I’ve been able to find. Please share others you know of!

What kind of voting equipment will I use?

You may choose to use a paper ballot or an electronic touch-screen machine. Instructions should be posted at your polling place; you can also ask an election judge for assistance.

What if I show up and they tell me I can’t vote?

If you believe you are registered to vote and are at the correct polling place, ask for a “provisional ballot.” The election judges must provide you with at least a provisional ballot. They cannot turn you away. If they deny you the right to vote, call your County Clerk’s office. (Take the phone number with you to your polling place just in case.)

Don’t be shy about this. You know from previous elections and even reports from this year that people tamper with elections. You have every right to cast your ballot without interference or intimidation. And you have every right to tell your election authority to get their butts out to your polling place if anyone gives you trouble.

Know Your Rights

This is your Voter Bill of Rights. Read it – it’s important.

Voter Bill of Rights

1. Cast your ballot in a non-disruptive atmosphere free of interference.
2. Vote if you’re in line by 7pm.
3. Vote by provisional ballot if your registration is not found.
4. Vote a full ballot at your old polling place if you have moved within 30 days of the election.
5. Request voting assistance, if needed.
6. Bring newspaper endorsements or sample ballots into the voting booth.
7. Protect the secrecy of your ballot.
8. Receive a new ballot if you make a mistake or change your mind.
9. Review your ballot to ensure it’s complete and correct.
10. Have your ballot counted fairly and impartially.

Have more questions?

Lastly, if you have any questions at all about this year’s elections, ASK ME. Even if you don’t live in IL, I can help you find the answers to your questions. I would be happy to help you.