Our Mission

Progressives for Change is an inclusive and progressive network of residents determined to cultivate an informed and engaged citizenry in Elmhurst, IL and beyond. We gather to advocate, educate, and empower ourselves and others.

OUR VISION

A nation embracing all people and a sustainable future providing opportunity for all.

Past AccomplishMENTS

We have hosted monthly meetings with speakers on a range of topics-- from immigration, health care, to the environment-- from understanding local government structure and how to have impact as a citizen-- to how to run for office, be an advocate and be a better ally.

Download our "The Years in Review" PDF here!

SPEAKERS HAVE INCLUDED:

  • Faiyaz Hussain, board member at Muslim Advocates

  • Jane Lombardi, Director of Immigration and Citizenship at Erie Neighborhood House

  • Greg Bales, Community Outreach Coordinator for Senator Dick Durbin

  • Ben Silver, Citizen Advocacy Center, and Ald. Marti Deuter (1st Ward, Elmhurst)

  • Congressman Mike Quigley

  • Jen Walling, Executive Director at Illinois Environmental Council

  • J.B. Pritzker, Daniel Biss, and Chris Kennedy candidates for Governor of Illinois, and Jesse Ruiz, candidate for Attorney General of IL

  • Juliana Stratton, then candidate/now elected Illinois Lt. Governor

  • Jim Bennett, Director of Human Rights for the State of Illinois

  • Gail Morse, attorney, and Lauren Verdich, founder of Open Hand Chicago; both LGBT Hall of Fame inductees in 2015

  • Kristin Hartsaw, Public Benefits and Training Specialist for DuPage Federation on Human Resources Reform; Kathy Waligora, Health Reform Initiative Director from EverThrive Illinois; and Kara Murphy, President of DuPage Health Coalition/Access DuPage

  • Rev. Jessica A. Harren, pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church

  • How to Run for Office panel: Ald. Marti Deuter (Elmhurst 1st Ward), Liz Chaplin (DuPage County Board, District 2) and Joe Vosicky (attorney who ran for State Representative, District 46)

  • Sisters of Mercy Pat Murphy and JoAnn Persch, advocates for immigrants, refugees and the homeless

  • Kerri Kennedy and Joanna Spathis, authors of Wake, Rise, Resist: Empowering Teen Voices

ACTION HIGHLIGHTS SINCE NOVEMBER 2016:

  • Sponsored the Love Lives Here vigil, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising and supporting our LGBTQ community

  • Hosted Rapid Response Training, providing members the know-how to document ICE raids and collect information that can be used to organize, litigate, and end the criminalization and deportation of our families and community members

  • Organized the Suburban Leaders Summit, gathering like-minded change-makers from politically progressive organizations to share best practices and organize for Nov. 2020

  • Supported York High School student-led efforts to advocate for the environment at the 2019 Youth Climate Strike

  • Sent letters of support to area mosques and synagogues

  • Sent letters and calls of support to the Elmhurst YMCA for their inclusive bathroom & locker room policy

  • Marched in the D.C. and Chicago Women's March, the March for Science, Climate March, Tax March, and others

  • When the Travel Ban was enacted, members marched, worked as pro-bono attorneys and donated meals to onsite attorney teams

  • Organized and promoted Know Your Rights trainings

  • Hosted political activist trainings to understand how to be an advocate, how to engage elected leaders, and the "art of the argument,"presented by ABT President Georgia Logothetis

  • Members ran in a World Relief charity 5k

  • Members held an impromptu peace and inclusion vigil in Elmhurst after white supremacists marched in Charlottesville

  • A P4C board member coordinated distribution of hundreds of "In Our America..." signs that now appear throughout Elmhurst and beyond

  • Members have organized multiple letter-writing and postcard campaigns on issues ranging from support for climate change science to support for Doug Jones in Alabama's special election for U.S. Senate

  • Members have organized and supported multiple efforts to collect items for refugees and refugee families

  • Members have coordinated donation of items to DuPage PADS, the Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry, the First United Methodist Church's clothes closet, the Erie Neighborhood House preschool, and many others

  • Members donated books to the Elmhurst Public Library Children's Section that focus on social justice, kindness and mental health issues

  • Advocated for progressive issues at the national, state and local level through postcard writing

  • Hosted candidates for the November 2018 elections