2012 NASW IL PAC Endorsements

Thursday, 13 September, 2012 01:10 Written by admin

NASW IL PAC ANNOUNCES 2012 HOUSE/SENATE ENDORSEMENTS

November election vital to human services

Chicago, IL – The crucial upcoming November election will greatly impact social work and human services in Illinois. Elected leaders will make decisions regarding funding, along with a vast array of services that help our communities. Therefore it is important to elect leaders who support policies that are consistent with the social work profession.

Supporting responsible candidates is one of the main goals of the NASW IL Political Action Committee. The PAC is separately incorporated and supported by NASW member contributions – not association dues. The candidate selection process is member driven, with social workers engaging with incumbents and candidates throughout the state. In addition to candidate endorsement, the PAC adamantly promotes political education and participation in the electoral process by social work professionals.

NASW IL PAC is proud to announce the following candidate endorsements:

House

Naomi Jakobsson – 103^rd district

Camille Lilly – 78^th district

Elaine Nekritz – 57^th district

Robert Martwick – 19^th district

Michael Langendorf – 104^th district

Sid Mathias – 59th district

Senate

Corinne Pierog – 25^th district

Amanda Howland – 26^th district

Dan Biss – 9^th district

Daniel Kotowski – 28^th district

Andy Manar – 48^th district

Michael Frerichs – 52^nd district

Steve Stadelman – 34^th district

Dave Koehler – 46th District

Toi Hutchinson – 40th District

Julie Morrison – 29th District

Previously Endorsed Candidates: (The following were endorsed in the primary and are therefore endorsed for the general election).

Edward Acevedo -2nd District

Emanuel “Chris” Welch – 7^th District

Kelly Cassidy – 14^th District

Robert Martwick – 19th District

Rudy Lozano – 21^st District

Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez – 24^th District

Christian Mitchell – 26^th District

Elgie R. Sims, Jr., – 34^th District

Ron Sandack – 81^st District

ADDITIONAL ENDORSEMENTS FORTHCOMING

2012 NASW IL PAC Primary Endorsement Slate:

Tuesday, 13 March, 2012 10:06 Written by admin

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Additional endorsements for the general election will occur after the primary election.

Edward Acevedo – Illinois House 2^nd District: A longtime advocate for the aging community and sponsor of KidsCare, Rep. Acevedo’s work in the social services and protecting Medicare is well-respected. He scored a 90% on the NASW Illinois Scorecard, with his only non-supportive vote coming with his approval of the ComEd bill (SB1652). Rep. Acevedo is the right choice for the 2^nd District. The NASW IL PAC endorses.

Emanuel “Chris” Welch – Illinois House 7^th District: In a candidate-rich primary, the NASW IL PAC endorses Chris Welch for 7^th District. His strong support for education funding, healthcare for Illinois’ most vulnerable, and his commitment to keeping people in their homes aligns his candidacy incredibly well with the legislative agenda and ideals of the NASW IL PAC.

Kelly Cassidy – Illinois House 14^th District: Kelly is easily one of the most progressive and aggressive freshman representatives in Springfield in quite some time. Her legislation runs the gamut from expanded protection for children, LGBT advocacy, defense of pro-choice, nursing home reform, and reasonable gun control efforts. Rep. Kelly Cassidy scored 100% on the NASW Illinois Scorecard. Kelly is a strong supporter of the social work profession and advocates for prompt payment to social service providers. NASW IL PAC strongly endorses Rep. Kelly Cassidy for 14^th District.

Robert Martwick – Illinois House 19^th District: As a former domestic violence prosecutor, Robert Martwick has a long history working with social workers in child abuse and neglect and domestic violence. Martwick’s strong support for education funding and a progressive tax system impresses, but the progressive from Norridge ultimately wins our support for his unequivocal support for the women’s right to make health decisions with the advice of her doctor and without the intrusion of politicians. In light of recent legislation from the 19^th District’s current office holder, the NASW IL PAC can’t endorse Robert Martwick for 19^th District fast enough.

Rudy Lozano – Illinois House 21^st District: As a former service provider for families and youth from low income communities, Rudy Lozano knows the importance of the social work profession. He has been a longtime advocate for fully funding social services and a vocal opponent for budget reductions in communities needing assistance. He has also been a strong advocate for cultural and linguistic services to the state’s immigrant community. The NASW IL PAC anticipates working closely with Rudy Lozano and strongly endorses him for state representative of the Illinois House 21^st District.

Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez – Illinois House 24^th District: A strong advocate for health care for all and additional education funding, Elizabeth Hernandez has been a solid supporter of the social work profession. She scored a 90% on the NASW IL Scorecard with her only nonsupportive vote coming with her approval of the ComEd bill (SB1652). We feel Rep. Hernandez will continue to be an important ally to the profession and should return to Springfield. The NASW IL PAC endorses her for 24^th District Representative.

Christian Mitchell – Illinois House 26^th District: Christian Mitchell is a community organizer and policy advisor whose focus is on assisting single mothers and general members of the community to fight for living wage jobs, adequate housing, improved transportation, and equitable schools. A true progressive in the mold of former State Rep. Will Burns, NASW IL PAC strongly endorses him for State Representative for the 26^th District House.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr., – Illinois House 34^th District: As strong supporter of expanding educational funding, Elgie Sims, Jr., has a record that is already impressive. As a progressive who was Budget Director to former Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, Jr., we think Elgie Sims will bring a valuable skill set and knowledge base to Springfield that is needed at this time of economic difficulty. The NASW IL PAC endorses Elgie Sims, Jr., for 34^th District State Representative.

Ron Sandack – Illinois House 81^st District: As current State Senator, Ron Sandack has managed to balance his fiscally conservative views with socially responsible legislation. While we would prefer to see Senator Sandack embrace additional borrowing to pay for money due to social services, we were impressed with his support for the Dream Act, ending the death penalty in Illinois, and ultimately his sponsorship of the Emergency Medical Services Access Act which will no doubt save lives in our community. It is his willingness to work with the other side of the aisle on important and fiscally sound social issues that makes him an invaluable asset in Springfield to his conservative constituents and to the social work profession’s clients which we serve. The NASW IL PAC endorses Ron Sandack for State Representative for the 81^st District.

Additional information on current legislators can be found in the 2012 NASW IL PAC Scorecard

PAC RELEASES 2012 LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD

Friday, 09 March, 2012 13:22 Written by admin

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 9, 2012

Contact: Kyle Hillman

E-mail: khillman@naswilpac.org

Phone: 312.212.3717 x120

SOCIAL WORK PAC RELEASES 2012 LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD

The National Association of Social Workers Illinois Chapter Political Action Committee (NASW IL PAC) is pleased to present its 2011Legislative Scorecard. The NASW IL PAC advocates for over 20,000 social workers (8,000 of which are active members) working in the state of Illinois who practice in the social work profession.

Twenty-one Illinois legislators were placed in the PAC’s Jane Addams Group. This was a distinction awarded to members of the Illinois Legislature who voted 100% with the NASW IL PAC. The complete scorecard can be found by [Clicking Here]

Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge)
Sen. Heather A. Steans (D-Chicago)
Sen. Ira I. Silverstein (D-Chicago)
Sen. James F. Clayborne, Jr.(D-East St. Louis)
Sen. Jeffrey M. Schoenberg (D-Evanston)
Sen. John M. Sullivan (D-Quincy)
Sen. Michael W. Frerichs (D-Champaign)
Rep. Al Riley (D-Hazel Crest)
Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago)
Rep. Daniel Biss (D-Skokie)
Rep. Deborah Mell (D-Chicago)
Rep. Eddie Lee Jackson, Sr.(D-East St. Louis)
Rep. Elaine Nekritz (D-Des Plaines)
Rep. Esther Golar (D-Chicago)
Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago)
Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago)
Rep. La Shawn K. Ford (D-Chicago)
Rep. Lisa M. Dugan (D-Kankakee)
Rep. Michael J. Zalewski (D-Summit)
Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago)
Rep. William Cunningham (D-Chicago)

The NASW IL PAC Legislative Scorecard is a source for Illinois social workers to learn how their legislators voted on key issues that impacted the social work profession and their clients. The NASW IL PAC releases its scorecard at the end of each year to ensure that members know legislator’s records on key economic and social work–related public policy issues, and to also recognize lawmakers who understand the importance of a strong and funded social service industry.

As you can see, the 2011 Legislative Scorecard shows numerous perfect scores and reflects the success that the NASW IL PAC and its members received in persuading lawmakers to vote in the interests of the social work profession and our clients. However, budget constraints and current legislation being presented will require continued diligence and participation from the social work profession. For more information, check out the NASW IL PAC website at http://www.naswilpac.org and join our advocacy alert e-mail list.

The National Association of Social Workers Illinois Chapter (NASW IL) Political Action Committee (PAC) is the non-partisan political arm of NASW IL. As a political action committee, NASW IL PAC endorses and financially contributes to candidates from any party who support the NASW Illinois Chapter’s policy agenda.

Congratulations to James Cappleman, LCSW and NASW member!

Thursday, 07 April, 2011 10:12 Written by admin

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Congratulations to James Cappleman, LCSW and NASW member, for becoming the newest alderman of the 46th Ward in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. James was endorsed last fall by the NASW Illinois Chapter Political Action Committee (NASW IL PAC) and will serve the next four years in city council. It is an exciting time as we will have several new social work supporters and now a licensed social worker providing a unique insight to legislation.

NASW IL PAC Endorses JAMES CAPPLEMAN, LCSW

Tuesday, 25 January, 2011 13:03 Written by admin

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The NASW IL PAC is proud to announce their endorsement of Aldermanic Candidate James Cappleman for the 46th Ward.

James Cappleman, a licensed social worker and member of NASW IL, has always considered himself a community activist and advocate focused on the importance of creating systemic change. That is why James is proud to be a candidate for 46^th Ward Alderman. Having worked in the community for over 10 years, James brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that prepares him to be a strong advocate for the 46^th Ward and the City of Chicago on day one.

After settling in Chicago in the late 1980s, James worked with homeless HIV/AIDS clients at Travelers and Immigrant Aid (now Heartland Alliance). This experience moved James to return to school and receive his MSW from the Jane Addams College of Social at the University of Illinois (UIC) at Chicago. Upon graduation, James worked at Children’s Memorial Hospital, then moved to St. Joseph’s Hospital, Northwestern Hospital, and is now currently at The University of Chicago Hospital.

James believes that the most effective way to move the 46^th Ward forward is to create an environment that encourages businesses to move into the area and allows them to thrive. For the past ten years, James has been on the board of the Uptown Chicago Commission (UCC), working to improve the quality of life of all Uptown residents.

In an effort to reduce crime in the 46^th Ward, James has worked with local elected officials including State Senator Heather Steans and State Representative Greg Harris on a number of task forces to address issues of public safety. While working to address unmonitored sex-offenders in the 46^th Ward, James identified weaknesses in the enforcement of laws that limit sex-offenders from living near a school, playground or daycare in Illinois. His work with Attorney General Lisa Madigan on this issue lead to stronger enforcement of these laws and helped to make our children safer.

As his career evolved, James became more involved with end-of-life and palliative care. During the mid 1990s, James served as chair of the NASW Illinois Chapter’s HIV/AIDS Network. His experience working in the healthcare field encouraged James to write Asking the Right Questions to Get the Healthcare You Need (Trafford Publishing) in 2008.

No other candidate in the race for 46^th Ward Alderman brings such a deep well of understanding of the issues affecting the community or such a long record of success stories in the neighborhood. With so many years of working in the 46^th Ward, James understands what works and what doesn’t work. He knows that the same failed fiscal policies will not bring our city closer to solvency. He understands the need to make our streets safer and our schools more effective for all children. Most importantly, James has a plan to move the 46^th Ward and Chicago forward.

James Cappleman lives in the Uptown neighborhood with is partner of 19 years, Richard Thale, and looks forward to further service to our community as Alderman of the 46^th Ward.

If you are a social worker or social work student wishing to volunteer for the James Cappleman campaign please click: https://naswil.wufoo.com/forms/2010-nasw-pac-volunteer-form/

For more information on James Cappleman: http://www.jamesforchange.com/

Endorsements

Elected Officials

Honorable Heather Steans, Illinois State Senator

Honorable Mary Ann Smith, 48th Ward Alderman

Honorable Tom Sharpe, 46th Ward Democrats

Honorable Carol Ronen, 48th Ward Democrats

Honorable Debra Shore, Metropolitan Water Reclimation Board

Honorable Mariyana Spyropoulus, Metropolitan Water Reclimation Board

Honorable Debra Mell, Illinois State Represenative

Individuals

Emily Stewart, 46th Ward Aldermanic Candidate

Andy Lam, 46th Ward Aldermanic Candidate

Befekadu Retta, 46th Ward Aldermanic Candidate

Caitlin McIntyre, 46th Ward Aldermanic Candidate

Diane Shapiro, 46th Ward Aldermanic Candidate

Organizations

Personal PAC

Northside Democracy For America

National Association of Social Workers

National Democracy For America

Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund

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Category: Endorsement

2012 NASW IL PAC Endorsements

2012 NASW IL PAC Primary Endorsement Slate:

PAC RELEASES 2012 LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD

Congratulations to James Cappleman, LCSW and NASW member!

NASW IL PAC Endorses JAMES CAPPLEMAN, LCSW