39WNU Endorses Michael Rabbitt for 15th District State Rep Appointment
39th Ward Neighbors United is proud to announce our endorsement of Michael Rabbitt for the 15th District State Representative appointment.
Michael is a community organizer, activist, parent, and civic leader with a proven track record of standing up for the needs of our communities. He has fought for affordable housing, immigration reform, police accountability, and progressive revenue sources, all with a focus on racial justice. As a co-founder and leader with Neighbors for Affordable Housing, he organized community members to stand against the racist backlash to 5150 N Northwest Highway development, which ultimately won approval to construct 75 units of affordable housing for veterans, people with disabilities, the elderly, and families in neighboring Jefferson Park. In 2018, following a hate crime in Caldwell Woods, he founded Northwest Side Coalition Against Racism and Hate and organized “Peace in the Preserves” events to reject racism on the northwest side. He is a member of 39th Ward Neighbors United, United Northwest Side, and The People’s Lobby, all organizations dedicated to building progressive power. We are confident that Michael will continue to stand up for our communities in Springfield and be accountable to us at home.
The urgency of this moment is palpable: The D’Amico/Laurino dynasty has held control over our district for decades, and John D’Amico’s resignation offers a rare opportunity to wrest power from their hands. We want that power to reside with the people. Michael Rabbitt is the only candidate in this field with a history of taking action with and for the working-class people who make up a majority of our district. He is the clear choice for anyone hoping to see this vacancy filled by someone who will champion progressive legislation and who will be accountable to the communities he would represent. We stand firmly in support of the one candidate seeking this appointment who has proven their commitment to our communities time and time again, and that is Michael Rabbitt.
The appointment will be decided on Tuesday, November 23 by the Democratic Party committeepersons who represent the 15th Legislative District. We call on them to appoint Michael Rabbit to this seat. Below is a list of the committeepersons, their weighted vote, and their contact information. We urge constituents in these areas to reach out to your committeeperson today to demand their commitment to vote for Michael Rabbitt on Tuesday!
Senator Ram Villivalam - Chicago 39th Ward - 38.17% weighted vote - ram@ramforsenate.com
Senator Laura Murphy - Maine Township - 32.57% weighted vote - mainetwndems@gmail.com
Representative Lou Lang - Niles Township - 17.7% weighted vote - reploulang@aol.com
Joe Cook - Chicago 41st Ward - 8.97% weighted voted - joecook79@gmail.com
Senator Iris Martinez - Chicago 33rd Ward - 1.33% weighted vote - TheNew33rdWardDemocrats@gmail.com
Alderman James Gardiner - Chicago 45th Ward - 0.33% weighted vote - gardiner45th@gmail.com
Anthony Quezada - Chicago 33rd Ward - 0.01% weighted vote - committeemanquezada@gmail.com
Not sure if you live in the 15th Legislative District? Check the map: bit.ly/ILdistrictmap2021
For more information on the candidates, check out the questionnaires they completed and the recording of our People’s Candidate Forum here: www.39thwardneighborsunited.org/candidates-15th-state-rep-2021
