Progressive Democrats of America (PDA)

IL 05

Following is the initial response to Wade Hudson's 3/21/08 email:

Hi Wade:

I checked out the Progressive Resource Catalog, very interesting and potentially very useful.

My responses to your questions in italics follow each question.

I serve as the chair of Chicago Chapter of Progressive Democrats of America. My responses reflect my urban perspective only. Loren Klugman who is the PDA Illinois Coordinator may have different responses.

Regards:

Bill Bianchi PDA Chicago

1. How many PDA members who live in your CD do you have in your network?

Chicago PDA actually serves several CDs in the Chicago metropolitan area. Because of the way CDs are gerrymandered in Chicago, we've found it difficult to focus on just one CD. Away from big urban areas, a single CD focus works better. However, we are working on ideas for developing more CD based chapters.

Our chapter is approximately one year old. Our network includes roughly 300 supporters and probably 30 activists.

2. What have you done with them?

PDA Chicago has been active in a number of progressive issue campaigns including impeachment, anti war activities focusing on Iraq and Iran, single payer health care and a very ambitious electoral effort in support of progressive John Laesch who ran for Congress in Dennis Hastert's district, IL-14.

3. What are your thoughts about future activities?

Build a stronger state-wide organization, get more involved with the progressive wing of the state democratic party, and continue working on issue and electoral campaigns as opportunities arise.

4. Do you communicate horizontally with other PDA CD Point People? If so, what is the nature of your communications?

Yes, we communicated by email, phone and in person with PDA 14 IL on the Laesch campaign. We are in process of planning a state-wide face to face meeting, and then want to conduct a monthly conference call.

5. If not, do you think it would be valuable to do so, perhaps with a listserv?

Not a big fan of listservs. Hard to get people using them, plus they require a moderator/facilitator to make them work.

6. Are you aware of other progressive organizations with CD-based structures in your CD? If so, do you ever work together?

We try to cooperate with DFA chapters in the area, but none of them are specifically CD oriented, again for the same reasons as listed above.