Education and Training

Campaign Trainings for Women

IDW Campaign Training
Sponsored by Illinois Democratic Women
Founded in 1971 to work for more equitable representation and participation of Democratic women in all levels of the Democratic Party and at all levels of government, Illinois Democratic Women fulfills its mission through educational programs and fund-raising activities. The IDW provides free trainings for groups of women in Illinois upon request, covering topics such as field work, fundraising, communications, and vote-getting. These trainings are open to anyone who has demonstrated a committment to be active in politics.

For more information:
Pam Monetti, Co-President
Jill Morgenthaler, Co-President
Illinois Democratic Women
P. O. Box 195
Bunker Hill, IL 62014
info@illinoisdemocratwomen.org
Monetti@royell.org
(618) 444-2891

Illinois Women's Institute for Leadership
The Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership (IWIL) is an educational organization that exists to encourage and train women to become effective leaders in Illinois government and politics. Participants attend seven monthly sessions (two days each) where they are trained in campaigning, government and public policy, and leadership and networking. The program is open to all Illinois Democratic women who have a commitment to serve in public office and a willingness to commit the time necessary to participate fully.

For more information:
Bobbie Ettinger
Illinois Women's Institute for Leadership
P.O. Box 1149
Springfield, IL 62705
office@iwilinfo.org
(217) 525-8434

The Illinois Lincoln Series
The Illinois Lincoln Excellence in Public Service Series, Inc. is a Republican political education program dedicated to increasing the number of Illinois Republican women in elected and appointed governmental and political positions at the local, state and federal levels. Up to 15 fellowships are offered each year to women who are committed to seeking positions in government or the Republican Party within five years of completing the program. The nine-month program includes monthly seminars on ethics, etiquette, effective speaking, organizing a winning campaign, and fundraising, as well as educational trips to Springfield and Washington DC.

For more information:
Jo Ellen Ridder, Executive Director
Illinois Lincoln Excellence in Public Service Series, Inc.
457 Lee Lane
Murphysboro, IL 62966
governors@lincolnseries.com
ed@lincolnseries.com
(618) 201-2231

Campaign Trainings (women and men)

Campaign Training
Sponsored by the Illinois Democratic County Chairmen's Association
The Illinois Democratic County Chairmen's Association holds half-day training programs for campaign workers, local candidates, and people who are politically engaged in preparation for general election campaigns. All participants must commit to helping to elect Democrats in the upcoming election.

For more information:
Scott Doubet
Illinois Democratic County Chairmen's Association
P. O. Box 3445
Springfield, IL 62708
info@ildcca.org
scott@ildcca.org
(217) 753-3380

Political Trainings
Sponsored by the Illinois Republican Party
The Illinois Republican Party holds campaign trainings for already-nominated Republican candidates once every two years to assist them in their general election campaigns.

For more information:
Illinois Republican Party
P.O. Box 78
Springfield, IL 62705
info@ilgop.org
(217) 525-0011

Leadership Training Programs for Women

Leadership Illinois
Established in 1988, Leadership Illinois is a professional network of women leaders from throughout the state. Class members participate in three multi-day conferences throughout the year-long program that focus on government, the individual, and the marketplace. Candidates for Leadership Illinois must demonstrate leadership achievements in the private, public or volunteer sectors of their communities.

For more information:
Kathy Sullivan, NEW Leadership Program Coordinator
NEW Leadership™ Illinois
The Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois
815 W. Van Buren, Suite 525
Chicago, IL 60607 MC-191
newl@uillinois.edu
(217) 300-2365

NEW Leadership™ Illinois
Sponsored by the Institute of Government and Public Affairs, University of Illinois at Chicago and the Conference of Women Legislators
The NEW Leadership™ summer institute is an intensive residential program that educates college women about politics and policy making and inspires them to get involved in the political process. During the six-day program selected students meet with women in a variety of roles in the public sphere, learn about women’s political participation, explore ideas about leadership and politics, and participate in hands-on skills building exercises. NEW Leadership™ Illinois is part of the NEW Leadership™ Development Network of the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University (NJ).

For more information:
Jim Paul
NEW Leadership™ Illinois
The Institute of Government and Public Affairs at
   the University of Illinois
815 W. Van Buren, Suite 525
Chicago, IL 60607 MC-191
jimpaul@uillinois.edu
(312) 996-6188

Leadership Training Programs (women and men)

Leadership Greater Chicago
Sponsored by the Leadership Institute
Established in 1985, Leadership Greater Chicago is a ten-month program for high-potential people in greater Chicago's companies, nonprofit organizations and government. Thirty-five Fellows are chosen annually to study key challenges facing the Chicago region while making lifelong connections with diverse leaders that help them advance professionally and in civic affairs. Fellows are typically sponsored and financially supported by their employers.

For more information:
Leadership Greater Chicago
Leadership Institute
223 North Michigan Ave
Suite 2420
Chicago, IL 60601
info@lgcchicago.org
(312) 565-0300

New Leaders Council Chicago
New Leaders Council (NLC) was formed in 2005 to train and support the next generation of progressive political entrepreneurs—young professionals in their twenties and thirties who are leading industries, setting trends, and building institutions that support robust civic and political life in a global America. NLC accomplishes this mission primarily through the NLC Institute - a political entrepreneurship training program held 10 days over a five-month period that builds local teams of young professionals in 19 cities across the nation. NLC Fellows learn entrepreneurship, leadership, and political management skills from over volunteer faculty from relevant industries. Fellows are also paired with career mentors, join a national alumni network, and agree to fundraise to support the next class of Fellows.

For more information:
Rachel Hoge, Director
Marquell Smith, Director
rhoge@newleaderscouncil.org
msmith@newleaderscoucil.org

Organizations Committed To Political Parity

Illinois Democratic Women
Founded in 1971 to work for more equitable representation and participation of Democratic women in all levels of the Democratic Party and at all levels of government, Illinois Democratic Women fulfills its mission through educational programs and fund-raising activities. The IDW provides free trainings for groups of women in Illinois upon request, covering topics such as field work, fundraising, communications, and vote-getting. These trainings are open to anyone who has demonstrated a committment to be active in politics.

For more information:
Pam Monetti, Co-President
Jill Morgenthaler, Co-President
Illinois Democratic Women
P. O. Box 195
Bunker Hill, IL 62014
info@illinoisdemocratwomen.org
Monetti@royell.org
(618) 444-2891

Illinois Federation of Republican Women
Through affiliate chapters in nearly every state, the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) promotes the principles, objectives and policies of the Republican Party; elects Republican candidates; informs the public through political education and activity; and increases the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government. In working toward these objectives, the NFRW concentrates its efforts in the areas of educating, communicating, recruiting, campaigning, fundraising, training and legislative action.
 
For more information:
Michelle Buckwalter-Schurman, President
Illinois Federation of Republican Women
Mt. Carroll
Michelle.b@ifrw.org
(815) 244-6619

Illinois NOW
Sponsored by the National Organization for Women
Founded in 1966, the National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest organization of feminist activists in the United States whose goal is to take action to bring about equality for all women. NOW is a multi-issue, multi-strategy organization that takes a holistic approach to women's rights. The organization's official priorities are winning economic equality and securing it with an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that will guarantee equal rights for women; championing abortion rights, reproductive freedom and other women's health issues; opposing racism and fighting bigotry against lesbians and gays; and ending violence against women. NOW has over 550 chapters in all 50 states that participate in education and advocacy activities. Information on state and local chapters of NOW is available on the national NOW website and through state chapters.

For more information:
Illinois National Organization for Women
P.O. Box 474
Springfield, IL 62705
illinoisnow@aol.com
(217) 503-0386

Gender Parity Legislation

Gender Balanced Appointments Act
The Gender Balanced Appointments Act establishes that all appointments to boards, commissions, committees and councils of the state be gender balanced to the extent possible. If balance is not possible, then significant representation is expected.

Women’s Legislative Caucuses

Illinois Council Of Women Legislators (COWL)
The Conference of Women Legislators (COWL) is a non-profit organization that encourages female legislators from both sides of the aisle to work in a bi-partisan fashion to advance the interest of all women, children and families through state, local and federal initiatives. The council serves as a forum for Illinois women legislators to join with colleagues in workshops and roundtables to discuss issues of concern in the state. Additionally, the council encourages leadership among Illinois women by supporting New Leadership™ Illinois, a leadership program for college women that is part of the NEW Leadership™ Development Network of the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University (NJ).

For more information:
Deborah Murphy, Executive Director
Illinois Council of Women Legislators (COWL)
P.O. Box 10161
Springfield, IL 62791
Cowl.ilga@yahoo.com  
(217) 725-4911