What's Up Team Illinois! Happy New Year! We're so excited to be kicking off 2021 with a dope new project, a monthly newsletter! Every month you'll get an inside look at what's going on inside March For Our Lives Illinois - our projects, campaigns, events, goals, staff, and stories. Sounds cool, right? We think so. We've got a lot planned for 2021, and we hope we can count on you to join us... SO - lets get started!

Meet Our Chapters 

Our chapter network is constantly expanding across the state, and we want to do just that in 2021. Here's a list of our existing chapters, you'll meet the leads in some upcoming newsletter additions. Here They Are:

• Chicago
• Des Plaines
• Naperville
• North Shore 
• Walter Payton College Prep
• Lane Tech
• Palatine

Interested in joining a chapter? Email us at [email protected]

Start  A Chapter Today - email us at [email protected]

Upcoming Events

MFOL North Shore: January 8th, 2:00-3:00 PM. Join Leaders from March For Our Lives North Shore with Congressman Brad Schneider for a live Q&A session via zoom. Topics of discussion include gun violence prevention, youth civic engagement, and COVID-19. Register Here: http://tinyurl.com/mfolnorthshore

MFOL Palatine and MFOL Des Plaines are working together to organize a coat and care kit drive. Stay tuned to social media and your email to find out how you can support this project.

MFOL Illinois: Where To Now? Our State Organizing Team is at work planning a post election digital hub. We're creating a virtual space to discuss the direction we ar heading in as a country, and we want you to join us. Stay tuned to social media and your email for an official date and how to register. 

MFOL Illinois: Virtual Hubs! The State Organizing Team is planning a series of virtual hubs on zoom, where we can host trainings, team building activities, games, concerts, discussions, and more. What do YOU want to see featured? Let Us Know: [email protected] or find us on social media. 

Legislation

As we all know, the events that have unfolded in our Nations capitol during the last few days were horrific. As organizers, its definitely something that we take to heart, and we know our community does as well. We want to begin by saying - we're here for you. Take the time you need, breathe, and go for a walk (don't forget your mask!). It's a really challenging time for everyone. March For Our Lives has mental health resources available at marchforourlives.com/mental-health . 

With that being said, we can't lose hope. Email your representatives and explain your feelings about what happened. As students, we understand how our elected officials felt. We've been trained for active shooters at school as long as we can remember. We were taught how to lock the doors in kindergarden, how to turn of the lights and not make a sound as we huddled together in the corner, often not sure if this was a drill or if it really might be what we had practiced for our whole lives. It's time to step up - to demand change. 

Connect With Us!

Instagram: @MFOLillinois

Twitter: @MFOLILLINOIS

Website: marchforourlivesIL.com

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]