Democracy in Action

Mano a Mano Family Resource Center recognizes that advocacy on behalf of our community is an essential strategy for accomplishing our stated vision and mission. We acknowledge that influencing public policy, decision-making processes, and public sentiment are legal and powerful ways to advance the interests of our community and our organization.

DEMOCRACY IN ACTION

Democracy in Action (DIA) is a program within Mano a Mano Family Resource Center that focuses on engaging and uplifting the voices of the traditionally marginalized and underrepresented communities and mobilizing them to take action and do their civic duties.

As an organization, Mano a Mano seeks to be a thought leader in the state of Illinois on immigrant integration programming and policies.

We recognize that advocacy is not only limited to influencing legislation and policy but also includes building community awareness, educating the community and decision-makers, and elevating the voices of immigrant families in all forums.

We are part of state coalitions that continue to make Illinois the most welcoming state in the nation. We are a member organization of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) and Healthy Illinois Campaign.

2025 ICIRR Block, Bridge, Build Policy Platform

Mano a Mano Family Resource Center is a member organization of ICIRR. The Executive Director is ICIRR’s Board President and the Democracy in Action Coordinator sits on the ICIRR Action Council.

2025 ICIRR Block, Bridge, Build Policy Platform

The Democracy in Action (DIA) team has worked directly with community members, community leaders, and elected officials in North Chicago to help individuals become more involved in their local government.

Bringing awareness about the local elections

Most recently, DIA has focused on bringing awareness about the local elections in North Chicago on February 25, 2025 and April 1, 2025.

DIA-North-Chicago-Flyer-2025 Download

Spreading the word on the North Chicago School District Elected School Board

The North Chicago School District School Board has started to transition from appointed to an elected board. Three board members were elected on April 1, 2025. The remaining four will be elected in 2027.
Did you know that almost 70% of your property taxes go to schools?
This election means you or someone you know in your community can run and have a say in what happens in the school district!

DIA- 2025 Overall NC School Board Download

Spreading the word on the North Chicago School District Elected School Board

Conducted in August and September of 2023, the North Chicago community Survey and Environmental Scan explored the patterns of civic engagement in North Chicago, with a special lens on the local school system and how the hispanic community engages with community institutions.

The results are summarized in the following videos.

Voting is important; it’s our civic duty! Voting allows you to have a say in who is going to represent you and your community. Your vote is your voice! Mano a Mano wants to make sure that you have all the information you need to participate in your local, state, and federal elections.

Here are all the voter services available for you to vote:

Who can vote?

To Vote in Illinois:

You must be a United States Citizen.
You must be 18 years old. (17-year-olds may register and vote in primary elections if their 18th birthday occurs before the next General Consolidated or general election.)
You must live in your election precinct at least 30 days prior to Election Day.
You must not be serving a sentence of confinement in any penal institution as a result of a conviction.
You may not claim the right to vote anywhere else.

Mano a Mano has a new voter registration initiative. In an effort to increase our community’s voice and power, we are registering as many voters as we can from January to June of 2025. Go to bit.ly/Register2vote2025 for our help registering to vote. It’s fast and easy!

How to Vote?

By Mail
Voting by Mail is available to all registered voters. Your required electronic or paper ballot application must be received at the Lake County Clerk’s office by 5 PM on the Thursday before Election Day.

Your voted ballot must be hand delivered to the Lake County Clerk’s office or deposited in a Drop Box by 7 PM on Election Day. You may also return your ballot via mail with a postmark no later than 2 days before Election Day, and it must be received in the Lake County Clerk’s office by 5 PM, 2 weeks after election day. Complete an online ballot application or track the Lake County Clerk’s receipt of your voted ballot by logging onto LakeVoterPower.info.

Early

Use any site regardless of where you live in Lake County
Starts 40 days before Election Day only at the Lake County Clerk’s office. (25 days for a Consolidated Election if there is a primary)
Opens county-wide at designated locations 15 days before Election Day
Ends Monday before Election Day
Some locations offer evening and weekend hours
Grace Period Registration is available

On Election Day

Polls are open 6 AM to 7 PM
Use assigned neighborhood site serving your address – find assigned location.
Grace Registration is available for eligible unregistered voters only at assigned voting site.

Who’s on your Ballot?

If you want to be kept up to speed on elections, check out our Instagram @mamfrc_.

Stay tuned for updates to review your ballot on the Lake County Clerks Website.

What can I do if I can’t vote?

In the United States, if you are under 18 years old, are a noncitizen or have certain criminal history, you are not permitted to vote in elections. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t be civically engaged. Here are some ways for you to ensure that your voice is heard besides voting:

Keep up to date with politics, educate yourself, and figure out what your beliefs are!
Volunteering with nonprofit organizations such as Mano a Mano Family Resource Center. (See our opportunity below!)
Make sure your friends and family that can vote, do vote. Let them know how important it is to go to the polls!
If you have a candidate that you support, volunteer to work on their campaign! This is an effective way to get involved and help get the candidate you want to represent you elected.
Make use of public forums such as Facebook and Instagram, your local newsletters, and more! That is a great place to share what you believe in and spread awareness.

Why do elections matter?

You may be thinking to yourself.
Why do elections matter?
Why should I take time out of my day to vote?
How important could voting in elections really be?

If you are asking yourself any of these questions, we want to give you a few reasons why elections are important!

Elections are a pillar of democracy, and our country was built on these pillars!
Elections let us choose who we think is best to make decisions on our behalf.
Allows citizens to influence public policy.
Not everyone has the opportunity to protest and organize, but most people can use elections to demonstrate their values!

If you have any further questions regarding voting in Lake County, please visit the Lake County Clerk’s Website or contact.

Designed and hosted by Mano a Mano, the Lake County Liderazgo Initiative is the first leadership development of its kind focused on cultivating the talent, minds, and networks of emerging leaders of Latino communities in Lake County. The mission of Liderazgo is to provide a forum in which these leaders will build their capacity and understanding of policy and community issues, define and develop their leadership styles, and connect with other civic leaders. Our vision is that over the long-term, our community will benefit from increased participation of Latinos and their allies in leadership roles in Lake County.

The three day seminar includes presentations from leaders from across the state, who speak on topics such as leadership development and social, economic, and political issues. The seminar focuses on leadership development and capacity building from a Latino/a and people of color perspective and how to elevate Latino voices in policy and community forums. Liderazgo also focuses on informing Liderazgo Fellows and engages in conversation on the structural inequalities that Latino communities are currently facing.