SPEAK Des Plaines

Supporting Positive Efforts of Action and Knowledge

SPEAK Des Plaines is an anti-racist nonpartisan community group and open to anyone who wants to work together toward our mission regardless of race, religion, age, ability, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or political beliefs.

The goals of SPEAK Des Plaines include

• Keep community members informed of current events
• Engage our diverse residents in local elections and city government happenings
• Facilitate solutions to important issues

Past and current initiatives

• After witnessing the nationwide protests for police reform and racial justice, we contacted city officials and the Des Plaines Police Department regarding transparency, training, and accountability; in response, the police department published the DPPD Commitment to Community webpage.

• With community concerns about how to safely and effectively vote in the November election during the COVID-19 pandemic, we launched voter information campaigns throughout Des Plaines with guidance on requesting/tracking/submitting mail ballots, early voting dates and locations, and voter registration.

• In honor of the late Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg we organized a public demonstration to encourage others to speak up, vote, and dissent.

• With cooperation from Maine West High School’s faculty, we have engaged students in canvassing neighborhoods with voter registration information, and have plans to further involve these active young residents in the future.

• We assisted Reclaim the Northwest Suburbs in creating an educational, virtual event about racism in the suburbs.

• In partnership with Maine West High School’s students, faculty, and Maine Westerner student newspaper, we have published local candidate interviews so that residents can be informed for the local April 6, 2021 election.

• We have collaborated with the city of Des Plaines to launch the #ShopDesPlaines campaign to support our local businesses which have been affected by the ongoing pandemic.

• In further partnerships with Maine West High School, we have collaborated on government class presentations, partnered with the GSA, and have worked with other school-based organizations for educational and volunteer opportunities.

• In collaboration with Maine West’s GSA we organized an all-ages Pride event for students, families, and people of all ages to share resources and celebrate.

We are looking for input and engagement from Des Plaines residents and stakeholders to build a stronger community. Please take this brief survey to let us know what matters to you and what changes you would like to see.