Adopt-A-District grassroots activist training

Concerned citizens can learn how to make a difference in state government by attending "Adopt-A-District" grassroots activist training next week at the Palatine Public Library. 

The training will be from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21. It is free and open to the public. 

The training is sponsored by the nonpartisan government watchdog the Illinois Policy Institute and the Palatine Tea Party. The training session will be lead by the Institute's Director of Outreach, Brian Costin, who will teach citizens how to follow state issues and how to encourage elected officials to bring balance to the policy decisions they make every day. At the Adopt-A-District training, Costin will address the following topics: 

• Legislator vote card: identifying good lawmakers
• The political vise: a strategy for legislative success
• Understanding the legislature and how a bill becomes law
• How to successfully interact with legislators and their staff
• Top 10 tips for a successful statehouse/legislator visit
• Persuading the public through letters to the editor
• Stepping up: preparing the next generation of leaders in Illinois

All participants will receive a copy of the Illinois Policy Institute's 2011-12 "Legislators' Guide to the Issues," the 2011 Illinois Legislators' Vote Card, Illinois Handbook on Government and more. 

To register for the training event, visit: www.illinoispolicy.org/events. The Palatine Public Library is at 700 N. North Court, Palatine. 

The Illinois Policy Institute is a nonpartisan research and education organization dedicated to making Illinois a beacon for liberty and prosperity for all citizens. As a leading voice for economic liberty and government accountability, the Institute engages policy makers, opinion leaders and citizens on the state and local level by promoting free market principles and liberty-based public policy initiatives for a better Illinois. To learn more about the Institute or review policy briefs, please visit: www.illinoispolicy.org