Illinois Green Party Implements a Dues Based Membership System

From its inception in 1999, the Illinois Green Party, like the national party, has always prided itself in refusing any and all corporate money. This core value, which separates Greens from the two corporate-sponsored parties, is due in part to the Ten Key Values on which our party is based The Green Party and its candidates will never “sell out” the people or planet, because we cannot be bought.

As a state party, we are committed to building an Illinois that will end all forms of discrimination and oppression, provide quality healthcare for all, full access to quality education by all, a living wage for all workers, and a transition to a ecologically sustainable society. Because of our commitment to people powered politics, we have to rely on our supporters to spread our message and grow a truly alternative political power in Illinois. We have tried various methods of fundraising, with varying degrees of success, but the present donation model is not sustaining basic party infrastructure as was hoped. Many of you receiving this message have donated in the past, and we are very thankful for that support. At a recent Membership Meeting, the party decided that the time has come to turn back to a tried-and-true method of fundraising that working-class organizations have used for generations: Asking all members to pay dues, as a duty and responsibility of membership.

Dues are a fair method of sharing the financial burden. As a member of the Green Party, you have the right to participate in its deliberations, reach consensus or cast a vote on the decisions of a democratic organization, represent yourself to the public or in other groups as a Green and perhaps run for office as a Green. You can have pride in belonging to a principled political party that is genuinely trying to build a better world.

But with rights come responsibilities. And we are asking you, right now, to please make a modest financial commitment – and put your money where your values are.

Effective January 1st, 2019, to be considered a member of the Illinois Green Party, with all of the rights of membership, you will need to start paying dues. The membership strove to ensure that the base level of dues remained reasonable and accessible. The standard dues rate is $60 a year. If you are a low-income person, such that $60 would present a real hardship, you can elect to pay our low-income rate of just $12 a year. On the other hand, if you are earning enough money that you can help out a little more, we ask you to consider being a sponsoring member by paying at least $120 a year, or at least $10 a month. (Due to the fees charged for online donations, we request that those paying online pay by the month only if your monthly donation is $10 or greater.)

Please help build a stronger, more effective Illinois Green Party by paying your dues right away. You can pay online, at the annual or monthly rate, on our website. If you would prefer paying by check, you can remit your payment to the “Illinois Green Party” by sending it to: 213 S. Wheaton Ave. Wheaton, IL 60187.

If you have any questions about our new dues-based membership system, you can send your questions to “chair@ilgp.org.” Thank you for re-committing yourself to the one and only political party that can actually build a healthy, life-affirming, democratic society.

For a better future,

The Illinois Green Party