Libertarian Party of Illinois 2009 Convention
As always, the LP Illinois Convention will be a jam-packed weekend of inspiration, education, participation, and fun. The theme this year is "Don't Tread on Me".
The Convention was hosted October 23-25 at the Doubletree Hotel, 1000 Eastport Plaza Drive in Collinsville (near St. Louis).
Convention Agenda
The full convention program is now available. Download the program (pdf).
Friday night will kickoff at 6 p.m. with a Halloween theme, featuring hors d'oeuvres, socializing, and a cash bar. One of the most important aspects of our Convention is the opportunity to meet and network with other members, and share new ideas and libertarian strategies.
On Saturday, workshops are provided for activists who want to rev up their involvement in the liberty movement:
- How to Build Your Libertarian Group in a 21st Century Way with Dave Brady
- Raising an Informed Citizenry and Educated Electorate with Jan Stover
- The Importance of Austrian Economics in the Modern Libertarian Movement with Josh Hanson
- Advancing Liberty with Responsibility by Promoting Market Solutions with Dave Roland
- Living the Principles of Freedom with Mark McCoy
- Public Speaking with the Toastmasters
Our lunch speaker will be Ken Krawchuk, who is a leader at the state and local levels of the Pennsylvania LP. Ken was involved with challenging and successfully changing unfair ballot access laws in Pennsylvania. Ken can also share his extensive election experience with convention attendees, having campaigned for Township Commissioner, State Representative, US Congress, and Governor. His presentation is titled “The Nuts and Bolts of Political Activism."
After lunch all Libertarian candidates are invited to speak at our Candidates' Forum. This is your opportunity to get to know our potential candidates for public office and ask questions in preparation for the elections on Sunday.
Libertarian Jeopardy will return this year as our members are pitted against each other for the title of LP Illinois Libertarian Jeopardy Champion.
Who will be crowned Jeopardy Champion this year? You'll have to be there to root for the contestants and find out.
Saturday night's main event is a banquet with your choice of chicken, steak, pork, or vegetarian dishes.
Our speaker for the evening is Sharon Harris, President of the Advocates for Self-Government. In addition to her fantastic work for The Advocates, Sharon also has the honor of being a very successful Libertarian candidate—she received over 300,000 votes in her race for Georgia Commissioner
of Agriculture. Sharon's presentation is titled "The Answer is...Less Government."
The Advocates for Self-Government is an outstanding libertarian educational organization. You can find out more about them at TheAdvocates.org.
The banquet will be bracketed by silent and live auctions of products and services. This is one of our main fundraising activities and you can make it successful by donating to the cause.
Donations can be almost anything you think other libertarians would value. Past donations have ranged from baked goods to gold coins, from restaurant and hotel gift certificates to professional services.
All donations are gratefully accepted at the door, but we do appreciate advance notice to help us organize. So, please send an email regarding any donations you plan to bring to gro.sionillIPL@noitnevnoC.
Saturday night we also give awards to those who have provided exceptional service to advancing liberty in Illinois. If you would like to nominate an outstanding Illinois Libertarian, call State Chair Val Vetter at 800-735-1776.
Business Meeting
On Sunday we have our annual business meeting, which will include:
Officer reports - Including those from the State Chair, Membership Chair, and Treasurer.- Officer elections - We will fill open officer positions, including those filled by interim officers. Please consider becoming a liberty leader in Illinois by volunteering for one of these vital roles in our Party. Call State Chair Val Vetter at 800-735-1776 for more information.
- State-wide candidate elections - We will select our candidates for Illinois Governor, Lt. Governor, Treasurer, Comptroller, Secretary of State, and Attorney General, as well as US Senate. If you would like to be one of them, contact our Campaigns chair, gro.sionillIPL@sngiapmaC.
- Bylaw changes - LP Illinois members can vote on proposed changes to the Libertarian Party of Illinois Bylaws (pdf). Download the bylaw changes proposed (pdf).
- Delegate selection for the Libertarian Party 2010 National Convention. It's your chance to represent Illinois on the national stage.
All members of the Party are welcome to attend the Business Meeting free of charge. However, you must be an LP Illinois member by September 25th, 2009 to be eligible to vote. If you are unsure of your membership status, email gro.sionillIPL@pihsrebmeM.
Download the Convention Rules (pdf) for more details about the Business Meeting, including requirements for statewide candidates.
The business meeting will be followed by a short State Organizing Committee meeting, so the new officers and chapter representatives can get moving on any urgent issues.
Convention Packages & Registration
Sign up online for the LP Illinois Convention with the package option that best fits your interests and budget.
- Platinum - SOLD OUT: This exclusive package includes all meals*, workshops, speakers, and events, plus reserved seating at the keynote speaker's table for Saturday's banquet. Last year, these packages sold out, so register now if you would like one.
Gold $170:
Our most popular package includes all meals*, workshops, speakers, and events. - Bronze $95: This thrifty package gets you in to all workshops, speakers, and events, including the Friday night party. The catch is that you are on your own for meals.
* The options for Saturday's banquet are chicken, pork, steak, or vegetarian. Please note your choice with your registration.
In addition to registering online, you can also register by mail with a check. Download our Convention 2009 flyer for the registration form.
Can't stay the whole weekend? Ala-carte meal pricing is now available. Download the price list. Register for individual meals at the Convention.
More Information
The 2009 Convention Committee is hard at work to provide you with a terrific weekend to share with your fellow libertarians. 
If you would like to provide your help to the committee or have any questions, email Val Vetter at gro.sionillIPL@noitnevnoC.
Otherwise, register today and join in the fun from October 23-25 as we celebrate and accelerate the liberty movement in Illinois.
