SPEAK Des Plaines

10/15/2026

Join this event tomorrow night!

🎥🍿Indivisible Des Plaines invites all of our friends and neighbors to a FREE movie night celebrating the American voter on Friday, October 16th at 7pm at the Des Plaines Public Library. 🎥🍿

🍿Where were you 10 years ago? How did you vote? One Vote is a documentary of five individuals from the US casting their vote on Election Day. The film captures the personal stories of diverse American voters.

🍿One Vote is non-partisan and appropriate for all ages. Snacks will be provided & a short discussion will follow the movie.
Click the link to register ⬇️

Movie Night: Celebrate the Vote · Mobilize https://share.google/hRz5jrzs6S1ctEF9k

10/14/2026

Get ready to vote--check the judges on your ballot! ✅

Injustice Watch's guide to the November 2026 Cook County judicial elections.

10/07/2026

Attend this free educational event this Thursday!

The Illinois Coalition for Refugee Rights is hosting a special "Immigration: Fact vs. Fiction" free educational event on Thursday, October 8th from 7:00 to 8:00pm at the Park Ridge Public Library (20 S. Prospect Ave, Park Ridge). This event will be hosted both in-person and online via Zoom (https://bit.ly/4xFx3w3).

10/07/2026

The city is about to start their budget meetings--the first one is this week! Read the proposed 2027 budget, reach out to your alderperson with questions or comments, and/or attend the meetings.

Meetings are scheduled for:
Thursday, October 8
Thursday, October 22
If needed: Wednesday, October 28

Review the budget documents: desplainesil.gov/budget
Stream the meetings online: desplainesil.gov/livestream
Find the meeting agendas: desplainesil.gov/agendas

We are one week out from the start of several special City Council meetings to discuss the proposed budget for the 2027 fiscal year. All meetings will take place in City Hall Council Chambers (1420 Miner Street) and are open to the public.

Meetings are scheduled for:
Thursday, October 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 22 at 6 p.m.
If needed: Wednesday, October 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Review the budget documents: desplainesil.gov/budget
Stream the meetings online: desplainesil.gov/livestream
Find the meeting agendas: desplainesil.gov/agendas

10/03/2026

Register for the Power of PFLAG Conference at https://tinyurl.com/pflagil26
Saturday, October 10, NIU Naperville Conference Center.
It will be a full-day event with many educational presentations and panels, plenty of time for networking and making new friends, and breakfast and lunch included. Register now!

09/30/2026

Pride Bites Intergenerational Event on Wednesday, October 7th.
Center of Concern, Oakton College, Gerber/Hart, and AgeOptions Thrive With Pride are hosting an intergenerational discussion and LGBTQIA+ history lesson on Wednesday, October 7th from 12:30 to 2:30pm at Oakton College (1600 E. Golf Road, Room 1506, Des Plaines). RSVP online or call 847-823-0453. Learn more and RSVP at centerofconcern.org/older-adult-services/

09/27/2026

Get a free flu vaccine at the library on October 13th!

09/25/2026

The Illinois Coalition for Refugee Rights is hosting a special "Immigration: Fact vs. Fiction" free educational event on Thursday, October 8th from 7:00 to 8:00pm at the Park Ridge Public Library (20 S. Prospect Ave, Park Ridge). This event will be hosted both in-person and online via Zoom (https://bit.ly/4xFx3w3).

08/25/2026

Join the conversation at this local community event. The panel discussion will be moderated by Illinois State Representative Michelle Mussman, virtual opening remarks from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, and will feature panelist speakers Danita Childers, Executive Director, Housing Authority of Cook County; Dr. Kiran Joshi, Chief Operating Officer, Cook County Department of Public Health; John F. Schomberg, Assistant Secretary for Programs, Illinois Department of Human Services; and Diane Slezak, President and CEO, AgeOptions.

The Growing Gap: Cost of Living and Community Needs
Monday, September 14th
Des Plaines Theatre
Ticket price: Donate what you can

Learn more and RSVP at centerofconcern.org/needs

You are invited to join us to learn how you can help while enjoying an evening of appetizers, cocktails, networking, panel discussion, and awards ceremony.

The Growing Gap: Cost of Living and Community Needs
Monday, September 14, 2026
5:30pm Networking and Appetizers
6:30pm Program Start

Des Plaines Theatre
1476 Miner Street
Des Plaines, IL 60016

Learn more, make a donation, and RSVP at buff.ly/yYSkKzT

07/08/2026

SNAP Information Session - Free community education event!

TOMORROW: Thursday, July 9th from 6:30-7:30pm
In-person at the Des Plaines Public Library or virtually Zoom

New federal rules for SNAP will impact millions of Illinois residents. Join this hybrid education event to learn how these change affect you, your family, and your community. Hosted by SPEAK Des Plaines in partnership with Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Join us in-person at the library or sign up for the webinar at http://tinyurl.com/SPEAKDesPlainesSNAP