July 7, Tuesdays with Team Todd

Firsts.

This campaign has brought so many personal firsts into my life, and it has been an amazing and profound journey already.

The very first was taking a deep breath in January 2025 and hitting send on an email announcing my intent to challenge Mary Miller.

I just jumped in with $200 and a Google Search on who to send that email to because no one had stepped up to run against her in 2024.

I knew this would be a long road, but I also knew the people of IL-15 deserved a choice.

Since then, every conversation across our 35 counties has reminded me why I took that first step.

And now, because of every one of you reading this email, I am excited to share some amazing firsts happening in this campaign. 

• This past weekend, I became the first congressional candidate (including sitting members of Congress) ever to march in the Sullivan Fourth of July Parade.

• With so many volunteers stepping up every week, we are excited to be holding our first Phone Bank Manager Training on July 14th.

• Expanding our voter outreach with our blast texts going out to reach voters across the district, allowing us to share our message with even more people across our 17,000 square miles. 

• This Saturday, we will hold our first Day of Action in Decatur, bringing supporters together to meet voters where they are, hear what matters most to them, and continue building the relationships that will win this election. 

• And because of your donations, we were able to hire our first organizer, Tabitha Carden, who is already helping us grow our volunteer teams and strengthen this campaign across IL-15.

Tabitha is based in Jacksonville, in Morgan County, and she is already helping us grow this campaign across the district. You'll be hearing more from her soon.

Keep scrolling to see some of the incredible work already happening, upcoming events, and more ways to get involved. Our July calendar is full, and we're adding more opportunities across the district for August and September every day.

Fundraising firsts!

While we're still waiting for the final numbers, we already know this campaign has raised more at this point in the election cycle than any candidate who has challenged Mary Miller before.

That happened because this campaign has always been powered by people, not special interests.

Like many of you reading this, I'm not a millionaire. I'm not self-funding this campaign or relying on wealthy donors to decide this race.

Grassroots campaigns are powered by grassroots donors.

Every contribution is a reminder that this campaign belongs to the people of IL-15.

I'm asking you today to please make a contribution and help us create the next first together.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Jennifer

P.S.  Tomorrow's Volunteer Meeting and so much happening in July! Keep scrolling and find out about our fundraising events, meet and greets, and volunteer opportunities! 

Fundraisers, Meet & Greets, Jennifer in your Neighborhood!

JULY

TOMORROW: July 8
Worden Meet and Greet for Jennifer Todd, RSVP here!
Hosted by Macoupin County Action Alliance
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Sons of the American Legion, Post 564, 237 W Wall St, Worden

July 9
Quincy: Jennifer will be speaking
Adams County Democratic Party- Summer Cookout
5:00 – 7:00 PM
Machinists Lodge #822, 2929 N 5th Street, Quincy, IL

July 10
Forsyth Meet-and-Greet for Jennifer, RSVP and donate here
Hosted by Scarlett Wells
4:00 – 7:00 PM
The Fabric Cobbler, 324 E Ruehl St, Forsyth, IL 

***********
July 11 
Decatur Canvassing Day of Action with Jennifer 
Sign up here!
10:00 - 2:00 PM
Kick-off at Painters and Glaziers Union, 4 W Cerro Gordo St Decatur
***********

July 18
Decatur: Jennifer Todd Meet-and-Greet
Hosted by The Macon County Committee to Elect Jennifer Todd RSVP here!
2:00 – 4:00 pm
Decatur Public Library, 130 N Franklin St, Decatur

July 21
Paris: Democrat Day at the Edgar County Fair
Edgar County Fairgrounds - 1104 N Main St, Paris 

July 21
Paris: Fundraiser for Jennifer Todd
Hosted by The Edgar County Democratic Boosters
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Contact: ecdpboosters@gmail.com

July 25
Arcola: Fundraiser for Jennifer Todd RSVP here
Hosted by the Douglas County Democratic Women
12:30 – 3:00 pm
Arcola Masonic Community Center, 111 South Locust Street, Arcola

For Even More Events in July, Check Out Our Events Page! 

For Even More Events, Check Out Our Events Page! 

Bi-Weekly Wednesday Zooms at Noon 

Our bi-weekly volunteer meetings are where volunteers hear campaign updates, share progress on projects, and connect with other supporters who are helping build this campaign across the district.

📅 Wednesday, July 8
⏰ Noon
💻 Via Zoom

If you're already registered, we'll see you there. If not, we'd love to have you join us.

Join our Zooms at Noon!

Can't make the meeting? There are still plenty of ways to get involved.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Phone Banking - at your convenience

• Canvassing - talk to your neighbors

• Meet & Greets - introduce Jennifer to your neighbors

• Driving & Event Staffing - help Jennifer make the most of her time

• Data Work - always needed

• Community Organizing

This is how we win:
Working together to defeat Mary Miller as a united community!

Canvass: Get started in your neighborhood today!

Canvassing has a long tradition in Illinois politics. It’s how campaigns get the win. They do the work, face to face, door to door, in neighborhoods across the state.

It matters even more in this race.

Because while we are out talking with voters where they live, Mary Miller refuses to meet her constituents: no town halls, no real presence in her district, not even in their neighborhoods.

We’re doing the opposite. We show up. We listen. We meet people where they are.

We know you are as invested in this win as we are.
Help build this campaign; join us to canvass. 
Every door matters.

Canvas for Team Todd

Weekly Phone Banking - Mondays 

We know this works.

Every call helps us identify supporters, persuade undecided voters, recruit volunteers, and build the grassroots operation needed to win.

Now we do it again, earlier, stronger, and with even more people involved.

In a race like this, and in a cycle where Democrats are winning in places many thought were out of reach, we win by talking to voters Mary Miller will never reach.

Join us on Monday nights or make calls whenever it works for your schedule.

Even one shift matters.

We can win this race, but only if we outwork and out-organize every week between now and Election Day.

Join Jennifer's Weekly Phone Bank

Together, we're building the campaign that can flip IL-15.
Thank you for everything you're doing to elect Jennifer Todd. 

In Case You Missed It
Jennifer's 4th of July Message

Today marks 250 years since the birth of our nation and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

It’s a day to celebrate our communities, our freedoms, and the generations of Americans who have built this country into what it is today.

The promise of America has never been that we’re perfect

It’s that every generation has a responsibility to keep working toward the ideals our country was founded on: freedom, opportunity, fairness, and a government that listens to the people it serves.

Those ideals are as urgent today as ever.

Representation isn’t just about holding office. It’s about showing up, listening, and real representation for all.

As a nurse, a mom, and someone who has spent this campaign listening to families across all 35 counties of IL-15, I know people want leaders who show up, solve problems, and represent everyone, not just those already at the table.

Today, I hope you enjoy time with family, friends, and neighbors. Celebrate what brings us together and reflect on the freedoms we share.

And in the weeks ahead, I’ll keep traveling across IL-15, listening, and working to earn your support.

Happy Fourth of July!

Jennifer

June 30, Tuesdays with Team Todd

Because of you, we're about to have an incredible end of quarter.
Now we're down to the final hours until the deadline at midnight.

We only need $1,215 to reach our June 30 fundraising goal before midnight tonight.

Every contribution helps us build the campaign it will take to defeat Mary Miller.

She's making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Voting to cut funding families, seniors, veterans, and rural hospitals depend on.
Using divisive, extreme rhetoric that pulls people apart instead of helping our communities. 

This district deserves a representative who fights for us, not for political headlines.

I’ve always believed in showing up.
And that’s exactly what we’re going to keep doing.
Showing up in every corner of this district.

Listening.
Organizing.
Earning trust.

With your help.

If you believe it’s time for trust, accountability, and real leadership in the 15th District, please make a contribution before midnight tonight.

Help us reach our goal by midnight!

Thank you for believing in this campaign and for standing with me.

Jennifer
P.S. The work doesn’t stop tomorrow. In many ways, we’re just getting started. July means more listening tour stops, more county fairs, more community events, and more conversations across all 35 counties.

Volunteering is in full swing, too.

Scroll down for details on how to get involved and join Jennifer on the road through July!

Join our Growing Volunteer Community

Team Todd Bi-Weekly Volunteer Zoom 
Next meeting: Wednesday, July 8 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Register now to join our next meeting!

Join Our Volunteer Community!

Phone Bank

Every Monday | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Phone Bank with Jennifer, Matt, and Team Todd
Join us each week as we connect directly with voters across the district.

Phone Bank w Team Todd!

Canvass your community: Reach out to Tabitha at volunteersforjentodd@gmail.com
And you can canvass at your convenience!

Canvass

Decatur Canvassing Day of Action with Jennifer 
Saturday July 11, 10:00 - 2:00 PM
Kick-off at Painters and Glaziers Union, 4 W Cerro Gordo St, Decatur, IL 62522 

Canvass for Jennifer!

Canvass your community: Reach out to Tabitha at volunteersforjentodd@gmail.com
And you can canvass at your convenience!

Schedule a Canvassing Day of Action with your organization, neighbors, or other Team Todd volunteers! 

Fundraisers, Meet & Greets, Jennifer in your Neighborhood!

Join Jennifer at one of these events across the district or support this campaign where you can.

JULY

July 4
12:00 PM - Moultrie County 4th of July Parade, Sullivan
3:00 PM - New Berlin 4th of July Celebration, North Park

July 8
Worden Meet and Greet for Jennifer Todd, RSVP here!
Hosted by Macoupin County Action Alliance
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Sons of the American Legion, Post 564, 237 W Wall St, Worden

July 9
Quincy: Jennifer will be speaking
Adams County Democratic Party- Summer Cookout
5:00 – 7:00 PM
Machinists Lodge #822, 2929 N 5th Street, Quincy, IL

July 10

Forsyth Meet-and-Greet for Jennifer, RSVP and donate here
Hosted by Scarlett Wells
4:00 – 7:00 PM
The Fabric Cobbler, 324 E Ruehl St, Forsyth, IL 

July 11 
Decatur Canvassing Day of Action with Jennifer Sign up here!
10:00 - 2:00 PM
Kick-off at Painters and Glaziers Union, 4 W Cerro Gordo St Decatur

July 18
Decatur: Jennifer Todd Meet-and-Greet
Hosted by The Macon County Committee to Elect Jennifer Todd RSVP here!
2:00 – 4:00 pm
Decatur Public Library, 130 N Franklin St, Decatur

July 21
Paris: Democrat Day at the Edgar County Fair
Edgar County Fairgrounds - 1104 N Main St, Paris 

July 21
Paris: Fundraiser for Jennifer Todd
Hosted by The Edgar County Democratic Boosters
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Contact: ecdpboosters@gmail.com

July 25
Arcola: Fundraiser for Jennifer Todd RSVP here
Hosted by the Douglas County Democratic Women
12:30 – 3:00 pm
Arcola Masonic Community Center, 111 South Locust Street, Arcola

For Even More Events in July, Check Out Our Events Page! 

Jennifer in Charleston

June 23, Tuesdays with Team Todd

Mary Miller is talking about Chicago. Again.
She’s not talking about the rural towns and working communities that make up IL-15.

She’s not talking about Nokomis.
Or Greenview.
Or Champaign.
Or Macomb.

What I see instead is manufactured outrage meant to distract.

Manufactured outrage is what politicians create when they don't want to talk about the issues people actually face.

And it shows up the same way, over and over:

Outrage about things that don’t move the needle for families here.
Outrage that creates division instead of solving problems.
Outrage that avoids the actual work of representing people.

Because when you look past the headlines, here’s what’s missing:

No town halls.
No real meetings with constituents.

That gap matters. Because when representation disappears, manufactured outrage fills the space.

And manufactured outrage isn’t harmless noise.
It has consequences.

While the manufactured outrage continues, people here are dealing with the real world.

In Nokomis, Greenview, Champaign, Carlin, and across IL-15, I hear about:

Affordability.
Farmers trying to stay afloat.
Public schools stretched too thin.
Healthcare systems under pressure.

This is what deserves attention.

I have been showing up.
I’ve been listening.
I’ve been answering the phone.

And I will continue to do that for every person in this district, whether they support me or not.

I will hold office hours.
I will hold town halls.
And I will answer the phone.

That’s what representation should look like.

As we approach our end-of-quarter deadline, the reality is simple: hundreds of thousands of dollars are flowing into Mary Miller’s already well-funded campaign.

From political allies and donors who are nothing like the people of this district.
Like Mary, many of those friends and supporters are millionaires.
I’m not.

We are working families, farmers, nurses, teachers, and small business owners.
People doing their best to keep up and take care of each other.

This campaign is built differently: one conversation, one door, one contribution at a time.

While others invest in manufactured outrage, we’re investing in showing up.

Right now, we need to raise $12,435 before midnight on June 30 to stay on track.

That’s next Tuesday at midnight.
If you’re able, you can help here:

Donate Today!

Even $15 (for the 15th District) or $35 (for the 35 counties) makes a real difference when it comes from someone in this district who believes we deserve better.

Manufactured outrage is destructive because it replaces progress with performance.

It turns attention away from real problems and real people.
And in a district like ours, that cost is too high.

Thank you for being part of this,
Jennifer

P.S. Every contribution to this campaign represents someone choosing substance over distraction and community over manufactured outrage. If you can help before my June 30 midnight deadline, your support will help us keep reaching voters across all 35 counties of IL-15. 

P.S.S. End of quarter events, July events, Tomorrow's Volunteer Meeting and more below! 

Fundraisers, Meet & Greets, Jennifer in your Neighborhood!

You can help us meet our critical June 30 midnight deadline!
Join Jennifer at one of these events across the district or support this campaign where you can.

Scroll down for photos from Montgomery County Indivisible's Highly Successful Fundraiser for Jennifer! 

June 25
Morgan County Democrats Annual Garden Party - Donate to Jennifer Here
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
1036 Grove St, Jacksonville, IL 

June 27
Jacksonville Fundraiser for Jennifer - RSVP here!
Hosted by Jacksonville Indivisible
3:00 - 6:00 PM
Soap Co Coffee | 207 South Sandy Street, Jacksonville, IL

June 30
End-of-Quarter Fundraising Deadline

JULY

July 9
Don't Miss Jennifer in Quincy - RSVP here.
Adams County Democratic Party- Summer Cookout
5:00 – 7:00 PM
Machinists Lodge #822, 2929 N 5th Street, Quincy, IL

July 10
Forsyth Meet-and-Greet, RSVP and donate here
Hosted by Scarlett Wells
4:00 – 7:00 PM
The Fabric Cobbler, 324 E Ruehl St, Forsyth, IL 

July 11
Join Jennifer Canvassing in Decatur. Sign up here!
10:00 - 2:00 PM
Kick-off at Painters and Glaziers Union, 4 W Cerro Gordo St, Decatur, IL 62522 

July 12
Mason City Meet-and-Greet RSVP here.
Hosted by The Mason County Democrats
3:00 pm start time
Mason City Reimagine Coffee House
104 East Chestnut Street, Mason City

July 18
Macon County Meet-and-Greet RSVP here!
Hosted by The Macon County Committee to Elect Jennifer Todd
2:00 – 4:00 PM
Decatur Public Library, 130 N Franklin St, Decatur, IL 62523, USA

For Even More Events in July, Check Out Our Events Page! 

And don’t forget:

Every Monday | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Phone Bank with Jennifer and Team Todd
Join us each week as we connect directly with voters across the district. Join here.

TOMORROW!

Bi-Weekly Wednesday Zooms at Noon 

Our bi-weekly volunteer meetings are where volunteers hear campaign updates, share progress on projects, and connect with other supporters who are helping build this campaign across the district.

📅 Wednesday, June 24
⏰ Noon
💻 Via Zoom

If you're already registered, we'll see you there. If not, we'd love to have you join us.

Join our Zooms at Noon!

Can't make the meeting? There are still plenty of ways to get involved.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Phone Banking - at your convenience

• Canvassing - talk to your neighbors

• Meet & Greets - introduce Jennifer to your neighbors

• Driving & Event Staffing - help Jennifer make the most of her time

• Data Work - always needed

• Community Organizing

This is how we win:
Working together to defeat Mary Miller as a united community!

Canvass: Get started in your neighborhood today!

Canvassing has a long tradition in Illinois politics. It’s how campaigns get the win. They do the work, face to face, door to door, in neighborhoods across the state.

It matters even more in this race.

Because while we are out talking with voters where they live, Mary Miller refuses to meet her constituents: no town halls, no real presence in her district, not even in their neighborhoods.

We’re doing the opposite. We show up. We listen. We meet people where they are.

We know you are as invested in this win as we are.
Help build this campaign; join us to canvass. 
Every door matters.

Canvas for Team Todd

Weekly Phone Banking - Mondays 

We know this works.

Every call helps us identify supporters, persuade undecided voters, recruit volunteers, and build the grassroots operation needed to win.

Now we do it again, earlier, stronger, and with even more people involved.

In a race like this, and in a cycle where Democrats are winning in places many thought were out of reach, we win by talking to voters Mary Miller will never reach.

Join us on Monday nights or make calls whenever it works for your schedule.

Even one shift matters.

We can win this race, but only if we outwork and out-organize every week between now and Election Day.

Join Jennifer's Weekly Phone Bank

Together, we're building the campaign that can flip IL-15.
Thank you for everything you're doing to elect Jennifer Todd. 

Coffee & Conversation: July

This past Saturday's Coffee & Conversation on farming was informative and engaging! Thanks to all who joined and especially to Steve Turner, an IL-15 farmer who shared so much important information. Click here to send your suggestions!

June 16, Tuesdays w Team Todd

Farming is not just part of Illinois’ 15th District — it is the backbone of it.

When farming is strong, our whole district is strong.

It supports family businesses on Main Street, keeps equipment dealers and suppliers open, and drives the local economy in towns across central Illinois.

It’s about generations of family farms woven into the fabric of our communities.
Families who have worked on the same land for decades, passing it down.

It’s jobs.
It’s community.
It’s the local economy.

But right now, farmers are getting hit from both sides:

Fuel, fertilizer, and seed costs are up
Commodity prices aren’t keeping pace
Margins are thinner than they’ve been in years

The result is simple: more risk, less stability, and a lot of families trying to figure out how to make the math work.

And what I hear most often is this: farmers are doing everything right, but the system around them keeps changing and not to their benefit.

What I’ve learned from listening to farmers is this:

We need to bring more stability and fairness back into agricultural markets
We need to address the underlying drivers of rising input costs
We need Congress to take on the pressures driving those costs, including corporate pricing power, supply chain pressures, and energy volatility

We need farms to be sustainable.
And generational.

That’s what’s at stake right now in this district, whether family farms can remain viable and whether rural communities can stay strong for the next generation.

Not just production, but permanence.
Not just this season, but the future of rural communities that depend on agriculture to survive.

And that’s why the conversations we’ve had matter, because if we’re going to get this right, we have to start by listening to the people living it every day.

But listening alone isn’t enough.
We can only deliver for farmers if we win this election and have the power to act on what we’re hearing in Congress.

We have a critical end-of-quarter deadline: midnight June 30.

Donate Before June 30

What’s at stake in this election is whether we have leaders willing to listen, show up, and fight for solutions for farmers and rural communities like ours.

We can only deliver for farmers if we win this election and have the ability to act on it in Congress.

That means having the resources to reach voters across all 35 counties and build a campaign strong enough to win in November.

If you’re able to support the campaign before June 30, every contribution helps us reach more voters, have more conversations, and keep building momentum.

I’m a nurse, a mom, and someone committed to serving, representing, and legislating for everyone in our district, not just those who agree with me.

Like you, I’m not a millionaire.
I can’t self-fund this campaign.

I need your help to keep this momentum up.

Fundraising is my least favorite part of running for office, but it’s necessary.

My office will never hang up on a constituent.
I will attend office hours.
I will host town halls.
I will be accountable.

Thank you for being part of this, and for everything you do to support rural Illinois.
Jennifer

PS You can also join us at upcoming events in Witt, Jacksonville, and Godfrey to meet Jennifer in person and support this campaign as we work to meet our critical June 30 deadline. 

Fundraisers, Meet & Greets, Jennifer in your Neighborhood!

You can help us meet our critical June 30 midnight deadline!
Join Jennifer at one of these events across the district or support this campaign where you can.

June 18
Half Witt Winery Fundraiser for Jennifer
Hosted by Montgomery County Indivisible More info and RSVP here

June 17
Godfrey Meet and Greet
Hosted by Phillip Knoche, Homer Adams Park. More info and RSVP here. 

June 27
Jacksonville Fundraiser for Jennifer
Hosted by Jacksonville Indivisible More info and RSVP here.

June 30
End-of-Quarter Fundraising Deadline

And don’t forget:

Every Monday | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Phone Bank with Jennifer, Matt, and Team Todd
Join us each week as we connect directly with voters across the district. Join here.

Bi-Weekly Wednesday Zooms at Noon 

Our bi-weekly volunteer meetings are where volunteers hear campaign updates, share progress on projects, and connect with other supporters who are helping build this campaign across the district.

📅 Wednesday, June 10
⏰ Noon
💻 Via Zoom

If you're already registered, we'll see you there. If not, we'd love to have you join us.

Join our Zooms at Noon!

Can't make the meeting? There are still plenty of ways to get involved.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Phone Banking - at your convenience

• Canvassing - talk to your neighbors

• Meet & Greets - introduce Jennifer to your neighbors

• Driving & Event Staffing - help Jennifer make the most of her time

• Data Work - always needed

• Community Organizing

This is how we win:
Working together to defeat Mary Miller as a united community!

Canvass: Get started in your neighborhood today!

Canvassing has a long tradition in Illinois politics. It’s how campaigns get the win. They do the work, face to face, door to door, in neighborhoods across the state.

It matters even more in this race.

Because while we are out talking with voters where they live, Mary Miller refuses to meet her constituents: no town halls, no real presence in her district, not even in their neighborhoods.

We’re doing the opposite. We show up. We listen. We meet people where they are.

We know you are as invested in this win as we are.
Help build this campaign; join us to canvass. 
Every door matters.

Canvas for Team Todd

Weekly Phone Banking - Mondays 

We know this works.

Every call helps us identify supporters, persuade undecided voters, recruit volunteers, and build the grassroots operation needed to win.

Now we do it again, earlier, stronger, and with even more people involved.

In a race like this, and in a cycle where Democrats are winning in places many thought were out of reach, we win by talking to voters Mary Miller will never reach.

Join us on Monday nights or make calls whenever it works for your schedule.

Even one shift matters.

We can win this race, but only if we outwork and out-organize every week between now and Election Day.

Join Jennifer's Weekly Phone Bank

Together, we're building the campaign that can flip IL-15.
Thank you for everything you're doing to elect Jennifer Todd. 

Coffee & Conversation: Farming

Coffee and Conversations started as part of Jennifer’s listening tour back in May of 2025 — a way to hear directly from people across all 35 counties and 17,000 square miles of this district through Zoom discussions so everyone can participate no matter where you live.

While these are open to all topics every month, this month we’re opening with a focus on farming.

Farmers across the district are dealing with rising costs, tighter margins, and uncertain markets, and they are looking for real solutions that help family farms stay viable for the next generation.

Join the conversation and help us elect someone we can trust to be accountable to the people of the district.

📅 Saturday, June 20
🕙 10:00 AM CT
💻 Zoom: Register Here!

Register now!

If you care about the future of farming in our district, I hope you’ll join us. 

June 9, Tuesdays with Team Todd

Politico is talking about our campaign—and calling out Mary Miller.

Mary Miller wants to spend June debating whether your families count.

As a nurse, a mom, and the daughter of a veteran, I know families in IL-15 aren’t looking for more culture wars.
They’re looking for leaders focused on lowering costs, expanding access to health care, strengthening our public schools, and actually showing up.

That’s why I’ve held 15 Coffee & Conversations, with another coming June 20. It’s why I’ve traveled thousands of miles across this district listening. And it’s why I’m running.

IL-15 deserves a representative who serves this district, not one who distracts with divisive fights.

Below the article, you’ll find updates on tomorrow’s Wednesday volunteer Zoom at noon, Monday night phone banking, three events next week across the district, and more ways to get involved.

If you’re able, please consider pitching in $5, $15, $35, or whatever works for you. Every dollar helps us stay on the road, reach more voters, and power the organizing it will take to win this race.

Join the Fight!

Jennifer

No Pride in Mary Miller’s proposal

By SHIA KAPOS  06/09/2026 08:00 AM EDT
With an assist from Desiree Luo.
Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. This newsletter brought to you by caffeine and summer rain

FAMILY FEUD: Congresswoman Mary Miller is wading back into a culture-war fight.

Last week, the Illinois Republican introduced legislation that would end federal recognition of Pride Month and replace it with “Family Month.”

The proposal, which aligns with the views of a Republican Party increasingly skeptical of gay marriage, landed as Pride Month celebrations were getting underway across Illinois and the country.

Her Democratic challenger, Jennifer Todd, argues Miller is focused on the wrong things. “If Mary Miller really wants to honor families she should be fighting to lower the prices of gas, and groceries, ensuring we have access to health care, making sure our kids can get a good education, and help family farmers survive. That’s what honoring families really means,” Todd said in a statement to Playbook.

Equality Illinois echoed that. “The diversity of our nation, including LGBTQ+ people and families, is one of our greatest strengths. We are strongest when we recognize the richness of our communities and affirm that everyone belongs. We can celebrate the many kinds of families that exist while also honoring the resilience of LGBTQ+ people,” the advocacy group said in a statement to Playbook.

She’s not the only Archie Bunker. Miller is following the lead of Indiana and Tennessee governors who have issued proclamations recognizing “Nuclear Family Month.” And there’s Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles, who recently drew criticism — including from fellow Republicans — after his social media post declared that “Homosexuality has no place in America.” The post was later deleted, with Ogles saying the “stupid” and “harmful” post was made by a member of his team who was reprimanded.

True colors: Miller’s legislation is just the latest example of her courting controversy. Days after taking office in 2021, Miller drew criticism for quoting Adolf Hitler. In 2022, while celebrating the Supreme Court’s decision overruling Roe v. Wade, she called it a “historic victory for white life,” which her office later said was a slip of the tongue, with the wording of the prepared remarks purportedly terming the ruling a victory for “the right to life.” Last year, she came under fire for a xenophobic post identifying a guest House chaplain as Muslim when he was Sikh. Miller said at the time the man “should never have been allowed” to lead the prayer.

She’s MAGA: Miller also objected to certifying the results of the 2020 election and has referred to a trans colleague, Sarah McBride, as “the gentleman from Delaware” on the House floor. Those positions and others have made her a close ally of President Donald Trump, who endorsed her reelection bid.

Back home, though, constituents have complained that she’s difficult to reach and rarely holds public town halls. (She’s also known to dodge reporters’ calls, including your Playbook host’s.)

Losing patience: Miller has won reelection comfortably, but she also drew challengers in the March primary — a sign that criticism of her combative style isn’t limited to Democrats.

Fundraisers, Meet & Greets, Jennifer in your Neighborhood!

Follow along with what’s happening across the district and see when Jennifer will be in your community by visiting us here, and keep an eye out for the! 

Every Monday | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Phone Bank with Jennifer, Matt, and Team Todd
Join us each week as we connect directly with voters across the district. Join here.

June 10
Meet-and-Greet with Jennifer in Mason City
6:00 pm, Mason City Pavilion Park, 250W Jefferson Street, Mason City, IL
Join Sen. Doris Turner; Mason County candidate for Sheriff and the Mason County Democrats for a complimentary dinner and family-oriented event.
Please RSVP to Jay Briney, Mason County Democrat Chair, 217 828 1435.  

June 15
Springfield Fundraiser for Jennifer
Hosted by SWAN More info and RSVP here.

June 18
Half Witt Winery Fundraiser for Jennifer
Hosted by Montgomery County Indivisible More info and RSVP here

June 27
Jacksonville Fundraiser for Jennifer
Hosted by Jacksonville Indivisible More info and RSVP here.

June 30
End-of-Quarter Fundraising Deadline

Bi-Weekly Wednesday Zooms at Noon 

Our bi-weekly volunteer meetings are where volunteers hear campaign updates, share progress on projects, and connect with other supporters who are helping build this campaign across the district.

Wednesday, June 10
Noon
Via Zoom

If you're already registered, we'll see you there. If not, we'd love to have you join us.

Join our Zooms at Noon!

Can't make the meeting? There are still plenty of ways to get involved.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Phone Banking - at your convenience

• Canvassing - talk to your neighbors

• Meet & Greets - introduce Jennifer to your neighbors

• Driving & Event Staffing - help Jennifer make the most of her time

• Data Work - always needed

• Community Organizing

This is how we win:
Working together to defeat Mary Miller as a united community!

Canvass: Get started in your neighborhood today!

Canvassing has a long tradition in Illinois politics. It’s how campaigns get the win. They do the work, face to face, door to door, in neighborhoods across the state.

It matters even more in this race.

Because while we are out talking with voters where they live, Mary Miller refuses to meet her constituents: no town halls, no real presence in her district, not even in their neighborhoods.

We’re doing the opposite. We show up. We listen. We meet people where they are.

We know you are as invested in this win as we are.
Help build this campaign; join us to canvass. 
Every door matters.

Canvas for Team Todd

Weekly Phone Banking - Mondays 

We know this works.

Every call helps us identify supporters, persuade undecided voters, recruit volunteers, and build the grassroots operation needed to win.

Now we do it again, earlier, stronger, and with even more people involved.

In a race like this, and in a cycle where Democrats are winning in places many thought were out of reach, we win by talking to voters Mary Miller will never reach.

Join us on Monday nights or make calls whenever it works for your schedule.

Even one shift matters.

We can win this race, but only if we outwork and out-organize every week between now and Election Day.

Join Jennifer's Weekly Phone Bank

Together, we're building the campaign that can flip IL-15.
Thank you for everything you're doing to elect Jennifer Todd. 

Coffee & Conversation

Our next session is Saturday, June 20 at 10:00 AM, and we will be discussing the future of farming in Illinois’ 15th District, and I want you there.

Because here in IL-15, farming isn’t just an industry. It’s livelihoods, it’s family legacy, and it’s the backbone of our local economy.
And right now, it’s under real pressure.

Mary Miller continues to back cuts that put funding and stability for agriculture programs at risk.

That impact lands directly on family farms, ag workers, small businesses, and the communities that depend on them.

I want to hear what you’re seeing on the ground: what’s working, what’s not, and what you need from leadership that actually shows up for farmers and rural communities.

Saturday, June 20
10:00 AM CT
Zoom: Register Here!

If you care about the future of farming in our district, I hope you’ll join us. 

June 2, Tuesdays with Team Todd

One thing I've learned as a nurse and a mom is that love doesn't come with conditions.

When your child is hurting, you show up.
When they're struggling, you support them.
When they're finding their way in the world, you don't stop loving them.

You keep being their parent.
You keep being their family.
And you keep reminding them that they belong.

That's what families do.

And, often, that's what communities do.

Families across our district may look different from one another, but at our core, most of us want the same thing: for the people we love to be safe, healthy, and able to build a happy and successful life.

That's certainly what I want for my family.

And it's what I want for yours.

Not just for those whose families look like mine.
For all of you.

As a nurse, I've spent years caring for people at some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives.

I've seen the difference that support, acceptance, and compassion can make.
I've also seen the damage that can happen when people feel rejected, isolated, or told that they matter less than others.
The consequences aren't political.

They're human.

That's why I believe every child deserves to feel safe at school.
Every family deserves equal treatment under the law.
And every person deserves dignity and respect.

Not because of who they are.
Not because of who they love.
Not because of what they believe.

Simply because they're human.

Last June, Mary Miller said, "Pride Month, in my opinion, is evil."
Why is she so afraid of family, of love?

That's what I think of when I think about Pride, not politics.

I think about young people who need to know they are loved.
I think about parents who want their children to be safe.
I think about families who want the same things every other family wants: acceptance, opportunity, and the freedom to live their lives in peace.

How can there be anything wrong with telling people they have value?
How can there be anything wrong with helping young people know they belong?

And how can there be anything wrong with celebrating the simple idea that every person deserves respect?

The values that guide me aren't complicated.

Lead with kindness.
Treat people fairly.
Stand up for those who are being pushed aside.

And never make a child feel like they are less worthy of love, respect, or opportunity than anyone else.

That's the kind of community I believe in.
And that's the kind of representative I will be.

Because at the end of the day, none of us will be remembered for who we excluded.

We'll be remembered for who we welcomed.
We'll be remembered for who we stood beside when it wasn't easy.
We'll be remembered for whether we chose fear or compassion, division or community, judgment or love.

I know what choice I'm making.

If you believe our district is strongest when every family is valued, every child is protected, and every person is treated with dignity, then I hope you'll stand with me.

Join this campaign. Share this message. Talk to your neighbors. Help us build a politics rooted not in fear, but in humanity.

Fighting for Unconditional Love

Because love has always been stronger than fear.

And together, we can build a community that proves it.

With unconditional love,

Jennifer

P.S. A lot is happening with Team Todd in June, and every conversation, every volunteer shift, and every dollar raised is helping us build the campaign that can defeat Mary Miller.

Scroll down for info on tomorrow night's phone bank with the auto-dialer, our weekly phone bank, bi-weekly volunteer Zooms, canvassing, meet and greets, and events supporting Jennifer in June

Fundraisers, Meet & Greets, Jennifer in your Neighborhood!

Follow along with what’s happening across the district and see when Jennifer will be in your community by visiting us here, and keep an eye out for the ! 

Every Monday | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Phone Bank with Jennifer, Matt, and Team Todd
Join us each week as we connect directly with voters across the district. Join here.

June 3
Phone Bank for Jennifer with the auto-dialer and reach thousands. Sign up here!

June 10
Meet-and-Greet with Jennifer in Mason City
6:00 pm, Mason City Pavilion Park, 250W Jefferson Street, Mason City, IL
Join Sen. Doris Turner; Mason County candidate for Sheriff and the Mason County Democrats for a complimentary dinner and family-oriented event.
Please RSVP to Jay Briney, Mason County Democrat Chair, 217 828 1435.  

June 15
Springfield Fundraiser for Jennifer
Hosted by SWAN More info and RSVP here.

June 18
Half Witt Winery Fundraiser for Jennifer
Hosted by Montgomery County Indivisible More info and RSVP here

June 27
Jacksonville Fundraiser for Jennifer
Hosted by Jacksonville Indivisible More info and RSVP here.

June 30
End-of-Quarter Fundraising Deadline

Tomorrow Night: Auto-Dialer Phone Bank 

Join Team Nikki tomorrow night and help power Jennifer Todd’s campaign to victory in IL-15.

With our auto-dialer, we can reach thousands of voters in a single hour, creating more opportunities to share Jennifer’s story, talk about what’s at stake in this race, and bring new supporters into the movement.

Every conversation matters.

Together, we’ll build momentum across the district, connect directly with voters, and make sure more people hear Jennifer’s vision for the future.

Join us in person or virtually. Wherever you are, you can make a real impact.

Phone Bank to Thousands!

Bi-Weekly Wednesday Zooms at Noon 

Our bi-weekly volunteer meetings are where volunteers hear campaign updates, share progress on projects, and connect with other supporters who are helping build this campaign across the district.

Wednesday, June 10
Noon
Via Zoom

If you're already registered, we'll see you there. If not, we'd love to have you join us.

Join our Zooms at Noon!

Can't make the meeting? There are still plenty of ways to get involved.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Phone Banking - at your convenience

• Canvassing - talk to your neighbors

• Meet & Greets - introduce Jennifer to your neighbors

• Driving & Event Staffing - help Jennifer make the most of her time

• Data Work - always needed

• Community Organizing

This is how we win:
Working together to defeat Mary Miller as a united community!

Canvass: Get started in your neighborhood today!

Canvassing has a long tradition in Illinois politics. It’s how campaigns get the win. They do the work, face to face, door to door, in neighborhoods across the state.

It matters even more in this race.

Because while we are out talking with voters where they live, Mary Miller refuses to meet her constituents: no town halls, no real presence in her district, not even in their neighborhoods.

We’re doing the opposite. We show up. We listen. We meet people where they are.

We know you are as invested in this win as we are.
Help build this campaign; join us to canvass. 
Every door matters.

Canvas for Team Todd

Weekly Phone Banking - Mondays 

We know this works.

Every call helps us identify supporters, persuade undecided voters, recruit volunteers, and build the grassroots operation needed to win.

Now we do it again, earlier, stronger, and with even more people involved.

In a race like this, and in a cycle where Democrats are winning in places many thought were out of reach, we win by talking to voters Mary Miller will never reach.

Join us on Monday nights or make calls whenever it works for your schedule.

Even one shift matters.

We can win this race, but only if we outwork and out-organize every week between now and Election Day.

Join Jennifer's Weekly Phone Bank

Together, we're building the campaign that can flip IL-15.
Thank you for everything you're doing to elect Jennifer Todd. 

Coffee & Conversation

We are still hearing about the success of this month’s discussion on Data Centers. It’s proof just how valuable these topic-focused conversations can be, and we’re excited to continue them each month going forward.

The next session is June 20th, and we want to hear from you about a topic you are concerned about or an issue you are interested in learning more about.  

Saturday, June 20
10:00 AM
Via Zoom

Let us know what you’re interested in discussing in June. 

May 19, 2026, Tuesdays with Team Todd

Here’s something I’m sure we all can agree on.

Fundraising is not the fun part of politics.

Nobody wakes up thinking, “You know what would really brighten my day? More campaign emails and texts.”

Unfortunately, campaigns are still expected to pay bills, print signs and literature, cover entry and filing fees, pay for gas, pay for technology, and direct voter contact to reach people across IL-15’s 17,000 square miles and 35 counties.

The list goes on.
So here we are.

But you’re not reading this because fundraising is exciting.
And you know the people in this district are worth fighting for.

Last week, we talked about breaking the cycle.

The “this district was drawn this way, so why bother” cycle.
The “my vote won’t matter” cycle.
The “nobody can beat Mary Miller here anyway” cycle.

The reality is:

No magical savior is coming.
Chaotic rhetoric only divides.
The millionaire and billionaire donors aren’t breaking down our doors.

We do it by organizing in our communities. With visibility. With voter contact.

And yes, with fundraising.

Because campaigns like this do not run on inevitability. They run on people deciding their communities deserve representation that actually shows up.

And right now, people are paying attention.

Last cycle, Mary Miller had zero challengers.
This cycle, two Republicans filed to challenge her in the primary, and four Democrats stepped up to run.

That doesn’t happen when people are satisfied with the status quo.
It happens when people are tired of feeling ignored.

And that energy has only grown since our primary win with 49% of the vote.

People are showing up.
People are reaching out.
People are asking how they can help.

They are not waiting for someone to save them.
They are taking action.

One great example is how Paul Lange and Quincy stepped up a couple of weeks ago with a highly successful fundraising event! (Scroll down for photos!)

Mary Miller has built a political brand around division and outrage.
I’m Jennifer Todd, and I’m building this campaign for Congress around listening to people, including people who may not agree with me on every issue.

Because representation is supposed to belong to everyone.

I’m listening to all who reach out to us.
Can we honestly say the same about Mary Miller?

That’s why this campaign matters.

And it’s why, fun or not, fundraising is so important right now.

Because the opportunities to organize, reach voters, and build momentum are already here, starting tonight:

📍 TONIGHT | Decatur | May 19
📍 Springfield | June 15
📍 Witt | June 18
📍 Jacksonville | June 27

People are showing up.
People are paying attention.
People are tired of feeling ignored.

Now the fundraising has to grow to meet the moment.

Because campaigns like this do not run on outrage, billionaire donors, or inevitability.

Every single contribution matters because fundraising is what allows us to keep organizing across 35 counties, keep reaching voters, and keep building the kind of campaign it takes to win.

Join the "fun" now!

We don't need everyone to max out.
But we do need more people stepping up and investing in this campaign if we are going to break the cycle.

So while emails and texts still don’t put the fun in fundraising, fundraising is how campaigns like this become real.

And together, we are building something that proves this district is worth showing up for.

Jennifer

P.S. You can join one of our events, host one, become a monthly donor, or give $15, $35 or whatever you can today.

Every single one matters.

*You can follow along with what’s happening across the district and see when I’ll be in your community by visiting us here, and keep an eye out for the 💙! 

Volunteer Updates & Sign Up: 

Last week's Bi-Weekly Volunteer Zoom at Noon Meeting was another great success with dozens of volunteers stepping up and reporting growth and momentum.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday, May 27, at 12 pm.

If you’re already registered, we’ll see you there. If not, you can still sign up to join Team Todd.

Register now!

Join Team Todd Today!

This is how we win.
One conversation at a time, in every corner of this district.

Phone Banking 

Big thanks to our super volunteer, Adams County native, and current California resident Matt Helmer, for leading the charge on all things VoteBuilder!

Thanks to Matt and a core group of passionate volunteers, Jennifer Todd for Congress phone banking is officially underway. Last night, 8 new volunteers made more than 100 calls connecting directly with voters across the district and helping grow the grassroots momentum that powered our March win.

In honor of Memorial Day, we’ll be phone banking on Tuesday next week, same time, 7:00-8:30 pm, but after that, you can join us every Monday from 7–8:30 PM as we continue building toward November and working to defeat Mary Miller.

Phone Banking Registration

Phone Bank for Jennifer!

Canvas: Get started in your neighborhood today!

Canvassing has begun in a few counties already! Knocking on doors is one of the most powerful ways you can help Jennifer Todd defeat Mary Miller in IL-15.

Sign up here to get started today.

No experience needed, we’ll train you, or if you’ve canvassed before, you can canvas at your convenience!

Canvas for Team Todd

More volunteer opportunities: 

• Phone Bank

• Canvas

• Meet and Greets

• Driving and Staffing

• Data work

• Organizing your community

Sign up here to let us know what you are ready to do to help elect Jennifer Todd! 

Coffee & Conversation

Thank you to Cindy Shepherd and Rachel Stechman for leading such an informative conversation on Data Centers. We heard from several attendees who appreciated the chance to learn more and get better informed on how Data Centers are impacting our communities.

The success of this month’s discussion showed just how valuable these topic-focused conversations can be, and we’re excited to continue them each month going forward.

Now we’d love to hear from you. What community topic should we focus on in June?

📅 Saturday, June 20
⏰ 10:00 AM
💻 Via Zoom

Registration will start next week when we announce the topic!

Click here to share your topic ideas!

May 13, 2026, Tuesdays with Team Todd

Breaking the Cycle.

That’s what we are doing here in this district.

For too many years, this district has been underinvested in and written off.

And when that happens, families get left behind.

Farmers.
Veterans.
Students.
Working families.
Rural communities.

People deserve representation, whether a district is considered “easy” or not.

Because when we stop showing up in communities like ours, it weakens trust in democracy itself.

And here in IL-15, you can see exactly where that leads.

In 2024, no one even ran against Mary Miller.

No real challenge.
No real conversation.
No accountability.

We cannot keep doing politics this way and expect different results.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/may12tuesdays

We cannot keep letting maps and assumptions decide which communities matter and which ones get ignored.

But this cycle feels different because people here are ready for something different.

Four Democrats stepped up to run.
And, two Republicans challenged Mary Miller in the primary.

That does not happen in districts people truly believe are hopeless.

And the truth is, Mary Miller has never really had to defend her record in a serious general election environment.

Now she does.

This campaign is different because it is rooted here.

I’m a nurse.
A single mom.
The daughter of a veteran.

I’ve relied on Medicaid, SNAP, and unemployment before. I know what it feels like to worry about healthcare costs, bills, and whether there will be enough left at the end of the month.

I also know this district is full of hardworking people who are tired of being treated like second-class citizens by both parties.

People want someone focused on this district.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/may12tuesdays

Not building a national brand.
Not creating chaos with divisive rhetoric.

Just doing the work.

That means showing up in all 35 counties.

Holding town halls.
Listening.
Having conversations.
Being present.

Because breaking the cycle is about more than one election.

It’s about finally investing in communities, like Palmer, Warden, Plymouth, and so many more that have been ignored for far too long.

And that takes all of us.

It takes people willing to volunteer.
-To organize.
-To knock doors.
-To make calls.
-To host events.
-To bring new people into this movement.

And yes, it takes financial resources too.

Not because money wins everything, we proved that in the primary, but because organizing across 35 counties takes real investment.

For example:
Every 125 miles driven across this 17,000-square-mile district costs about $600.
50 T-shirts also run about $650.

And that’s before the everyday costs of running a true grassroots campaign.

The truth is, races like this only become competitive when people decide they are worth fighting for before everyone else believes it.

That is how you build momentum.
That is how you surprise people.
And that is how you break the cycle.

Donate

Because if we want to strengthen democracy, we cannot abandon parts of it.

We have to show up everywhere.

And that is exactly what we are doing here.

Jennifer Todd

P.S. Breaking the cycle takes more than hope. It takes people willing to invest in this fight. Donate, volunteer, organize, and help us show up in every corner of this district. 

You can follow along with what’s happening across the district and see when I’ll be in your community by visiting us here, and keep an eye out for the 💙! 

To invite Jennifer to your community or host a meet and greet: jennifer@jentodd2026.us, 618-251-1428 

May 6-12 - National Nurses Week (Jennifer's Nursing Journey)

May 13 - Team Todd Bi-Weekly Volunteer Zoom. Register here

May 16 - Coffee & Conversation: Data Centers. Register here.

May 17 - Clinton May Days, Clinton, IL

May 19:

Fundraiser for Jennifer Todd
Hosted by Democratic Women of Macon County
gK9 Wine & Spirits, 225 N Water St No. 110, Decatur, 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
Donate/RSVPHere

May 27 - IL Alliance Retired Americans Breakfast, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, IEA Professional Development Center, 3440 Liberty Dr., Springfield, IL 62704

June 6 - Mason County Democrats 21st Annual Golf Outing

Volunteer Zoom Tomorrow at Noon

Join us tomorrow at noon on Zoom for our next Bi-Weekly Volunteer Meeting.

There’s a lot of energy right now, and we especially need support with field organizing and summer outreach across the district.

If you’re already registered, we’ll see you there. If not, you can still sign up to join Team Todd.

And if you are ready to get started with phone banking and canvassing:

Register now! 

Join Team Todd Today!

This is how we win.
One conversation at a time, in every corner of this district.

Phone Bank: Training + First Calls - Mon May 18

Join us from 7-8:30 pm to learn how to phone bank for Jennifer's campaign and make your first calls with the group.  

We'll walk through the script and tools (30 min), make calls together on mute as a group (50 min), and debrief at the end (10 min). 

Group sessions will continue going forward, or if you are already an experienced phone banker, we will set you up to dial at your convenience!

Phone Bank for Jennifer!

Canvas: Get started in your neighborhood today!

Knocking on doors is one of the most powerful ways you can help Jennifer Todd defeat Mary Miller in IL-15.

Sign up here to get started today.

No experience needed, we’ll train you, or if you’ve canvassed before, you can canvas at your convenience!

We’ll also reach out when organized canvassing is happening in your area, including our first Day of Action in early June.

Canvas for Team Todd

Coffee & Conversation: Data Centers

Communities across Central Illinois are asking important questions about proposed data centers and what they could mean for our future.

Join us for our next Coffee & Conversation as we discuss concerns residents are raising about:
• Energy use
• Water demand
• Infrastructure strain
• Local community impact

I’ll be joined by community advocates Cindy Shepherd and Rachel Stechman for a conversation centered on listening to residents and making sure local voices are part of these decisions.

📅 Saturday, May 16
⏰ 10:00 AM
💻 Via Zoom

Join the Conversation

Guest Voices:

Cindy Shepherd (Champaign County) is the Energy Builder Director for Faith in Place, a multi-faith organization working with more than 300 congregations across Illinois to build healthier, more resilient communities. A Kansas native and 35-year Central Illinois resident, Cindy works with a coalition examining the potential impacts of hyperscale data centers. She advocates for policy guardrails that protect Illinois water resources, electric rates, and public health.

Rachel Stechman (Logan County) is the founder of Logan County Indivisible, a small business owner, and professional dog groomer. She has been actively engaged in community efforts responding to a proposed data center in her own area. Through her work, she helps inform residents, share resources, and increase accountability from elected officials.

Register & Join the Conversation

May 5, 2026, Tuesdays with Team Todd

If you live in rural or central Illinois, you already know this:
Reliable broadband isn’t a luxury. It’s essential.

It’s how kids do their homework.
It’s how farmers run modern operations.
It’s how small businesses reach customers.
It’s how families access healthcare through telehealth.

And it’s how people reach emergency services when every second matters.

Right now, too many communities across our district are still being left behind.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/may5tuesdays

James, a farmer in Greenville, told me firsthand that broadband access is a huge need in his rural area. Modern farming depends on real-time information every day, from weather reports to markets, prices, and more.

When that connection fails, it is not just inconvenient.
It affects how work gets done and how families make a living.

Dropped connections.
Slow speeds.
Or no access at all.

That is not just inconvenient.
It is holding our communities back.

We need to treat broadband like the essential infrastructure it is, just like roads, bridges, and electricity.

That means investing in rural connectivity, expanding access, and making sure central Illinois is never an afterthought when federal resources are on the table.

We also need to think differently about how we deliver it.
Do the lines always have to be placed underground?
Could we expand access by running broadband along existing power infrastructure, or using the same routes that once brought telephone service out to farms?

These are the kinds of questions I have been asking for the past year, because the how matters if we are serious about reaching every community.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/may5tuesdays

The difference is simple.

I will work to expand access, invest in rural infrastructure, and push for practical solutions that actually reach farm families, small towns, and underserved communities.

Mary Miller has opposed key efforts to expand the infrastructure needed to bring reliable broadband to rural communities like ours.

That choice has consequences.
When communities are left behind, we lose opportunity.
We lose growth.
We lose competitiveness.

We cannot afford to fall further behind.

I am running for Congress because I believe central and rural Illinois deserve better than being overlooked.

We deserve to be connected.

If you agree, I am asking you to support this campaign today.

Donate

Every contribution helps us reach more voters, build more momentum, and fight for the infrastructure our communities have been waiting for.

Together, we can build a future where every family, every farm, and every small town has the tools they need to succeed.

Jennifer

P.S. This campaign is about showing up for our communities and getting real results. That’s exactly what I’ll do for our schools, and your contribution today helps make that possible.

You can follow along with what’s happening across the district and see when I’ll be in your community by visiting us here, and keep an eye out for the 💙! 

To invite Jennifer to your community or host a meet and greet: jennifer@jentodd2026.us, 618-251-1428 

May 4-8 - National Teachers Appreciation Week

May 6-12 - National Nurses Week

May 5 - Collinsville Democrat Meeting 6 - 7 PM, American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia St, Collinsville, IL 62234

May 6 - Bond County Democrat Meeting, 6:30 - 7:30 PM, Central Township Road District, 920 E Bowman Dr, Greenville, 62246

May 19 - Fundraiser for Jennifer Todd hosted by Democratic Women of Macon County, gK9 Wine & Spirits, 225 N Water St No. 110, Decatur, 6:00 – 8:00 pm Donate/RSVPHere

May 27 - IL Alliance Retired Americans Breakfast, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, IEA Professional Development Center, 3440 Liberty Dr., Springfield, IL 62704

June 6 - Mason County Democrats 21st Annual Golf Outing

Volunteer opportunities are growing! 

Host a meet and greet in your community
Join a phone bank
Knock on doors and talk to your neighbors

Join Our Bi-Weekly Volunteer Zooms - Wednesdays at Noon

We kicked off the general election with our first volunteer Zoom and were thrilled to have more than 40 people join us.

Whether you were there or are just getting involved, we’d love to have you with us.

Join us this Wednesday at noon, or a future Zoom that fits your schedule.

And if you can’t make it, that’s okay. We’re happy to connect one-on-one and get you plugged into a volunteer role that works for you.

Register now! 

Join Team Todd Today!

This is how we win.
One conversation at a time, in every corner of this district.

Coffee & Conversation: Data Centers

Join Jennifer for her next Coffee & Conversation, focused on data centers in the district and the concerns community members are raising throughout Champaign, Sangamon, Logan, & Madison Counties.

Residents are asking real questions about energy use, water demand, infrastructure strain, and what multiple data centers across the district mean for the future of their communities.

This is about making sure community members are heard across the district. 

Jennifer will be there to listen directly to community members and hear what people are experiencing and concerned about across the district.

Because decisions this big should never happen without the people who live here being heard first.

Register & Join the Conversation

April 28, 2026, Tuesdays with Team Todd

You may have seen Mary Miller’s post last week attacking Chicago schools and teachers.

But here’s the problem — she doesn’t represent Chicago.
She represents us.

Here at home, we’re dealing with:
underfunded schools,
overworked teachers,
and students who aren’t getting the opportunities they deserve.

That’s what she should be focused on.

Instead, she’s choosing political fights that have nothing to do with our communities while supporting policies that take resources away from public schools, especially in rural districts like ours.

That hurts our kids. It hurts our teachers. And it hurts our future.

Our students deserve better.
And we cannot afford more of the same.

I’ve spent my life as a nurse, and I’ve seen how much a strong school system shapes a child’s future, and a community’s future, too.

We have a choice to make about what comes next.

If I’m elected, here’s what I’ll do:

• Fight to fully fund our public schools so rural districts aren’t left behind

• Support higher pay for teachers so we can keep great educators right here in our communities

• Expand vocational and technical training so students can step into good-paying jobs, whether that’s college, the trades, or staying and working close to home

• Make sure every student has access to the support they need to succeed, no matter their zip code

This is the choice in this race.

Mary Miller is focused on headlines and divisive rhetoric.

I’m focused on our kids, our schools, and our future.

Because when our schools are strong, our communities are strong.

And if we want stronger schools, we need new leadership willing to fight for them.

I’m grateful to have you with me in this.

Jennifer

P.S. This campaign is about showing up for our communities and getting real results. That’s exactly what I’ll do for our schools.

Donate

And if we want stronger schools, we need new leadership willing to fight for them.

We have real momentum coming out of the primary. Now we have to turn that momentum into victory.
I’m grateful to have you with me in this.

Jennifer

P.S. This campaign is about showing up for our communities and getting real results. That’s exactly what I’ll do for our schools, and your contribution today helps make that possible.

You can also follow along with what’s happening across the district and see when I’ll be in your community by visiting us here, and keep an eye out for the 💙! 

To invite Jennifer to your community or host a meet and greet: jennifer@jentodd2026.us, 618-251-1428 

May 1 - Quincy Area Fundraiser for Jennifer Todd, State Street Theater, 434 S. 8th St. Donate/RSVP Here

May 2 - March with Jennifer and the Adams County Democrats in the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce Dogwood Parade.

May 2 - Meet and Greet for Jennifer Todd, 3:30 - 6:00 PM, Quincy. More info click here.

May 4-8 - National Teachers Appreciation Week

May 6-12 - National Nurses Week

May 5 - Collinsville Democrat Meeting 6 - 7 PM, American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia St, Collinsville, IL 62234

May 6 - Bond County Democrat Meeting, 6:30 - 7:30 PM, Central Township Road District, 920 E Bowman Dr, Greenville, 62246

May 19 - Fundraiser for Jennifer Todd hosted by Democratic Women of Macon County, gK9 Wine & Spirits, 225 N Water St No. 110, Decatur, 6:00 – 8:00 pm Donate/RSVPHere

Volunteer opportunities are growing! 

Host a meet and greet in your community
Join a phone bank
Knock on doors and talk to your neighbors

Join Our Bi-Weekly Volunteer Zooms - Wednesdays at Noon

We kicked off the general election with our first volunteer Zoom and were thrilled to have more than 40 people join us.

Whether you were there or are just getting involved, we’d love to have you with us.

Join us this Wednesday at noon, or a future Zoom that fits your schedule.

And if you can’t make it, that’s okay. We’re happy to connect one-on-one and get you plugged into a volunteer role that works for you.

Register now! 

Join Team Todd Today!

This is how we win.
One conversation at a time, in every corner of this district.

Coffee & Conversation: Data Centers

Join Jennifer for her next Coffee & Conversation, focused on the issue of data centers in the district and the concerns community members are raising throughout Champaign, Sangamon, Logan, & Madison Counties.

Residents are asking real questions about energy use, water demand, infrastructure strain, and what multiple data centers across the district mean for the future of their communities.

This is about making sure community members are heard across the district. 

Jennifer will be there to listen directly to community members and hear what people are experiencing and concerned about across the district.

Because decisions this big should never happen without the people who live here being heard first.

Register & Join the Conversation

April 21, 2026, Tuesdays with Team Todd

While Mary Miller isn’t listening to the people of this district, I am.
That’s why I’m running for Congress to fight for families who are being left behind on costs, farms, and opportunity. 

Affordability is the issue I hear everywhere I go.
From gas and groceries to the cost of keeping farms running, families are being squeezed from every direction.

What’s happening in Illinois farming should concern all of us.

Young people who want to take over family farms are running into a wall of rising costs they simply cannot keep up with.

• Land is more expensive

• Equipment costs more than ever

• Passing a farm from one generation to the next is becoming harder every year

The warning signs are already here.
Fewer than 9% of Illinois farmers are under 35, while the average farmer is now over 58.  (Source: USDA Census of Agriculture / Illinois Farm Bureau analysis)

That is not just a statistic; it is a warning about the future of rural Illinois.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/april21jentodd

If we do not act, we lose the next generation of farmers and weaken the rural economy that holds our communities together.

I want to change that.

I want young people to be able to stay here, take over family farms, and build their futures in the same communities they grew up in.

That means:

• Making land more affordable

• Helping families invest in equipment

• Protecting the ability to pass farms down without being forced to sell

As a nurse and a mom, I understand what it means when hard work is not enough anymore.
And I understand what it means when young people feel they have to leave just to get ahead.

We have to be honest about the contrast.

Mary Miller is a millionaire who does not face the same cost pressures as families in this district.

She is not feeling what people here are feeling right now.
Prices are rising on groceries, gas, and the cost of keeping farms running.
Too often, she votes in line with those priorities, not the realities working families are living every day.

That is not representation, it’s distance.

This is where your support matters most.

We are seeing Democrats win in districts like this all over the country, but those victories come down to one thing: having the resources to actually reach voters before Election Day.

That means direct voter contact: 

Knocking doors
Making calls
Sending mail
Running digital ads

So every voter knows there is a real choice in this race.

And, we hear you. Signs, t-shirts, billboards, and visibility across this district matter, and we want to put them everywhere people can see this campaign.

I want to change that.

That happens with support. Your support.

Donate

We have real momentum coming out of the primary. Now we have to turn that momentum into victory.

Thank you for being part of this,
Jennifer

Jennifer Around the District

You can also follow along with what’s happening across the district and see when I’ll be in your community by visiting us here, and keep an eye out for the 💙! 

To invite Jennifer to your community or host a meet and greet: jennifer@jentodd2026.us, 618-251-1428 

April 22 - Planned Parenthood Illinois Action: Cheers to Choice, 5-7 pm, Blood Wine Bar & Florals, 2 South Old State Capitol Plaza, Springfield. 

April 25 - Cass County Democratic Party Dinner, Beardstown, 6:30 - 8:30 PM

May 1 - Quincy Area Fundraiser for Jennifer Todd, State Street Theater, 434 S. 8th St. Donate/RSVP Here

May 2 - March with Jennifer and the Adams County Democrats in the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce Dogwood Parade.

May 2 - Meet and Greet for Jennifer Todd, 3:30 - 6:00 PM, Quincy. More info click here.

May 4-8 - National Teachers Appreciation Week

May 6-12 - National Nurses Week

May 19 - Fundraiser for Jennifer Todd hosted by Democratic Women of Macon County, gK9 Wine & Spirits, 225 N Water St No. 110, Decatur, 6:00 – 8:00 pm Donate/RSVPHere

Volunteer opportunities are growing! 

Host a meet and greet in your community
Join a phone bank
Knock on doors and talk to your neighbors

Join Our Bi-Weekly Volunteer Zooms - Wednesdays at Noon

We kicked off the general election with our first volunteer Zoom and were thrilled to have more than 40 people join us.

Whether you were there or are just getting involved, we’d love to have you with us.

Join us this Wednesday at noon, or a future Zoom that fits your schedule.

And if you can’t make it, that’s okay. We’re happy to connect one-on-one and get you plugged into a volunteer role that works for you.

Register now! 

Join Team Todd Today!

This is how we win.
One conversation at a time, in every corner of this district.

April 14, 2026, Tuesdays with Team Todd

Together, we just won a competitive four-person primary by building a grassroots campaign across all 35 counties of this district.

We traveled throughout our 17,000-square-mile district.
We listened to voters who have been feeling unheard.
We built support in places Democrats don’t usually reach.
And we won.

If you’re new to this campaign, welcome—and I’m really glad you’re here.

A big reason we won is simple: we listened.

That’s something people across this district haven't been getting from our current representative, and it’s one of the biggest reasons I decided to run.

Now, I want to take that commitment even further now that we are in the general election.

For those new to our campaign, I’m Jennifer Todd, the Democratic nominee for Congress in Illinois’ 15th District, challenging Mary Miller.

If we haven’t met yet, I hope we will soon.

The core of this campaign is still the same: listening, not talking at people.

Hearing directly from families, farmers, workers, and communities about costs, care, and opportunity.

That means:

• Kitchen tables

• Small towns

• Farms

• Healthcare workers, educators, and small business owners

• And more, as every voice matters.

Across this district, how we show up depends on distance:

• Closer to Madison County: meet and greets, house gatherings, local events

• Farther counties: concentrated visits, multiple stops in a day, diners, and community spaces where people already gather

This is a 35-county, 17,000-square-mile district.
Showing up everywhere takes real travel, organizing, and resources.

We can’t do that without support.
If you want to help bring me to your community or organize a visit, please reply to this email.

And if you’re able to help cover the travel that makes this outreach possible, you can do that here.

I’d truly love to meet you and your neighbors, hear your stories, and learn what matters most.

Because public service means listening and showing up.

Jennifer

P.S. Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or are just joining Team Todd, thank you. We’re building real momentum in a district people said couldn’t change, but it takes resources to keep showing up and competing everywhere. If you’re able, I’d be grateful for your support today.

Jennifer Around the District

You can also follow along with what’s happening across the district and see when I’ll be in your community by visiting us here, and keep an eye out for the💙! 

To invite Jennifer to your community or host a meet and greet: jennifer@jentodd2026.us, 618-251-1428 

April 13 - Greater Springfield Democrats Monthly meeting, 5:30 pm, Stella Coffee & Tea, 1135   West Governors Street, Springfield, IL 

April 15 - Bi-Weekly Team Todd Zoom at Noon

April 16 - Shelby County Democrats Monthly meeting, 5:30 pm, VFW 513 S. Cedar St., Shelbyville, IL 

April 18 - Coffee & Conversation with Special Guest Paul Davis

April 21 - Montgomery County Democrats, 7 pm, 1 Courthouse Square, Hillsboro

April 22 - Planned Parenthood Illinois Action: Cheers to Choice, 5-7 pm, Blood Wine Bar & Florals, 2 South Old State Capitol Plaza, Springfield. 

April 25 - Cass County Democratic Party Dinner, Beardstown, 6:30 - 8:30 PM

May 1 - Quincy Area Fundraiser for Jennifer Todd, State Street Theater, 434 S. 8th St. Donate/RSVP Here

May 2 - Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce Dogwood Parade

May 4-8 - National Teachers Appreciation Week

May 6-12 - National Nurses Week

May 19 - Fundraiser for Jennifer Todd hosted by Democratic Women of Macon County, gK9 Wine & Spirits, 225 N Water St No. 110, Decatur, 6:00 – 8:00 pm Donate/RSVP Here

Volunteer opportunities are growing! 

Host a meet and greet in your community
Join a phone bank
Knock on doors and talk to your neighbors

Join Our Bi-Weekly Volunteer Zooms - Wednesdays at Noon

We kicked off the general election with our first volunteer Zoom and were thrilled to have more than 40 people join us.

Whether you were there or are just getting involved, we’d love to have you with us.

Join us this Wednesday at noon, or a future Zoom that fits your schedule.

And if you can’t make it, that’s okay. We’re happy to connect one-on-one and get you plugged into a volunteer role that works for you.

Register now! 

Join Team Todd Today!

This is how we win.
One conversation at a time, in every corner of this district.

Coffee & Conversation: April

Winning the primary was a big step; now the real work begins.

I’m still listening, and I want to hear from every corner of our district.

Join me for our first Coffee & Conversation of the general election, with special guest Paul Davis, a great sign of the unity we’re building together.

🗓 Saturday, April 18
⏰ 10 AM
💻 Zoom

Whether you’ve been here from the start or are just joining, your voice matters.

Count me in!

April 7, 2026, Tuesdays with Team Todd

We’ve had a lot of new people join this campaign over the past few weeks. If that’s you, welcome. I’m really glad you’re here.

If you’ve been with me from the start, thank you. We would not be here without you.

We won our primary. That matters.
Now the real work begins.

For those just getting to know me, I’m Jennifer Todd.
I’m a nurse, a mom, a neighbor, and someone who believes this district deserves a representative who shows up, listens, and fights for the people who live here.

I got into this race in January of 2025 because it was clear our district was not being heard.
I kept meeting families struggling with rising costs, farmers being left behind, and people who felt like no one in Washington was paying attention to life here at home.

I decided to step up because I believe our community deserves someone who shows up and fights for us.

Everywhere I go, I hear the same thing.
Costs are too high.
Groceries. Gas. Health care.
Farmers are worried about staying afloat.
Families are stretched thin.
Seniors are wondering how far their Social Security will go.

We can do better. And that is what this campaign is about.

Since the primary, we have been growing our grassroots team, reaching more voters, and building the kind of campaign it takes to win in November.

And here’s the truth of where we are right now.

We have volunteers ready to knock doors.
County chairs stepping up.
Organizations asking for yard signs and t-shirts.

That’s exactly the kind of momentum we need.

We would love nothing more than to deliver boxes of signs and shirts to every single county in this district. To show people, in a real and visible way, that this campaign is everywhere and that they have a real choice.

But those materials cost money.

Donate

And as you know, I’m not able to self-fund. Raising money in a district like ours isn’t easy, and most of us are in the same boat.
That just means we have to build this together.

If we’re going to meet this moment, we need to raise the resources to match the energy we’re seeing on the ground. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/april7jentodd

If you’re able to, please consider making a contribution today. Every dollar goes directly toward reaching voters and getting the tools our volunteers need into their hands.

If you are ready to step in, here is how you can help:

Host a meet and greet in your community
Join a phone bank
Knock doors and talk to your neighbors

Volunteer here

If you want to host, canvass, or make calls, you can also reach out directly to Erin: erin.vanbrooker@gmail.com

This is how we win. One conversation at a time, in every corner of this district.

Thank you for being part of this. I am grateful to have you with me.

Jennifer

P.S. Early support right now is what builds a winning campaign. If you believe in what we’re doing, please consider making a contribution today.

P.P.S. Coffee and Conversation is coming up on April 18. Scroll down for more details and be sure to register. I hope to see you there.

Donate

Our Volunteer Community is Growing! 

We had an incredible turnout for our first General Election "Zoom at Noon" last Wednesday! With over 40 of you joining us live and dozens more engaging daily, the energy was absolutely electric.

A special shoutout to Randy Raley for joining us from the road. Now that is commitment! Randy brought a fantastic perspective and even offered his incredible voice to our upcoming projects. He truly put the "unity" in community.

Because of this amazing momentum, we’re moving to a bi-weekly Wednesday schedule. Whether you can join every time or just once a month, we want you there!

Next Zoom:
Wednesday, April 15
Noon, via Zoom 
Register now!

Count me in!

Thank you for being in this with me.

Jennifer

P.S. If you can’t make it, sign up anyway, and we’ll send you everything you need to stay involved.

Coffee & Conversation

Winning the primary was an incredible first step. Now the real work begins.

We won because of you, and our “Listening Tour” didn’t end on election night. I’m still listening, and I want to hear from every corner of our 17,000-square-mile district.

Join me for our first Coffee & Conversation of the general election. I’m also excited that Paul Davis will be joining us, a meaningful sign of the unity we’re building as we move forward together.

Saturday, April 18
10 AM 
via Zoom

Whether you’ve been with us from day one or are just getting involved, I hope you’ll join us. Your voice is what will drive this campaign forward to November.

Register Now!