If you're not already involved with your local dem party organization, this is the perfect way to start. Check first to see if there is already a captain/committeeperson in your precinct, and if not, DUers should file for these spots.
You will need two documents, both of which can be downloaded from the State Board of Elections website:
1) A
statement of candidacy; and
2) A
nominating petition, on which you will have to collect ten signatures of Dem voters in your precinct. (You can be one of the signatures. Add your significant other and your immediate neighbors, and chances are you're already over halfway there.)
They will need to be notarized once completed (wait to sign at the bottom until you have the notary), and filed with your local county clerk anytime
between December 12 and 19.
There are also downloadable explanations of all of this at the state elections site:
http://www.elections.state.il.us/ You'll want the section on "Election Information."
This is how you really get to have a voice in your party...