Tength Congressional District Democrats

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

In this Issue: Have You Voted Yet? ● Did You Catch the State of the Union Address? ● Moraine Township Democrats Holds Annual Spring Forward Reception ● Looking for a Summer Internship That Will Make a Difference? ● Walk with Lake Dems and Lake Villa Dems in the St. Pat’s Day Parade ● March is Women’s History Month ● Lake Dems Attend Events ● Volunteer Spotlight ● Upcoming Events

Shown above is Greg Baron, son of Lake Dems Data Manager Roger Baron, voting early.

You don’t have to wait until election day to vote. As pictured above, early voting sites are open across the county. Find your early voting site here. If you have a Vote by Mail ballot, please be sure to fill it out, sign the envelope, and mail or place it in the drop box at any early voting site. (Need 24-hour access? Find 24-hour drop box locations here.)

Voting in primaries lets Democratic officials know we’ll have their backs on things Democrats care about, like preserving democracy and reproductive rights.   

The 2024 Primary Election is March 19. Find your Election Day polling place here.

President Biden’s 2024 State of the Union address made clear what we already know: President Biden is so much better than Donald Trump! Democrats can be proud of the top of the ticket in 2024 while Republican candidates will have to answer for their chaotic, indictment-plagued, and out-of-touch party leader.

Here are a few key takeaways from the address:

–  President Biden is building the economy “from the middle out and the bottom up.” His efforts have resulted in the lowest unemployment rate in 54 years and a record number of jobs created. 

–  Joe Biden is defending precious freedoms under attack: voting and reproductive rights at home, and democracy abroad.

–  Donald Trump tried to destroy Obamacare, and now Republicans want to make big cuts to Social Security and Medicare, which would cause catastrophic repercussions for millions of Americans. President Biden will not let that happen.

–  President Biden has signed bills addressing gun violence prevention, climate change, lower prescription prices, and so much more. He values getting the important things done while knowing there’s more to do.

–  Joe Biden reminds us of what we can do, that our country is about progress, possibilities, and resilience.

–  They’re both older candidates. You might’ve heard that once or twice. But President Biden has the values, record, wisdom, and character to move us forward, not backward. 

Joe Biden reminded us of what Democrats have accomplished thus far, and what we can achieve going forward. We must put in the work to elect Democrats up and down the ballot, including Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Let’s go do it! As President Biden said, “History is watching.”

You can watch the 2024 State of the Union Address in its entirety here.

Moraine Township Dems packed the room to listen to Democrats speak about how we CANNOT GO BACK on protecting reproductive rights, preventing gun violence, and preserving our democracy! About 75 people enjoyed great bagels and cookies as they were energized by our inspiring Democratic speakers, candidates, and supporters. Thanks to all who joined us.

Speakers included State Senator Julie Morrison, Representative Bob Morgan, State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, Circuit Court Clerk Erin Cartwright Weinstein, Coroner Jennifer Banek, County Clerk Anthony Vega, County Treasurer Holly Kim, Lake Dems Chair Lauren Beth Gash, and County Board Members Paul Frank and Paras Parekh. Also speaking were Tenth Dems Intern Mike Raviv and Lake Dems Community Engagement Chair Rachel Jacoby.

Looking for a Summer Internship That Will Make a Difference?

If you have progressive values and are looking for a summer internship that will make a difference, have we got a deal for you! Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats (Tenth Dems) is now accepting applications for its Summer 2024 Internship Program. 

The internship is a substantive program designed for high school, college, and graduate/law students seeking an opportunity to become deeply engaged in the political process.

Tenth Dems interns provide support for Lake, Cook, and McHenry County Democratic events, candidates, and elected officials.

Pictured with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are many of our young Democratic interns who assisted with the event.

Residency in the 10th Congressional District is not required but applicants must have an interest in electing Democrats and be able to devote a minimum of 16 hours per week to the internship during the summer.

Applicants should submit a brief paragraph explaining why they would like to be part of the program, along with a resume summarizing their educational background and activities. Neither need to be formal. Acceptance into the program is selective and contingent upon an interview. To apply or request more information, please reply to this email, or send to info@tenthdems.org with “internship” in the subject line.

Let’s have a strong Democratic showing at the Lake Villa St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Join Lake Dems and Lake Villa Democrats in the wearin’ of the blue. (Wear a Lake Dems t-shirt if you have one; we’ll have more.) RSVP if you can join us: lakevillatownshipdems@gmail.com.

In honor of Women’s History Month, Lake Dems celebrates women in our past, present, and future who have led and will continue to lead with strength and courage to protect the values important to Democrats.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962), wife of President Franklin Roosevelt, was a key figure in several of the most important social reform movements of the twentieth century: the Progressive Movement, the New Deal, the Women’s Movement, the struggle for racial justice, and the United Nations. She developed her own political network and liberal ideology. 

She became a decisive voice inside the White House for appointing women to positions in the administration, improving the plight of the unemployed, and addressing concerns of the youth in America. She was the first chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, advocating diligently for the civil liberties and needs of the poor, minorities, and the disadvantaged. She continued her political activities after the death of FDR in 1945 in such areas as the new United Nations and the civil rights movement.

Tammy Duckworth (b. 1968), a United States Senator from Illinois, is a true trailblazer. Born in Thailand and raised in Hawaii, she attended college at the University of Hawaii and earned a Master of Arts in International Affairs from George Washington University. It was there that she joined the U.S. Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corp and became a commissioned officer in 1992. In 2004, Duckworth was deployed to Iraq as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot for the Illinois Army National Guard when her helicopter was hit by an RPG and she lost her legs and partial use of her right arm. Duckworth is the first Thai American woman elected to Congress, the first person born in Thailand elected to Congress, the first woman with a disability elected to Congress, the first female double amputee in the Senate, and the first senator to give birth while in office. She is the second Asian American woman to serve in the Senate. She is a champion for women’s reproductive rights, including protecting IVF, the procedure that made her a mother. Just last week, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth filed a bill in the U.S. Senate that would have established federal protections for IVF that would override any state policy that attempted to curb it. Republicans blocked this bill.

Carol Moseley Braun (b. 1947) served in the United States Senate from 1993 to 1999 as a Democrat from Illinois. Born in Chicago, Moseley Braun came of age during the civil rights movement and pursued a career in law. She became an Illinois state representative in 1977 and then served four years as Recorder of Deeds for Cook County, the first African American elected to a Cook County executive position. In 1992 she defeated both the Democratic incumbent and the Republican challenger for a seat in the U.S. Senate, the first woman to defeat an incumbent U.S. Senator in the primaries for the nomination by a major party, the first female senator from Illinois and the first African American woman to serve in the Senate. In 1993 she was the first female senator to wear pants onto the floor – against the rules at that time. Due to her actions, the rule was changed within the year (but you still had to wear a jacket). As a senator, Moseley Braun sponsored progressive education bills and campaigned for gun control. In 1999 she became the U.S. ambassador to New Zealand, a position she held until 2001. Moseley Braun was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president in 2004 but withdrew before the Iowa caucuses.

Visit WomensHistoryMonth.gov to read more about the vital contributions of women in our nation’s history.

Brad Schneider’s Women for Brad Luncheon, May 19, 2024

Save the date and join Congressman Brad Schneider at his 2024 Women for Brad Luncheon in Northbrook. Special guest to be announced. Doors open at 11:00am. RSVP here. For additional information, contact Eli Krule at eli@schneiderforcongress.com.

Jan Schakowsky’s Annual Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch, Friday, May 10, 2024

You’re invited to join Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky for her 2024 Annual Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch. Register here to join our Lake Dems tables for this inspiring event! Enter Lake Dems or Lauren Beth Gash in the Specific Table Request field (which pops up after payment) when you register.

We are grateful to our Democratic township organizations that send event photos to info@lakedems.org for sharing in our newsletter. Have an event coming up? Please click here to submit your event for posting on our website and in this publication.

Lake Villa Dems Monthly Meeting 

Lake Villa Township Democrats hosted Lake County Dems Chair Lauren Beth Gash and Vice Chair Nancy Shepherdson who led a discussion on voter contact and persuasion tips.

Ela Township Chairs Booth at Lake Zurich Chamber Expo 

Ela Dems and Lake County elected officials talked to a constant flow of residents at the Lake Zurich Chamber Expo. Pictured left to right are Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim, Lake County Board Member Esiah Campos, Candidate for Lake County Board District 2 Hilary Winiarz, State Representative Nabeela Syed, Lake County Dems Vice Chair Nancy Shepherdson, and Ela Library Board Trustee Alicia Timm.

Lake Dems is grateful for our many active volunteers. Click here if you’re interested in helping.

Attorney Sheldon Solow is a long-time leader of our Lake Dems/Tenth Dems Election Protection Team. The team continues to work on the March 19 primary election to ensure that everyone eligible to vote is allowed to vote. On election day, Shel will be going back and forth between troubleshooting at our Election Protection headquarters (live and virtual), and going out to polling places if problems arise. As we near November, he will once again be one of the trainers for our team of more than 100 lawyers, paralegals, and others trained in election law who will be monitoring the polls throughout Lake County and the Tenth Congressional District. We’re so fortunate to have Shel’s knowledge, experience, and skill supporting our team.

WEDNESDAY, MAR. 13

Fremont Township Democrats March Meeting. 6:00pm, Mundelein. More.

SATURDAY, MAR. 16

St. Patrick’s Day Parade with Lake Dems and Lake Villa Democrats.

Gather: 11:30am; Step off: Noon, Lake Villa. More.

Information Forum for Families of Adults with Disabilities. 2:00pm, Gurnee. More.

Cookies and Conversation at Lake County Democratic Waukegan Headquarters During ArtWauk. 5:00pm, Waukegan. More.

SUNDAY, MAR. 17

Durbin Victory Fund Reception for Senator Durbin. 5:30pm, Chicago. More.

TUESDAY, MAR. 19

ELECTION DAY!!!

WEDNESDAY, MAR. 20

Wauconda Township Democrats March Meeting. 7pm, online via Zoom. More.

For the complete list of Upcoming Events, go to lakedems.org/events. Click here to submit your event for consideration.

How Do I Join Lake County Democrats?

Lake County Democrats is made up of people like you, people who are passionate about building better communities and a better world. We’re a grassroots political organization, working with Democrats in all parts of Lake County – from Antioch to Highland Park, Libertyville to Waukegan, Barrington to Zion. Become a member online now (individual: $35/couples $60 – though more is always appreciated), or send a check payable to Lake County Democrats to P.O. Box 671, Lake Zurich, IL 60047. Questions? Contact info@lakedems.org.