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My Week in Springfield: A Tenth Dems Intern’s View

 

By Matthew Sprenger

Over this past week, Tenth Dem interns were given a chance to take a field trip to our state capital, Springfield. (NOTE: To apply or request more information on becoming an intern, email us at info@tenthdems.org.) During the trip, we visited the Abraham Lincoln Library, as well as the Abraham Lincoln Museum. As we walked around these locations, interns were able to learn more about the history of our country during the Civil War and the personal life of one of our great leaders.

We were also able to tour the Illinois State Capitol building, including the Illinois House Chamber and a hearing room that once served as the Old Supreme Court. In the evening, interns attended numerous events around Springfield at which we met many Illinois elected officials, including Illinois Speaker of the House Chris Welch and Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.

In the morning, interns got an early start to help staff the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association (IDCCA) Annual Brunch with 1,500 people in attendance. Interns checked people in, guided guests to their seats, and had the opportunity to hear from numerous prominent elected officials, including Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, and from Illinois, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, and Governor JB Pritzker.

After the brunch, we attended the Governor’s Day picnic at the Illinois State Fair, where we had a remarkable opportunity to actually meet and briefly speak with Governor Pritzker.

Thank you to our volunteer tour guides who came with us to Springfield (though all of our interns who traveled were over 18) and to the other Lake Dems volunteers and elected officials who joined us. With so many of us in attendance, we presented a sea of our Lake Dems blue shirts* all over Springfield.

*Tenth Dems interns were wearing Lake Dems shirts because they volunteered at the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association (IDCCA) Annual Brunch.

Tenth Dems Volunteers Attend Events to Support Democrats in Lake County

Tenth Dems University Continues Popular “Let’s Talk Politics” Series

Tenth Dems University has been sponsoring Let’s Talk Politics events across the 10th Congressional District, most recently on July 15th in Waukegan and on July 25th in Highland Park. Both events were well-attended–the church “parlor” in Highland Park was filled to near-capacity with some 45 participants. Conversations were lively and ranged from local zoning issues to turning out voters to existential threats to our democracy.

The July 25th Let’s Talk Politics was co-sponsored by Lake County Democrats and Moraine Township Dems. Tenth Dems is looking forward to continuing this popular series in other 10th District locations. If you are interested in helping to bring Let’s Talk Politics to your community, email us at info@tenthdems.org.

Tenth Dems Interns Pitch In

Tenth Dems interns were critical to the success of the Democratic booth at the Lake County Fair July 26-30.  Many of the over 30 Summer 2023 Tenth Dems interns helped with Fair setup/takedown and staffing the booth along with both Lake Dems and Tenth Dems volunteers.  At least 1,000 people visited the booth, received information, conversation and purchased merchandise at this five day event.

Highland Park: A Note From Lauren Beth Gash One Year Later

Dear Friends,

As another July 4th approaches, our thoughts inevitably turn to what we lost a year ago. While multi-generational families from various Lake County communities lined the streets in Highland Park on a beautiful Fourth of July to watch a parade and celebrate our nation, a single gunman murdered seven, injured many dozens more, and shattered the lives of countless others.

Now, one year later, our pain has not subsided. Our hearts ache for a child who will grow up without parents, for those who are permanently physically injured, and for those whose emotional wounds will never fully heal. We’re grateful that our legislature passed and our governor signed into law an assault weapons ban that will make another such event in our state far less likely, but we’re at a loss to understand why similar measures to ban assault weapons and large-capacity magazines haven’t been enacted nationwide.

Next week, we celebrate the Fourth of July with barbeques, parades, and fireworks, and many of us will participate in a solemn remembrance ceremony and community walk in Highland Park.

Let’s renew our determination to continue working to reduce gun violence. Let’s work to elect Democrats who have the wisdom to prioritize our right to be safer when we shop, attend school, and gather for celebrations in our communities.

Tenth Dems Founder, Lauren Beth Gash

P.S. This is what I posted on July 4th last year:

The mass shooting at the Highland Park, Illinois parade today was just so awful…

Click here to read more.