Wednesday, October 25, 2023
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In this Issue: Governor Pritzker Praises State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart at Lake County Event Monday ● National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month ● Biden (and Other) Petitions Are In! ● Lake County Elected Officials Condemn Hamas Attacks ● Congratulations to State Representative Bob Morgan ● Lake Dems Attend Recent Events ● Volunteer Spotlight ● ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) ● Upcoming Events
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Governor Pritzker Praises State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart at Lake County Event Monday
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On Monday night, Governor JB Pritzker visited Lake County to support the re-election campaign of State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart. In front of a large and enthusiastic crowd of Eric’s supporters, the Governor spoke very highly of him. He recalled seeing Eric at a community forum immediately following the Highland Park tragedy on July 4, and how he “commanded the room as he explained what needed to be done.” JB pointed out Eric’s courageous support of criminal justice reform, and also praised Lake County as a beacon of hope for Democratic values and recognized that so much effort had been put in for so many years to turn Lake County blue.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul also expressed admiration for Eric, praised his dedication to doing the right thing for the people of Lake County, and urged everyone to work as hard as possible to re-elect him.
Eric singled out his parents, who had come up from Vermillion County, Illinois, as the source of his commitment to public service. He said he hoped he was living up to their example as community leaders. One major way he has done this is to put into action the Democratic Party’s commitment to fairness, equity, and justice. “Money cannot be at the heart of our criminal justice system,” he said about the recently implemented bail reform system that prevents wealthy violent offenders from buying their way out of pre-trial detention. He also reiterated his support for the assault weapons ban passed by the state legislature. “We can end this uniquely American tragedy of gun violence,” he pledged.
He also promised that the Lake County State’s Attorney’s office will not be complicit in enforcing other states’ abortion restrictions. And he noted that his office will always enforce labor laws, to the delight of the crowd, which included many labor union members.
Attendees at the event also signed Eric’s petitions to get him on the ballot for re-election. If you want to sign or circulate petitions for Eric, reply to this email and we will make sure to get them to you.
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National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month
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Click here to read the White House proclamation on National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month. No one should have to struggle with substance use alone. Every young person deserves to live a full and healthy life and have every opportunity to reach their highest potential.
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Biden (and Other) Petitions Are In!
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Lake Dems has Biden re-election petitions! If you want to make sure President Biden is back in the White House, collecting signatures for him so he can appear on the ballot in 2024 is one way to do that.
And, of course, we have petitions for the offices that are on Lake County ballots next year (President, Congress, State’s Attorney, Circuit Court Clerk, Coroner, State Senator, State Representative, County Board Member, Water Reclamation Trustee). Thanks so much to those of you who’ve already collected signatures. Whether you’ve filled dozens of pages and are going out for more, or if you’re just getting started, please reply to this email and let us know 1) which candidates you’ll gather signatures for, and 2) your address so we can get them to you!
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Lake County Elected Officials Condemn Hamas Attacks
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In a statement released last week, all 19 members of the Lake County Board and seven countywide elected officials “unequivocally” condemned the Hamas attacks on Israeli citizens.
Click here to read the statement in its entirety.
Many other Democratic elected officials have released comments. Here are just a few of them:
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Congratulations to State Representative Bob Morgan
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Representative Morgan was recently selected as one of 19 leaders from across the country to join The NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders), an organization committed to lifting up the best elected officials.
We congratulate Bob on this well-deserved honor. Click here if you’d like to read more about the NewDEAL and its members.
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Lake Dems Attend Recent Events
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Coalition to Reduce Recidivism 20th Annual Awards Luncheon
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It was a full house in Gurnee as Lake Dems, elected officials, and candidates gathered in support of the work the Coalition does to assist people with criminal records in becoming productive members of the community by providing employment and supportive services that will enable self-sufficiency.
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Pictured above left, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart received the Courageous Leadership Award. Above right, Founder of B.A.M.M. (Black Abolition Movement for the Mind) Chris “Brotha” Blanks, received the Coalition’s Valiant Warrior of the Year award.
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Dozens of Lake County Democrats attended the event. (Lake Dems was a sponsor.)
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Fremont Township Democrats Dessert and Democracy
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Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim, State Rep. Daniel Didech, Fremont Township Dems Chair Matt Lowry and Waukegan Park District Board member Anton Mathews gathered petition signatures in Mundelein.
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Mano a Mano Hispanic Heritage Celebration Gala
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Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega not only MC’ed the event but also received the Orgullo Hispano Award, given to celebrate and recognize his contributions, achievements, and support of the Latino community. Also attending and pictured with Anthony above are (left to right) Adriane Johnson, Holly Kim, Esiah Campos, Jennifer Clark, Eric Rinehart, John Wasik, and Laura Faver Dias. Anthony was joined by his family (in the photo above right.)
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Fiesta en Campestre Reception for Lake County Board Candidate Esiah Campos
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Joining Esiah Campos were fellow Lake County Democrats, Chair Lauren Beth Gash, County Board Member Marah Altenberg, State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, and Vice Chair Nancy Shepherdson.
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2023 NAACP Annual Freedom Fund Gala
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Many Lake County leaders attended the NAACP Annual Freedom Fund Gala where Lake Dems Chair Lauren Beth Gash received the NAACP Outstanding Service Award and recently received the Woman of the Year award from the Lake County Branch.
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Ela Township Democrats Petition-Signing Event
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Ela Township Democrats drive-through petition event was a success, gathering many signatures for our candidates, including President Biden.
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BG Pride’s Coming Out Day Celebration
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Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega expressed his gratitude to the entire Pinta Family for what they do to build an inclusive community! He attended the National Coming Out Day celebration in Buffalo Grove this past weekend and said, “Like always, it was a blast!”
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Lake Dems is grateful for our many active volunteers. Click here if you’re interested in helping.
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This week we recognize Lin Boock, a new and already invaluable member of our Comms team. She manages email communications within the social media team and we are so grateful for her help.
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ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
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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.
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