October 26, 2022
In this Issue: Early Voting Underway Across Lake County ● Lake Dems Fundraiser Hits All the Right Notes ● Sheriff Idleburg Fundraiser Features Kwame Raoul ● We’re Moving On Up ● Wauconda Democrats Tackle Trash ● Volunteer Spotlight ● In Case You Missed It ● Upcoming Events
.
.
.
Yard signs are in full bloom in front of Architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Willits House in Lake County as early voting begins at 18 locations.
Early Voting Underway Across Lake County
Early voting began Monday at 18 sites across Lake County. Our Lake Dems/Tenth Dems Election Protection Team had pollwatchers at the opening of all 18 sites, ensuring that the machines counting ballots started at zero and that the no-electioneering zone was properly demarcated, among other things. They also checked out Drop Box placement to be sure that voters could return their mail-in ballots easily and that the Drop Boxes were within the line of sight of Election Judges.
At opening, machines at two polling places weren’t functioning properly. Pollwatchers also noted understaffing of Election Judges at two busy sites, which caused lines to build both at Check-In and at the Ballot Issue Judge’s table. Our Election Protection Legal Coordinators have reported those and other concerns to the County Clerk’s office. Election Protection Team volunteers will be revisiting these sites throughout Early Voting.
If you’d like to help with pollwatching, register for our October 30 virtual training here. We’ll be making Election Day pollwatching assignments soon. Once again, we’ll be offering attorneys 1.5 hours of CLE (Continuing Legal Education) credit (non-attorneys welcome).
.
.
Judge Elizabeth Rochford, candidate for the Illinois Supreme Court, was among the speakers at the Lake Dems Shades of Blue annual fundraiser on October 20. More photos are below, following the Upcoming Events listings. (Photos by Quenton Galvin)
.
Lake Dems Fundraiser Hits All the Right Notes
Last Thursday evening was a banner night for Lake County Democrats, as more than 150 Democrats, candidates, and elected national, state, and local officials filled the ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Deerfield for our annual fundraiser.
Among the many highlights of the evening were the presentations to Luis Rivas, Jr. as Labor Leader of the Year, Lake Villa Township Democratic Chair Kasia Kondracki as Volunteer of the Year, and Sheriff John Idleburg as recipient of our Leadership Award for his outstanding work as Sheriff and heroic actions in Highland Park on July 4th.
After hearing from the award winners, Congresspersons Brad Schneider and Jan Schakowsky, Illinois Supreme Court Candidate Judge Elizabeth Rochford, Appellate Court Candidate Judge Chris Kennedy, Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and many others, we were joined via Zoom by Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy.
Senator Murphy, a leading national voice for gun violence prevention since the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in the U.S. House District he represented at the time, delivered a thoughtful and well-received presentation.
He spoke not only about the recent gun safety legislation that Congress passed and President Biden signed, but also about what else needs to be done in light of the seemingly never-ending succession of gun violence incidents, such as occurred in Highland Park on the Fourth of July. At the end of his talk, Senator Murphy was kind enough to take several questions from the audience. Although he was the final speaker of the evening, not a single person left before he was done.
All in all, the evening was a great motivator to all of us to work as hard as we can to get all our wonderful Democratic candidates across the finish line in just two weeks.
Lots More Shades of Blue Fundraiser Photos Are Below the Upcoming Events
Sheriff Idleburg Fundraiser Features Kwame Raoul
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, third from left, joined an event in Buffalo Grove supporting Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg’s re-election. With Sheriff Idleburg, left, and Kwame Raoul at the October 23 gathering were State Senator Adriane Johnson and State Representative Bob Morgan. Looking on is Jim Neel, Chair of the Warren Township Democrats.
.
We’re Moving On Up!
We’ve moved one block up from our old Lake Dems Waukegan Headquarters and are now at 228A N. Genesee St.
Volunteers gathered recently at the new office to plan campaign strategy.
.
Wauconda Democrats Tackle Trash
The Wauconda Township Democrats cleanup crew included Barbara Brown, Jake Hadden (front), Candidate for State Representative Mary Morgan, John Morgan, Addison Morgan, Genevieve Severson, Dennis Leslie, Bruce Christensen, and Judy Christensen.
Volunteer Spotlight
Lake Dems is grateful for our many active volunteers:
To say that Susann Chung is a super-volunteer is a massive understatement. Whether it is writing postcards, gathering petition signatures, helping stuff literature bags and envelopes, canvassing, or just otherwise helping out, Susann has done and continues to do it all. She has made a tremendous difference to the Fremont Democrats as well as to the Lake County Democrats. We’re lucky to have her!
In Case You Missed It
Sen. Duckworth Meets with Coalition to Stop Canadian Pacific–Kansas City Southern Merger
“A Model for Others,” Congressman Schneider Endorsed By Papers for Bipartisan Work
Upcoming Events
Events below are taken from the complete list of Upcoming Events at LakeDems.org/events. To submit your event for consideration, click here.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 26
Join Governor JB Pritzker and Lake Dems for a Rally to Elect Democrats on Wednesday! Yard signs and walk lists available. RSVP. Noon, Waukegan. More.
League of Women Voters (LWV) Candidate Forum with Senate Candidate Maria Peterson. 7pm, Palatine. More.
THURSDAY, OCT. 27
Live4Lali’s Annual Fundraiser. 5:30-8:30pm, Schaumburg. More.
Warren Township Democrats October Meeting. 7pm, Gurnee. More.
FRIDAY, OCT. 28
Lake Dems/Judge Rochford Canvass in Lake Bluff. From 3-5pm. More.
SATURDAY, OCT. 29
Knocking on Doors with Lake County Candidates. 1pm, Gurnee. State Rep. Joyce Mason, Sheriff John Idleburg, Treasurer Holly Kim, Candidate for Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega, and Regional School Superintendent Dr. Michael Karner talk to voters in House District 61. More.
Day of Action in Fremont. 1-4pm, Mundelein. More.
NAACP Freedom Fund Gala. 6-10pm, Wheeling. More.
SUNDAY, OCT. 30
Meet and Greet with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. 2:30-4:30pm, Barrington. More.
Tenth Dems, Lake Dems Zoom Presentation: “How To Be A Pollwatcher.” From 4-5:30pm, online. More.
TUESDAY, NOV. 1
“One Week Out” Fundraiser for Congressman Brad Schneider. 6-7:30pm, Northbrook. More.
THURSDAY, NOV. 3
University Center of Lake County Open House. 6-8pm, Grayslake. More.
TUESDAY, NOV. 8
Free Election Night Watch Party. 7pm, Mundelein. More.
.
Lake Dems Shades of Blue Fundraiser Photos
The crowd heard from local, state, and federal Democratic candidates at the Shades of Blue Fundraiser.
Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg received the Leadership Award (and a standing ovation) for his excellent work as Sheriff and heroic actions in Highland Park on July 4th.
Congressman Brad Schneider motivated the crowd to work to get out the vote.
Luis Rivas, Jr. of the National Association of Letter Carriers, second from left, was honored as Labor Leader of the Year for his work helping turn our area blue. With him from left, are Lauren Beth Gash; Brian Dupuis, 10th Congressional District Legislative Liaison for the Illinois State Association of Letter Carriers and Lake County Precinct Committeeperson, who presented the award; Nancy Shepherdson; and Barbara Altman.
Lake Villa Township Democratic Chair Kasia Kondracki was named Volunteer of the Year.
Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs was among the statewide candidates addressing the group.
Waukegan Township Democratic Chair Matt Muchowski and Lake County Democrats Chair Lauren Beth Gash were in full campaign mode.
Judge Chris Kennedy, running for the Appellate Court, discussed his race and encouraged everyone to work to elect Democrats.
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, whose newly drawn district includes parts of Lake County, spoke to the group before introducing Senator Chris Murphy.
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy addressed the gathering and took questions from the crowd. The conversation was held via Zoom.
State Representative Rita Mayfield’s closing call to action energized attendees to redouble their efforts in the final weeks of the campaign.
.
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 or send a check payable to Lake County Democrats to P.O. Box 671, Lake Zurich, IL 60047. Questions? Contact info@lakedems.org.
.
