August 31, 2022
In this Issue: Why We Need a Democratic County Board ● Expo Highlights Black Businesses ● Voter Registration Drive Organizers Needed ● Winning Elections: Don’t Miss This Training ● Candidate Q&A: Dr. Michael Karner ● Volunteer Spotlight ● In Case You Missed It ● Upcoming Events
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Why We Need a Democratic County Board
By Jennifer Clark
District 15 County Board Member
Since the first-ever Democratic majority Lake County Board was elected in 2018, the Board has dramatically improved its record of fiscal responsibility, increased government transparency, environmental sustainability, and healthy communities.
Action on gun safety was a major break with the past, as the Lake County Board voted overwhelmingly to back state or federal bans on sale or possession of certain weapons.
One of the first things the Board did to improve fiscal responsibility was start recording all County committee meetings so that anyone can see first-hand the discussions and votes taken by Board Members. The Board also now requires a bidder on County contracts to disclose any family relationships or campaign donations to Board Members.
Freezing Property Taxes
The Democratic-led County Board has held the line on property taxes by keeping the County’s portion of the tax levy flat for the past three years. Lake County has a AAA bond rating, which saves taxpayers money. The Board gave grants to help support small businesses during the COVID pandemic.
A clean air ordinance, community solar programs, development of Net Zero building requirements, and a ban on single-use plastics for county operations are some of the many new projects that illustrate Lake County’s leadership in sustainability policies and fighting climate change.
The Board created its first-ever independent Ethics Commission, so now ethics issues are evaluated by an independent commission, not County Board Members.
To increase resident support, the Board helped created the 211 program, a free, confidential service to help Lake County residents find the services and information they need. This hotline was especially important during the COVID pandemic to help residents find assistance.
Paratransit System Launched
After many years of study, the Board created Ride Lake County—the county’s first borderless countywide paratransit system—giving rides to seniors and people with disabilities. Now all eligible Lake County residents can access low-cost rides to work, doctor’s appointments, shopping, and more no matter where they live.
A Crisis Care program was created to help support people experiencing a mental health crisis. It gives a safe place for people in crisis to go for emergency care and a place that law enforcement personnel can take people who need mental health support.
The Democratic Lake County Board has successfully implemented numerous programs and policies that have allowed Lake County residents to live safer, healthier, and fuller lives.
Expo Highlights Black Businesses
Lake Dems volunteers greet visitors at the Black Lives Matter Lake County Black Business Expo in Waukegan on Aug. 27. From left are Democratic intern Drew, Lake Dems Vice Chair Nancy Shepherdson, Gwen Goo-Yates, State Senator Adriane Johnson, and Rubina Khan.
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Precinct committeepersons heard from Lake Dems Chair Lauren Beth Gash (center) and Lake Dems Vice Chair Nancy Shepherdson (left), at a past training session.
Winning Elections: Don’t Miss This Training
Precinct Committeepersons (PCs) are encouraged to join Lake County Democrats for “Winning Elections: Training for Precinct Committeepersons and Grassroots Activists.”
Activists who are not PCs are also welcome to join us for this overview of effective techniques for reaching voters.
This important session will take place at 6pm via Zoom on Tuesday, Sept. 14. Watch for an email to RSVP.
Voter Registration Drive Organizers Needed
We’ve got a great team of voter registrars. if you’re interested in organizing voter registration drives, please email Lake County Democrats at info@lakedems.org. We’re planning voter registration drives and providing Deputy Voter Registrars to schools, places of worship, and other areas where we are invited to sign up new voters. If you’re interested in helping us organize our voter registration drives for the fall, please let us know. We’re planning a meeting in the near future.
Candidate Q&A: Dr. Michael Karner
Why Are You the Best Candidate for Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools?
Since I started serving as the Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools in April 2021, I have been committed to ensuring that all school districts have the support and resources to provide a high-quality education to students.
I have increased communication to school districts by providing weekly communications, monthly newsletters, and an enhanced website. I created the BASE (Behavior Academic and Social Emotional) Program for districts to use as a short-term option to provide services to suspended students and opened a new school facility for the Regional Safe School Program. The Illinois Virtual Schools & Academy was created to provide districts with opportunities to provide asynchronous, distance, hybrid, and synchronous learning to students.
Since I took office, more professional development opportunities for educators have occurred in Lake County on equity, instructional practices, mental health, social and emotional learning (SEL), and trauma-informed practices. I hosted the first countywide School Safety and Educator Conferences.
The Regional Office of Education has increased grant funding by 1,340% while having a balanced Lake County Budget with no new funds. I have applied for over 5 million grant dollars.
If reelected, I will continue to provide new services and opportunities. For the next term, I will maintain current programs and focus on new initiatives such as the countywide Birth to 5 Initiative, Grow Your Own Educator Programs, and Work Based Learning Programs for school districts. My goal has been to provide access and opportunity to our school districts.
I ask for your vote as I continue to ensure that we do what’s best for students.
Volunteer Spotlight
Lake Dems is grateful for our many active volunteers:
Martin Maillard knows how important it is for young people to get in the habit of voting. To make this happen in Lake County, Martin has been organizing voter registration drives at College of Lake County campuses for several years. He arranges everything for the voter registration drives—from coordinating with college officials to creating flyers and setting up shifts for Deputy Voter Registrars. His organizational talents have taken our voter registration efforts to new levels.
In Case You Missed It
Daily Herald opinion: Bailey’s ‘Hellhole’ Comments a Divisive and Detrimental Attention Grab.
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, AUG. 31
Brews & Tacos with State Senator Julie Morrison. 5:30-7pm, Highland Park. More.
How to Run for Local Office. 6pm, online via Zoom. Lake County Democrats and Fremont Township Democrats, with Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim, host a session for those interested in running for a local office. More.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 1
Maria Peterson Day of Action. Noon-7pm, Island Lake. More.
Gina Roberts County Board District 4 Reelection Kickoff. 5:30-8pm, Beach Park. More.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 3
Assessment Appeal Workshop with West Deerfield Township Assessor. 10am, Deerfield. More.
Representative Jonathan Carroll at Wrigley Field for the Lumineers. Concert starts at 6:30pm, Chicago. More.
Lake County Democrats Booth at Buffalo Grove Days. 11am-7pm. Event repeats Sunday and Monday. More.
State Senate Candidate Maria Peterson Booth at Wauconda Street Dance. From 5-11pm. More.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 4
Lake County Democrats Booth at Buffalo Grove Days. 11am-7pm. Event repeats on Monday. More.
Walk with Team Schneider, Candidate Anthony Vega, and Lake County Democrats in the Fiestas Patrias Parade in Round Lake. Line up at 11:30 am at Spot 7. More.
Event in Support of Congressman Brad Schneider. 2-3:30pm, Glencoe. More.
MONDAY, SEPT. 5
Lake County Democrats Booth at Buffalo Grove Days. Noon-4pm. More.
State Representative Dan Didech Hosts Meet and Greet with Judicial Candidates at Buffalo Grove Days. 1-3pm, Buffalo Grove. More.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 6
State Representative Daniel Didech and Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim Open House. 6-8pm, Mundelein. More.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 7
Brad Schneider’s “Congress on Your Corner” in Beach Park. 6pm, in-person and streamed on Facebook. More.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 8
Reception Supporting Judge Chris Kennedy for Appellate Court. 5-6:30pm, Libertyville. More.
Cocktail Party with Brad Schneider and Julie Morrison, Bob Morgan, Jonathan Carroll and Scott Britton. 6:30-8pm, Winnetka. More.
The Myth of “Soft on Crime” with Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart. From 7-8pm, Grayslake. More.
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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 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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