January 26, 2022
In this issue: How Illinois is Stronger Today ● Volunteer Spotlight ● Taking on inflation, President Biden meets with White House Competition Council ● On the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a constitutional question emerges: Are women still people? ● Upcoming Events
Pritzker Points:
How Illinois Is Stronger Today
After years of falling behind, Illinois is stronger today than any time in recent history:
- Outperformed neighboring states and all the most populous states during the pandemic, keeping more people alive and safe while supporting families and small businesses through the pandemic induced recession
- Enacted balanced budgets every year and received credit upgrades for the first time in two decades, lowering interest rates and improving Illinois’ finances
- Paid down state’s bill backlog and eliminated late bill payment, saving taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars
- Improving state finances assist Illinois universities and community colleges in achieving credit rating upgrades
- Increased state funding of K-12 education while expanding early childhood education and childcare and awarding more college scholarships to Illinois students
- Reformed police and firefighter pension funds to increase assets and reduce the burden on property taxpayers
- Made strategic bipartisan investments to modernize roads, bridges, schools and broadband – investing for the future while creating and supporting good jobs now
Volunteer Spotlight
Lake Dems is grateful for our many active volunteers, including the following:
Gail Ballengee leads the Lake County Democrats Petition Management Committee, which has established a Central Storage Point for 2022 candidate petitions. If Democratic township chairs, precinct committeepersons, or volunteers need candidate petitions, Gail can be contacted at info@lakedems.org. The committee can provide notaries if needed and collect completed petitions to return to candidates. We can often transport petitions, as well. Gail is also the Democratic Township Chair and a precinct committeeperson in Wauconda Township. In a little more than a year, Gail has led the build-up of the township organization from nonexistent to vibrant and active.
Upcoming Events
Events below are taken from the complete list of Upcoming Events at LakeDems.org/events. Click here to submit your event.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 26
Indivisible Illinois and ILVOTE Present Prepping for the 2022 Midterms. Presentation on the Illinois Supreme Court by Julie Sampson (Citizen Action/Illinois) and Ed Mullen (Election Attorney). 7:30-9pm on Zoom. For link and more.
THURSDAY, JAN. 27
Fremont Dems Donkey Fest Fundraiser. Live music and food to buy. Candidates welcome. Petitions will be available to sign and distribute. 6-10pm, Mundelein. To RSVP and more.
Warren Township Democrats January Meeting. Online discussion to include precinct maps, petition drives and petitions available for circulation, and results from the Holiday Fundraiser. Guest speakers: Laura Dias and Tom Maillard, Democratic candidates for State Representative District 62. For meeting link and more.
SATURDAY, JAN. 29
Virtual Celebration with JB Pritzker and Illinois House Speaker Welch in support of the Lake County House Delegation. Featuring Representatives Jonathan Carroll, Dan Didech, Joyce Mason, Rita Mayfield, Bob Morgan, and Sam Yingling. 6:30pm online. Special guests: Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch. To register and more.
SUNDAY, JAN. 30
Snack & Sign (& Notarize) with Lake County Democrats. Pick up or sign petitions for candidates in Lake County – or get some notarized. Precinct Committeeperson petitions also will be available. Maps will be available to help you figure out your new precinct. Snacks and beverages provided. Noon-2pm, Gurnee. More.
Round Lake Beach Petition Drive. Sign petitions for John Idleburg for Sheriff, Holly Kim for Treasurer, Anthony Vega for Clerk, and other Democratic candidates. Coffee and pastries provided. 2-4pm. More..
Afternoon of Action Collecting Signatures for State Representative Candidate Laura Faver Dias. Attendees will meet in Libertyville and knock on Dem friendly doors to gather signatures. Training, handwarmers, and hot drinks provided. Two shifts: noon-2pm and 2-4pm. More.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 2
Groundhog Day – Evening Hike with Climate Advocates. Citizens Climate Lobby-Lake County sponsors an evening, solar-lit 1.3-mile hike through Old School Forest Preserve. 6:30-8:30pm. More.
Meeting with Northwest Lake County Democrats to Move Things Forward in 2022. Democrats in Northwest Lake County, an area turning more blue but with more work to do, are meeting (virtually) to discuss how to keep moving forward in 2022. Leaders of the Lake County Democrats will also share ideas and discuss what we can do to help elect more Democrats to offices from Washington to closer to home. 7pm on Zoom. More.
THURSDAY, FEB. 3
Snack & Sign Petition Drive in Zion. Zion and Benton Township Democrats offer an opportunity to sign petitions and grab a snack to go. 6-8pm in Zion. More.
SATURDAY, FEB. 5
Moraine Township Democrats and West Deerfield Township Democrats Petition Day of Action in Highland Park. Attendees may sign petitions and take petitions to circulate. Notaries will be on hand, and coffee and tea will be available. 1-5pm. More.
SUNDAY, FEB. 6
Lake Zurich Love Petition Signing for State Senate Candidate Maria Peterson and State House Candidate Chelsea Laliberte Barnes. Coffee and Valentine-themed donuts served, 1-4pm. More.
State Rep. Candidate Laura Faver Dias Holds Political Pursuit – Virtual Trivia Campaign Kickoff. Online via Zoom, 4-5pm, with special guest State Sen. Melinda Bush. To register and more.
TUESDAY FEB. 8
Deputy Voter Registrar Training in Libertyville. Must be at least 18 years of age and registered to vote in Lake County. Open only to Lake County residents interested in helping register new voters. 3pm, training takes about an hour. If you’re interested in helping organize voter registration, contact Lake Dems at info@lakedems.com. To register online and more.
Newport Township Democrats Monthly Meeting. 7pm. More.
THURSDAY FEB 10
Rep. Jonathan Carroll Campaign Kickoff Fundraiser. 7-9pm, Northbrook. More.
In Case You Missed It
Taking on inflation, President Biden meets with White House Competition Council
On the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a constitutional question emerges: Are women still people?
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.
