June 8, 2022
In this Issue: Don’t Miss “Democrats Defending Democracy” ● Gun Violence Prevention Effort Unveiled ● Pride on Parade in Lake County ● Volunteer Spotlight ● In Case You Missed It ● Upcoming Events
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Comptroller Susana Mendoza is the keynote speaker at the Lake Dems “Democrats Defending Democracy” fundraiser on June 14.
Don’t Miss “Democrats Defending Democracy”
Hear from Comptroller Susana Mendoza and Strategist Pete Giangreco
There’s still time to buy your ticket to the Lake Dems “Democrats Defending Democracy” reception on Tuesday, June 14.
The dynamic lineup includes a keynote speech from State Comptroller Susana Mendoza and insights from Pete Giangreco, a prominent national political consultant. There will also be opportunities to talk with Democratic candidates running in the June 28 primary election.
You’ll have a great time as you do your part to help Lake Dems with the important work of electing Democrats on this special Flag Day.
The reception is from 5:30-7pm at the Hyatt Regency, 1750 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield. To RSVP, click here.
Gun Violence Prevention Effort Unveiled
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart announces his office’s initiative to prevent gun violence.
Amid growing concern over gun-related deaths, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart has launched a program to prevent gun violence from happening in the first place. Rinehart outlined the key points of the program in an interview recently with News & Notes.
What is this new program?
“The Gun Violence Prevention Initiative (GVPI) is a new program from the State’s Attorney’s Office that will focus on preventing gun violence by:
- Deploying trained violence interrupters to de-escalate street conflicts.
- Connecting case workers and community-based services with at-risk individuals.
- Working with law enforcement professionals to prevent retaliation in identified ‘hot spots.’”
How and when will the new program get started?
“The Gun Violence Prevention Initiative has retained a nationally recognized expert to begin training violence interrupters this summer. Community-based organizations will apply to manage the project and to deploy the interrupters.”
How is the program paid for?
“My team and I started seeking funds from the County Board in 2021 for this program. In March 2022, the County Board allocated $560,000 to the GVPI from federal funds granted to the county under the American Rescue Plan Act. In Apri 2022, the Illinois General Assembly allocated an additional $500,000 to the initiative from the state budget. We have already applied for additional federal and state funds.”
See related article in the Chicago Sun-Times.
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Pride on Parade in Lake County
From left at the Buffalo Grove Pride Parade are State Central Committeewoman Lauren Beth Gash, Judge Chris Kennedy, Congressman Brad Schneider, Lake County Board Member Marah Altenberg, State Senator Julie Morrison, and State Senator Adriane Johnson.
Lake County Democrats celebrating Pride in Buffalo Grove include, from left, Dennis Leslie, State Central Committeewoman Nancy Shepherdson, State Central Committeewoman Lauren Beth Gash, Laurie Schiller, and Ciara and Patrick Leahy and their children.
From left, Patrick Kompare, Debbie Rakestraw, Lake County Chair and State Central Committeewoman Lauren Beth Gash, State Central Committeewoman Nancy Shepherdson, Dennis Leslie, and Kasia Kondracki greet visitors to the Lake Dems booth at Waukegan PrideFest in Waukegan.
Brad Schneider and his supporters are among those showing their colors in the Buffalo Grove Pride Parade, above and below.
Volunteer Spotlight
Lake Dems is grateful for our many active volunteers, including the following:
Matt Lowry, Fremont Township Chair and a longtime Democratic volunteer, excels at recruiting volunteers to canvass, gathering petitions, and helping elect Democrats at all levels of government. Matt assists individual candidates with their campaigns, is a regular at Fremont Township parades, and serves on the committee to refine the online organizing database, VoteBuilder.
In Case You Missed It
Pritzker Says State Now in Compliance With a Law Requiring DNA Evidence in Rape Cases to Be Tested Within Six Months.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday said the Illinois State Police no longer has any DNA evidence from sexual assault cases that has not been tested within six months, a significant improvement from a backlog that existed for years. (See press release from Governor Pritzker’s office.)
Rep. Schneider Announces Community Project Funding Requests.
“These community projects represent programs that, should they be funded by the Appropriations Committee, will benefit wide areas and large numbers of people in the Tenth District,” Rep. Schneider said.
Upcoming Events
Events below are taken from the complete list of Upcoming Events at LakeDems.org/events. To submit your event, click here.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8
Summer Fundraiser for Jessica Vealitzek, Candidate for Re-Election to Lake County Board District 10. 5:30-7:30pm, Mundelein. More.
Democratic Meeting June 8th in Highland Park. 6pm. Questions about voting and Moraine Township Democrats’ endorsements will be answered. More.
Evening Reception for Supreme Court Candidate Nancy Rotering. 5:30-7:30pm, Chicago. More.
FRIDAY, JUNE 10
Birthday Reception in Support of Mary Edly-Allen, Candidate for State Senate District 31. 5:30-7:30pm, Libertyville. More.
SATURDAY, JUNE 11
Indivisible Western Lake County (IWLC) Roadside Clean-up. 9:30-11:30am, Gurnee. More.
Fremont Township Democrats Day of Action Canvass. 1-4pm, Mundelein. More.
March for Our Lives Highland Park. 2:30-4:30pm, Highland Park. This will be a peaceful march and rally to protest gun violence. More.
SUNDAY, JUNE 12
PFLAG Grayslake/Round Lake Pride Parade. Staging begins at 10:30am. Step off at noon. Grayslake. More.
Jennifer Banek and Jennifer Clark Hold “Get the Scoop” Ice Cream Fundraiser. 1-3pm, Libertyville. More.
West Deerfield Township Democratic Organization (WDTDO) Spring Picnic. From 1-4pm, Deerfield. Picnic features elected officials and candidates, food and drinks, and kid-friendly activities. More.
MONDAY, JUNE 13
Antioch & Grant Township Democrats June Meeting. 6:30-8pm, online. More.
TUESDAY, JUNE 14
Lake Dems Reception, Democrats Defending Democracy. 5:30-7pm, Deerfield.
Speakers: State Comptroller Susana Mendoza and national political consultant Pete Giangreco. More.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15
Women for Nancy Reception for Nancy Rotering. 5:30-7:30pm, Highland Park. More.
Wauconda Township Democrats June Meeting. 6-7pm, on Zoom. Speaker: Shawn Killackey, candidate for Lake County Board District 2. More.
Roe vs. Wade: History, Status & the Jewish Perspective. 7-8:15pm, Northfield. A presentation of Temple Jeremiah’s Social Justice Committee. More.
THURSDAY, JUNE 16
Pride Celebration with Lake County Clerk Candidate Anthony Vega. 6-8pm, Highwood. 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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