March 16, 2022
In this Issue: Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Lake Villa ● Record Numbers of Democrats File Petitions to Be Precinct Committeepersons ● Honoring Local Civil Rights Heroes ● Join Our Election Protection Team ● Volunteer Spotlight ● In Case You Missed It ● Upcoming Events
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Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Lake Villa
Democratic candidates and supporters showed their colors at a chilly St. Patrick’s Day parade in Lake Villa on Saturday, March 12.
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Record Numbers of Democrats File Petitions to Be Precinct Committeepersons
Monday was the last day for candidates to file petitions to get on the ballot, and we have already bested the Republicans. A total of 221 Democrats submitted their petitions to be Precinct Committeepersons (PCs), while only 157 Republicans did so.
In addition, the number of Democratic Precinct Committeepersons who filed this year exceeds the previous record year of 2020 and far exceeds the filings by Democratic PCs in 2018.
We thank everyone who stepped up to run for PC this year. Stay tuned for a training session this spring!
Honoring Local Civil Rights Heroes
Congressman Brad Schneider hosted a fireside chat during Black History Month with local leader and civic activist Brotha Blanks. Mr. Blanks had previously shared with Congressman Schneider the story of his late grandfather, Rev. H.D. Darby, who was instrumental in helping secure the right to vote for Black people in the South in the 1958 landmark case of Darby v. Daniel.
Above, Congressman Schneider presents Brotha Blanks and his family with a formal copy of the Congressional Record statement honoring his grandfather’s life and achievements. More.
Join Our Election Protection Team
Democrats believe that everyone eligible to vote should be allowed to vote. If you want to play a significant role in ensuring that this happens, our Election Protection Team is the place for you.
As we gear up for the November election fight against Republicans (who enact policies and voter suppression laws to prevent people from voting), we’re looking for people to fill these positions:
- Pollwatchers, attorneys, paralegals, and law students are needed to make sure the polls are monitored and that everyone eligible to vote is allowed to vote. Training is available, and attorneys can receive Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit.
- Leaders—two to three people to help manage our Election Protection Team.
- Attorneys to help with candidate petitions, filing, and compliance issues.
- Volunteers (attorneys, CPAs, and bookkeepers encouraged) to serve as treasurers to handle quarterly campaign finance filings for our Democratic candidates.
- Democratic Voter Assistance Hotline attorneys (with CLE training available) to field questions about voting.
Let us know if you can help by replying to this email or by emailing info@lakedems.org, and tell us which positions interest you.
In Case You Missed It
Lake County Launches Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program
A new innovative program that encourages commercial property owners to make energy efficient improvements is now available in Lake County.
Volunteer Spotlight
Lake Dems is grateful for our many active volunteers, including the following:
Longtime volunteer Valerie Pape of Kildeer helps keep our advanced data management systems up-to-date in order to communicate with volunteers and members to help elect Democrats. Val even represents Lake County with Lauren Beth Gash by helping manage volunteers at a key annual Democratic event in Springfield. It’s a big job, but Val handles it cheerfully, efficiently, and accurately. Val is a crucial part of our fundraising and communications.
Upcoming Events
Events below are taken from the complete list of Upcoming Events at LakeDems.org/events. Click here to submit your event.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16
Deputy Voter Registrar Training in Waukegan. 3pm, Waukegan. Participants must be at least 18 and registered to vote in Lake County. Training takes about an hour and is open only to Lake County residents interested in helping to register new voters. More.
Wauconda Township Democrats March Meeting. 6-7pm online via Zoom. Guest speakers include Judge Rene Cruz, running for Illinois Supreme Court, and Alicia Timm, running for Lake County Board in District 17. More.
Asian American Caucus Conversation with Senator Tammy Duckworth. 7-8pm online. Conversation on the anniversary of the Atlanta murders. More.
SATURDAY, MARCH 19
Townships Collecting Donations for Ukraine. Noon-3pm, Ingleside. Antioch, Avon, Grant, Lake Villa, Newport and Wauconda Townships are gathering essential items. More.
SUNDAY, MARCH 20
Brad Schneider End of Quarter Get-Together. 4-5:30pm, Northfield. More.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23
NOW Virtual Meeting with Children’s Book Author Mary Lou Edwards. 7pm online via Zoom. More.
THURSDAY, MARCH 24
Northern Illinois Recovery Community Organization (NIRCO) Movie Night. 5-7pm, Waukegan. NIRCO’s aim is to reduce the stigma of addiction and put a face and voice to recovery. More.
FRIDAY, MARCH 25
ACLU Virtual Lunch. Noon-1:30pm, online. Keynote conversation between David Cole, ACLU National Legal Director, and University of Chicago Law Professor Aziz Z. Huq. More.
SATURDAY, MARCH 26
Brad Schneider’s “Congress on Your Corner” in Round Lake Beach. 10-11am. More.
State Senate Candidate Maria Peterson’s Half-Birthday Virtual Celebration. 3-4pm, online. More.
Mayfield Reelection Kickoff. 6-8pm, Chicago. Sponsored by Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. More.
SUNDAY, MARCH 27
Celebrate Women’s History Month with Chelsea Laliberte Barnes. 3-5pm, Long Grove. More.
West Deerfield Township Dems Meeting. 6-7:30pm, Deerfield. Special guests: Congressman Brad Schneider and Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg. More.
TUESDAY, MARCH 29
“You Can Bank On It (Banking Basics)” with Susana Mendoza and Holly Kim. 11am-noon, online via Zoom. Financial literacy class. More
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.
