May 11, 2022
In this Issue: We Can’t Be Complacent About Choice! ● Make a Plan to Vote ● Volunteer Spotlight ● In Case You Missed It ● Upcoming Events
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This interactive map shows the distance someone seeking an abortion would have to travel if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Click here to view the map in your browser, then click on any spot on the map to see the distance required. (Source: Guttmacher Institute)
We Can’t Be Complacent About Choice!
We in Illinois live in a pro-choice oasis, surrounded by Red States whose Republican-controlled governments are hell-bent on limiting women’s reproductive freedom. Nothing brings this fact into sharper focus than the interactive map above. (Click here to see the map in your browser.)
Last week’s leak of the draft U.S. Supreme Court decision that would revoke a woman’s Constitutional right to control her own body reminds us of the critical importance of state government—governors, legislatures, and state supreme courts.
We can’t be complacent. Right now, Illinois’ laws are strongly pro-choice. But that could change. The Republican Party has made clear that it is dead set against a woman’s right to choose. If JB Pritzker, our unequivocally pro-choice governor, were to lose to a Republican, it would be a disaster. If we lost our Democratic majorities in the state legislature, Republicans would quickly turn back the clock, eradicating a woman’s right to choose in Illinois.
And our current Illinois Supreme Court has just a one vote Democratic majority—imagine what would happen to women’s rights if Republicans gained control. There are two Illinois Supreme Court seats on the November ballot, one right here in Lake County. If Republicans were to gain control and pass anti-choice legislation, only a Democratic majority on our state’s Supreme Court could prevent Illinois from joining its bright red neighbors.
We have the power to protect a woman’s right to choose in Illinois. We must do everything we can to make sure our pro-choice family, friends, and neighbors vote—both in the June 28 Primary and in November. There is way too much at stake.
We’ll keep you posted on what more you can do.
Make a Plan to Vote
The all-important November 8 election gets plenty of attention, but we want to make sure fellow Democrats know about the Primary Election on June 28. Voting in the Primary Election gives you a say in which Democrats will be on the November ballot.
Democrats will face each other in several Primary Election races. To help you make a plan to vote, here’s some useful information, including key dates. We’ll update you on the location of polling places and drop boxes as soon as that information becomes available from the Lake County Clerk.
VOTING BY MAIL. Voting by mail is a good way to make sure you get to vote without having to worry that your work or travel schedule, weather, a new COVID variant, or a sick child could keep you from the polls. To request a ballot, go to the Lake County Voter Power web page and complete the form. Once you fill in your name, house number, and date of birth, you should see a screen that has election information tailored to you. Clicking on the first green button allows you to request your mail-in ballot for the June Primary Election.
VOTING IN PERSON. You can vote early at designated locations in Lake County or on Election Day at your assigned neighborhood polling place. It’s smart to have identification with you when you go to vote—just in case you have to update your registration on the spot—but you should never be asked to show your identification to vote. In Illinois, your signature, which matches the signature in your voter registration record, serves as your voter identification. If you do need to update your registration, you will need two forms of identification with your name and current physical street address.
Check these important dates as you make your voting plan for the June 28 Primary Elections. Still have questions about voting? Call 847-432-VOTE (8683).
Volunteer Spotlight
Lake Dems is grateful for our many active volunteers, including the following:
Matt Sobczyk is a longtime volunteer and Precinct Committeeperson with the Moraine Township Democrats. He is always ready to help with whatever task—large or small—that will aid local Democrats. Events are one of Matt’s many strengths—he not only helps plan events, he publicizes them, then pitches in at the site to ensure things go smoothly. Matt’s tech talents are also invaluable; he helps manage the Moraine Township Democrats website and uses our data management system to communicate with Moraine Township Democrats.
In Case You Missed It
With S&P bump, Illinois now upgraded by all three ratings agencies.
President Joe Biden gathered with other dignitaries in Minneapolis to remember former Vice President Walter Mondale at a memorial service that his family delayed for a year due to the pandemic.
Upcoming Events
Events below are taken from the complete list of Upcoming Events at LakeDems.org/events. Click here to submit your event.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 11
Sen. Julie Morrison and Rep. Bob Morgan End of Session Wrapup. 7-8pm, Highland Park. More.
THURSDAY, MAY 12
Libertyville Township Democrats May Meeting with John Idleburg. 7-8pm, Libertyville. Attendees will discuss the upcoming primary and hear from Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg. More.
SUNDAY, MAY 15
Libertyville Township Democrats Canvass for Maria Peterson. 12:30pm, Libertyville. More.
MONDAY, MAY 16
Deputy Voter Registrar Training in Waukegan. 3pm. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and registered to vote in Lake County. Training is open only to Lake County residents interested in helping register new voters. Training takes about an hour. More.
Primary Candidate Forum in Round Lake Beach. First of two forums. 5:45-8pm, Round Lake Beach. Democratic County Board candidates include Esiah Campos and Yesenia Jaycee Ochoa (District 16) and Shawn Killackey and Linda Troester (District 2). Candidates for Illinois House District 62 include Laura Faver Dias, Thomas Maillard, and Terry Wilke. More.
Sen. Julie Morrison and Rep. Jonathan Carroll End Of Session Wrap-up. 7-8pm, Northbrook. More.
TUESDAY, MAY 17
Primary Candidate Forum in Round Lake Beach. Second of two forums. 5:45-8pm, in-person and broadcast live on WLRL 98.3. Illinois Senate District 31 Democratic Primary candidates include Mary Edly-Allen and Sam Yingling. More.
League of Women Voters Judicial Candidate Virtual Forum. 7-10pm, online. The forum is in three segments covering contested races for Republican Supreme Court, Democratic Supreme Court, and Democratic Appellate Court. More.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18
Reception in Support of Judge Chris Kennedy, Candidate for Appellate Court. 5:30-7:30pm, Highland Park. More.
Fundraiser Supporting Thomas Maillard for State Representative, District 62. 6-8pm, Libertyville. 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.
