Wednesday, April 24, 2024

In this Issue: Thanks to Democratic Leadership, Illinois is Stronger Today ● April is Autism Awareness Month ● During Autism Awareness Month, Guest Contributor State Rep. Bob Morgan Shares His Perspective ● Tenth Congressional District Democrats Offer an Internship for Summer 2024 ● Lake Dems Recognizes Workers Memorial Day ● Lake Dems Attend Events ● ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) ● Upcoming Events

Lake Dems is continuously planning events. If you can help us scout locations, make phone calls, decorate, sign people in, or help with many other event related tasks, let us know at info@lakedems.org.

Thanks to Governor Pritzker and Democratic leadership in the state legislature, Illinois is stronger today after years of falling behind than at any time in recent history. Here is what our chosen leadership has been doing for our state:

- Enacted balanced budgets each year and received credit upgrades for the first time in two decades, lowering interest rates and improving Illinois’ finances.

- Paid down the state’s bill backlog and eliminated late bill payments, saving taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in interest.

- Improving state finances, assisting 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.

- Banned assault weapons and removed dangerous “ghost guns” from the street, expanded expressway cameras, and invested in the largest trooper class in Illinois State Police history. 

- Passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, committing to a sustainable future for Illinois.  

- Outperformed neighboring states and all the most populous states during the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping more people alive and safe while supporting families and small businesses through the pandemic-induced recession.

Our leadership, not just in Lake County but all of Illinois, has earned and deserves our support. Let’s ensure those up for re-election in 2024 are successful by getting out to vote! It’s never too early to make your voting plan. Click here to get information regarding voting requirements, where you should vote, voting by mail, early voting, and the answers to frequently asked questions.

One in 36 kids in the United States is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, with boys four times more likely to be diagnosed than girls. While many people with milder symptoms need accommodations at work or in public, those on the more severe end of the autism spectrum require extensive support, often needing help for many decades with all activities of daily living.

The American Rescue Plan provided $37 billion to make it easier for people with disabilities, including autism, to receive the services they need at home and to stay active in their communities. 

Read more about what the administration is doing in President Biden's Proclamation on World Autism Acceptance Day, 2024. 

During Autism Awareness Month, Guest Contributor State Rep. Bob Morgan Shares His Perspective

To many, Autism Awareness Month is just another nameless, non-offensive observance. For me, it is personal. My older brother has special needs caused by Fragile X Syndrome (“Fragile X”). Fragile X is the only known genetic cause of autism. While everyone with Fragile X has autism, not everyone with autism has Fragile X. You’ve surely heard about the “autism spectrum,” and anyone with a loved one with autism can readily describe the loved one’s social and academic abilities using school-age grade level as a guide. What you may not realize is that we still know very little about autism – what causes it, or how to best provide treatment.

When I was young, there was a poem that always stayed with me: "Heaven’s Very Special Child," by Edna Massimilla.  The theme is that it is a blessing to have a family member with special needs, and they give more gifts to us than we will ever give to them. These lessons have stayed with me in the Illinois legislature, where we regularly look for ways to support our special needs community. Increasing wages for direct service personnel, ensuring individual support services and community living arrangements are available to live as independently as possible, and expanding educational and vocational opportunities are just some of the areas where we can do so much better for our loved ones with autism. This Autism Awareness Month, may you find the time to think about what else we can do to support those with autism.

Are you or someone you know looking to put your progressive values to meaningful work this summer? Tenth Congressional District Democrats (Tenth Dems) is now accepting applications for its Summer 2024 Internship Program. This substantive program is designed for high school, college, and graduate/law students seeking an opportunity to become deeply engaged in the political process.

Tenth Dems interns support Lake, Cook, and McHenry County Democratic events, candidates, and elected officials. Click here for more about the program and how to apply.

Image courtesy of the AFL-CIO:

We are grateful to our Democratic township organizations that send event photos to info@lakedems.org for sharing in our newsletter. Have an event coming up? Please click here to submit your event for posting on our website and in this publication.

Lake County Democrats Support Earth Day

From an Earth Day Expo in Island Lake, a road cleanup in Ela Township, and a beach cleanup in Waukegan, Lake County Dems — candidates, elected officials, township organizations, and volunteers — were doing their part in force. Congressmen Bill Foster and Sean Casten even played Earth Day Jeopardy! with Tom Skilling! See the video here.

Speaking with the Speaker

Joining Illinois Speaker of the House Emanuel "Chris" Welch were (l-r) Lake County Democrats leaders Vice-Chair Nancy Shepherdson and Chair Lauren Beth Gash, State Rep. candidate Maria Peterson, and Waukegan Park District Commissioner Anton Mathews.

Lake County Officials Advocate for Key Policy Issues in Springfield

Illinoisans can now get documents notarized without leaving home

WEDNESDAY, APR. 24

Job Fair 2024 in Waukegan. 10:00am, Waukegan. More.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week – 2024 Panel Discussion. 12:00pm, Grayslake. More.

IDCCA 2024 Party Builder Awards Reception. 5:30pm, Chicago. More.

Brad Schneider Service Academy Night. 6:00pm, Vernon Hills. More.

Wauconda Township Democrats April Meeting. 7:00pm, online via Zoom. More.

THURSDAY, APR. 25

DNC Chicago 2024 Arbor Day Opportunity. 9:00am, location to be determined. More.

Celebration of Two Powerful Women in Public Service: Sen. Lakesia Collins and Rep. Rita Mayfield. 5:30pm, Chicago. More.

University Center of Lake County Open House. 6:00pm, Grayslake. More.

SATURDAY, APR. 27

Highland Park Electric Vehicle Show. 9:00am, Highland Park. More.

For the complete list of Upcoming Events, go to lakedems.org/events. Click here to submit your event for consideration.

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 (individual: $35/couples $60 - though more is always appreciated), or send a check payable to Lake County Democrats to P.O. Box 671, Lake Zurich, IL 60047. Questions? Contact info@lakedems.org.