Feb. 15, 2023
In this Issue: Jill Wine-Banks to Keynote Lake Dems Fundraiser on Presidents’ Day February 20th ● Biden’s SOTU Address Hit it Out of the Park ● Let’s Talk Politics Series Continues: The Assault Weapons Ban in Illinois ● Volunteer Spotlight ● ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) ● Upcoming Events Below
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Jill Wine-Banks to Keynote Lake Dems Fundraiser on Presidents’ Day February 20th!
We can’t wait to see you and we can’t wait to hear Jill! Her book The Watergate Girl will be available for sale and she has graciously agreed to sign your copy. Tickets are going fast so don’t delay! Register here for tickets or sponsorships: lakedems.org/JWBfundraiser
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Biden’s SOTU Address Hit it Out of the Park
“And folks, we’re just getting started.” Polls after the State of the Union show Biden “hit a home run.”
Anybody who expected Joe Biden to play it safe in the State of the Union Address didn’t take into account the President’s experience as a master negotiator. Many times during his speech, he responded to heckling and disrespect with humor and straight talk. He even succeeded in maneuvering the Republicans into applauding for preserving Medicare and Social Security. Yes, he owned them. It was such fun to watch.
And anyone who thought that Biden would ease off on his ambitions to help the American people because of a divided Congress – well, wrong. Among the bread-and-butter promises he made to the American people:
- A cap of $35/month on Insulin for seniors
- Ensuring billionaires and corporations pay their fair share of taxes
- Good job creation, especially for people without college degrees
- Replacing lead pipes as part of the infrastructure program
- Limiting assault weapons
- And so much more.
A CNN poll taken after the speech showed that Biden really sold these ideas well, even to his skeptics. Independent voters especially liked what they heard. “[A]mong political independents, the share saying Biden’s policies would move the country in the right direction rose from 40% pre-speech to 66% afterwards,” CNN reported. Read more here.
Our friend Sheila Markin Nielsen provides a great analysis of the post-SOTU Biden bump. Read it here.
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Let’s Talk Politics Series Continues: The Assault Weapons Ban in Illinois
On a sunny Saturday afternoon, February 11th, Illinois State Senator Julie Morrison and Illinois State Representative Bob Morgan shared the inside story about the Protect Illinois Communities Act, commonly referred to as the Illinois Assault Weapons Ban, with an engaged audience of more than 60 Democrats. The speakers, both of whose districts include parts of Lake County, talked about what this significant legislation does and how it got passed. The event was part of Tenth Dems University’s Let’s Talk Politics series and was held at Max & Benny’s Restaurant and Delicatessen in Northbrook.
Both speakers explained how the Protect Illinois Communities Act not only bans assault weapons in Illinois, but also limits purchases of high-capacity magazines and bump stocks, which are devices that turn an ordinary handgun into an automatic weapon that discharges scores of bullets with a single trigger pull. They shared the story of their success in passing this impactful law.
Representative Morgan shared that Governor Pritzker signed the bill into law the day it passed, effective immediately. The legislature and the Governor took this unusual step to preempt a likely wave of assault weapons purchases during any interim between the bill’s passage and the law’s effective date.
A lively Q & A session closed out the event. Attendees were interested in additional gun violence prevention measures, such as legislation requiring safe storage of guns by owners and vendors; improved red flag laws and increased mental health funding; mandating liability insurance for gun owners; taxing bullets; and funding more public service announcements about gun violence and ways to reduce it.
Following the program, many of the attendees stayed at Max & Benny’s to continue the conversation over dinner.
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Volunteer Spotlight
Lake Dems is grateful for our many active volunteers.
Mike Pierret, a long time volunteer, is a highly valued member of the Lake Dems team. A Precinct Committeeperson in Shields Township, he has been an integral part of our tech group for many years and always steps up to help with the various tasks we ask of him. We are grateful to have him on our team.
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ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
Letters from an American by Heather Cox Richardson, an American historian and professor of history at Boston College. Her February 12th newsletter details the history of the founding of the NAACP, exactly 100 years after Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.
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Upcoming Events
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15
Moraine Township Democrats Dinner and Meeting. 6pm, Highland Park. More.
Wauconda Township Democrats February Meeting. 6-7pm, online via Zoom. More.
Indivisible Western Lake County (IWLC) February Meeting. 7-8:30pm, Lindenhurst. More.
THURSDAY, FEB. 16
Documentary Screening, “Mikva! Democracy is a Verb.” 5-8pm, Chicago. More.
Holly Kim’s Lunar New Year Celebration with Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza. 6-7:30pm, Highland Park. More.
FRIDAY, FEB. 17
Repro Shabbat in Recognition of Women’s Reproductive Rights. 6:30-7:30pm, Northfield. More.
MONDAY, FEB. 20
Jill Wine-Banks on Presidents’ Day in Lake County. 5:30-7:30pm, Vernon Hills. More.
TUESDAY, FEB. 21
Lake County’s Gun Violence Prevention Initiative (GVPI) with Eric Rinehart and Sara Knizhnik. 5:30-7pm, Chicago. More.
For the complete list of Upcoming Events, go to lakedems.org/events.
Click here to submit your event for consideration.
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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, (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.
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