June 14, 2023
In this Issue: ● Celebrating Juneteenth ● Speaker of the Illinois House, Emanuel ”Chris” Welch to Speak Tonight ● Eric Rinehart Announces Re-Election Campaign for Lake County State’s Attorney ● Democratic Interns Attend the JACPAC Power of Women Luncheon ● Lake Dems Show Their Pride at Events in Lake County ● Town Hall with State Senator Julie Morrison and State Representative Bob Morgan ● Lake Dems Needs 4th of July Parade Marshals ● ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) ● Upcoming Events
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Juneteenth National Independence Day, our newest federal holiday, was signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021. It is a celebration of the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved people that the Civil War had ended and they were free. Shamefully, many Confederate state slaveholders never recognized the Emancipation Proclamation which had been signed in 1863. Lake Dems honors this day by pledging our continued commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion.
Juneteenth is officially on June 19, a Monday this year, but celebrations will take place around Lake County throughout the coming week. This Friday join us in Zion where Lake Dems will have a booth at a community cookout. There will be live music, food, and vendors displaying items for purchase. This event is free to attend. Click here to see all of the scheduled events.
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Speaker of the Illinois House, Emanuel ”Chris” Welch to Speak Tonight
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The 2nd Annual Democrats Defending Democracy reception is TONIGHT, June 14, 5:30-7:00pm at the DoubleTree Hotel in Mundelein. Join us in celebrating our recent victories over right-wing extremism. Connect with fellow Democrats over appetizers and desserts, and learn how you can help make sure our Democratic candidates continue to win in Lake County. Individual tickets start at $35. RSVP here: lakedems.org/democracy
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Eric Rinehart Announces Re-Election Campaign for Lake County State’s Attorney
This week Lake Dems joined Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart as he announced his re-election campaign for the office he won in 2020. At that time, Lake County had not elected a Democratic prosecutor in over 40 years.
In this third year of Eric’s leadership, the State’s Attorney’s office continues to grow its long list of accomplishments. He and his office have instituted these reforms to improve service to the people of Lake County and the broader legal community who serve them.
Read the full press release here.
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Democratic Interns Attend the JACPAC Power of Women Luncheon
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Earlier this week Democratic interns registered attendees, distributed name tags, directed people to facility amenities, guided them to their tables, and helped with other important tasks at the annual Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs (JACPAC) 2023 Power of Women Luncheon.
The event featured esteemed guests including Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and 10th District Representative Brad Schneider, who both expressed gratitude to JACPAC and its members’ abilities to represent its missions at the highest levels of government to promote democratic ideals. It was an exciting day as interns had the opportunity not only to participate and hear from Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi but also to meet and take photos with her. |
| Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with many young Democratic interns. |
Lake Dems Show Their Pride at Events in Lake County
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Pictured above, Lake Dems volunteers, elected officials, candidates, and Democratic interns staffed our booth during Lake County PrideFest 2023 at the Village of Round Lake Beach Cultural & Civic Center.
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A little rain could not stop Lake Dems from showing our support for the LGBTQ+ community at the PFLAG of Grayslake/Round Lake Pride Parade
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Town Hall with State Senator Julie Morrison and State Representative Bob Morgan
State Senator Julie Morrison and State Representative Bob Morgan offered a recap of the spring legislative session and issues facing our communities at a Town Hall meeting on June 6 in the Lake Forest City Hall.
Representative Morgan explained several new healthcare initiatives, including telehealth, widened access to testing and vaccines across Illinois, insurance coverage for behavioral and mental health, and implementing reviews of health insurance rates. While Governor Pritzker has announced the end of the COVID emergency, Representative Morgan noted his own work to ensure continued easy access to COVID-related healthcare.
Senator Morrison highlighted funding in the $50.4 billion state budget, including $5 million for a program to address veteran suicides and $50 million for Park District land acquisition.
Both Representative Morgan and Senator Morrison also discussed budget legislation to improve public safety. This included a bill allowing police to use drones at large public events to prevent shootings. Senator Morrison also mentioned a piece of legislation to prohibit indoor vape use, making it equivalent to cigarette smoking. Morrison said, “It’s about time we set a clear standard that protects non-smokers and further de-normalizes tobacco use.”
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Pictured with State Senator Julie Morrison and State Representative Bob Morgan are Democratic interns Matthew Sprenger and Mika Raviv.
Lake Dems Needs 4th of July Parade Marshals
July 4th parades are almost here, and we’d love to have you join us! Each parade needs Lake Dems Parade Marshals to direct our volunteers to their positions and assign participants to carry banners and pass out pencils, literature, and of course, candy!! Let us know we can count on you to help.
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ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
Democratic Party of Illinois Celebrates Signing of Balanced Budget
Gov. Pritzker Signs Bill Making Illinois First State in the Nation to Outlaw Book Bans
With Democrats Things Get Better—June 2023
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Upcoming Events
WEDNESDAY, JUN. 14
Lake Dems Presents Democrats Defending Democracy Reception. 5:30pm, Mundelein. RSVP: lakedems.org/democracy.
THURSDAY, JUN. 15
Senator Adriane Johnson and Representative Rita Mayfield Community Resource Fair. 10am, North Chicago. More.
Your Spending and Savings Fitness Plan with Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim. 1pm, online via Zoom. More.
Fremont Township Democrats June Meeting. 6pm, online via Zoom and live in Mundelein. More.
FRIDAY, JUN. 16
Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center 40th Anniversary Spring Luncheon. Registration at 11am, luncheon at 12pm, Gurnee. More.
Men’s Round Table Discussion on Male Mentoring. 11:30am, live stream on YouTube and live in Waukegan. More.
Libertyville Township Democrats Staff Booth at Libertyville Days. 12pm, Libertyville. More.Juneteenth African Drum Circle Event. 1pm, North Chicago. More.
Juneteenth Cookout in Zion. 5pm, Zion. More.
SATURDAY, JUN. 17
Walk With Democrats in the Libertyville Days Parade. Gather 9:30am, step off 10am, Libertyville. More.
Juneteenth Journey in Waukegan. 10am, Waukegan. More.
Lake Dems Booth at BRIDGE Juneteenth Celebration in Lindenhurst. 1pm, Lindenhurst. More.
McHenry County Juneteenth Festival. 3pm, Woodstock. More.
MONDAY, JUN. 19
Juneteenth Youth Celebration in Waukegan. 12pm, Waukegan. More.
WEDNESDAY, JUN. 21
Deputy Voter Registrar Training in Libertyville. 10am, Libertyville. More.
Wauconda Township Democrats June Meeting. 6pm, Wauconda. More.
Indivisible Western Lake County (IWLC) June Meeting with Jennifer Banek. 7pm, Lindenhurst. 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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