March 15, 2023
In this Issue: You Can Still Register to Vote in the April 4 Election ● Local Candidates and Precinct Committeepersons Meet in North Chicago ● Moraine Township Democrats Holds Annual Spring Forward Reception ● Duckworth Statement on President Biden’s Latest Actions to Address Gun Control ● Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association (IDCCA) Holds Party Builder Awards Reception March 27 ● ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) ● Upcoming Events
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You Can Still Register to Vote in the April 4 Election
Is there anyone in your household who needs to register to vote?
Under Illinois law, Grace Period Registration extends the regular registration deadline allowing anyone, including teens who will be 18 by April 4 and people who need to change their address, to register to vote all the way up to Election Day at the Lake County Clerk’s Office, 18 N. County St., Waukegan (during weekday business hours, Monday through Friday 8:30am-5pm).
You may also register during Early Voting at any Early Voting site, or on Election Day at your home polling place. Upon registration you must then vote immediately.
You will need two forms of identification, one of which must show your Lake County address. Check out this list for what is acceptable.
If you have any questions about registering to vote or voting in the April 4 election, call the Lake County Democrats’ Voter Assistance Hotline at 847-432-8683.
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Local Candidates and Precinct Committeepersons Meet in North Chicago
Lake County Democrats discuss important issues at the Foss Park District Community Center
On a snowy Thursday night last week, fired-up candidates, Precinct Committeepersons and Democratic volunteers met at the Foss Park District Community Center. Candidates for local election throughout Lake County had a chance to speak and Lake Dems Chair Lauren Beth Gash asked for help with Lake Dems committees.
There was also a passionate discussion of the city manager referendum that is on the Waukegan ballot on April 4. The referendum on the ballot says simply: “Shall the City of Waukegan adopt a managerial form of municipal government?” However, because of state law, if this form of government is approved by the voters, it also requires that alderpersons will be elected at large at the next election. That is, the City Manager form of government prohibits the election of alderpersons to represent neighborhood wards. The Precinct Committeepersons present overwhelmingly voted to oppose this referendum.
There was also a call for volunteers for Lake Dems committees: Communications, Community Outreach, Data Management and Tech Support, Events, Finance, Fundraising, Membership, Operations, Precinct Committeeperson and Grassroots Support, Rules and Bylaws, Training, Volunteers, and Voter Services. To let us know if you are interested in joining a committee or taking a leadership role, click here or send an email to info@lakedems.org.
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Moraine Township Democrats Holds Annual Spring Forward Reception
Moraine Township Dems held their annual Spring Forward reception last Sunday (on the day we moved the clocks forward). 10th District Congressional Representative Brad Schneider, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, and Park District Commissioner Terry Grossberg spoke to the group, along with all candidates running for the Highland Park City Council – Tony Blumburg, Jeff Hoobler, Kelly Nichols, Yumi Ross, Adam Stolberg. Highwood Alderperson candidate Cindy Hamilton also spoke.
Other attendees included Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega, Lake County Board Members Paul Frank and Paras Parekh, Deerfield Trustee candidate Christopher Goodsnyder, North Shore School District Board Vice President Lisa Hirsh, and many other fellow Democrats.
The event drew a large crowd to Highland Park’s Heller Nature Center.
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Duckworth Statement on President Biden’s Latest Actions to Address Gun Control
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today, (March 14, 2023), released the following statement in response to President Biden’s newly-announced plans to prevent and reduce gun violence, including cracking down on marketing weapons to children:
“With these executive actions, President Biden is proving once again that we can do better, and I’m glad that he is moving the ball forward on universal background checks, improving enforcement of current law to reduce gun violence and taking action aimed at preventing parasitic companies from using advertising to trick young children into buying lethal weapons, something I’ve called for repeatedly. While these are all good moves, they also underscore how many common-sense reforms Republicans in Congress continue to block, even in the face of mass shooting after mass shooting. It’s time for Republicans to come back to the table and help us end this national crisis and keep our children safe from needless, senseless gun violence.”
Earlier this year, Duckworth joined several of her colleagues to call on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate the continued marketing to children of the “JR-15” rifle by Illinois-based company Wee 1 Tactical. While children under age 18 cannot buy firearms themselves under federal law, the JR-15 is marketed to appeal to children to help familiarize them with this type of tactical weapon. When the gun was initially released by Wee 1 Tactical, its marketing materials featured cartoons of skulls with pacifiers and said that the rifle “looks, feels, and operates just like Mom and Dad’s gun.”
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Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association (IDCCA) Holds its Party Builder Awards Reception March 27
This year the IDCCA is honoring Deborah Cosey-Lane, Secretary Treasurer of ATU Local 308; and Michael Macellaio, President of the Chicago & Cook County Building Trades Council. Lake Dems Chair Lauren Beth Gash serves on the Executive Board of the IDCCA, and is a past recipient of the Party Builder of the Year Award. RSVP here or call 217-753-3380 with any questions or to RSVP.
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ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
Illinois Payroll Jobs Up, Unemployment Rate Down in January
Victory at the Lake County Board!
A new poll suggests Ron DeSantis’ ‘anti-woke’ crusade will backfire
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Upcoming Events
WEDNESDAY, MAR. 15
Harm Reduction – the Importance of a Holistic Approach to Substance Use Disorder. 1:30-4pm, Round Lake. More.
Waukegan Township Presents Artis Yancey HBCU College Informational Meeting. 5:30-6:30pm, Waukegan or online via Zoom. More.
Wauconda Township Democrats March Meeting. 6-7pm, Online via Zoom. More.
FRIDAY, MAR. 17
Rep. Rita Mayfield Event at Bulls vs. Timberwolves. 5:30pm, United Center, Chicago. More.
SATURDAY, MAR. 18
North Chicago 5th Ward Meeting. 11am-2pm, North Chicago. More.
March Madness Birthday Fundraiser for Alexi Giannoulias. 12-3pm, Chicago. More.
Let’s Talk Politics in Fox Lake. 2-4pm, Fox Lake. More.
Lake Dems Headquarters Open House During ArtWauk in Waukegan. 5-7pm, Waukegan. More.
SUNDAY, MAR. 19
Brad Schneider Campaign Kickoff. 5-7pm, Northbrook. More.
MONDAY, MAR. 20
Making Healthcare More Affordable in Illinois. 12-1pm, Virtual Webinar. More.
WEDNESDAY, MAR. 22
Waukegan Township Presents Artis Yancey HBCU College Tour Informational Meeting. 5:30-6:30pm, Waukegan or online via Zoom. 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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