Wednesday, May 1, 2024

In this Issue: Lake Dems Officers Elected ● Celebrating Cinco de Mayo ● Attention, Lake County Veterans ● Lake Dems Attend Events ● Volunteer Spotlight ● 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, please let us know at info@lakedems.org.

Lake County Democrats gathered in Bannockburn to cast their votes for Lake County Democratic officers. 

The newly elected officers of Lake County Democrats are (left to right, in front): Cynthia Alexander Jackson, Holly Kim, Barbara Altman, Lauren Beth Gash, Nancy Shepherdson, Esiah Campos, and Bonnie Berger-Neel. (Back row, left to right) Anton Mathews, Jose Martinez, and Dan Matzkin.

Congratulations to our Lake Dems leadership team unanimously elected at the Lake County Democratic Party Convention on Sunday in Bannockburn! Chair Lauren Beth Gash and the leadership team continue the momentum that’s been building over several election cycles. 

And in the March primary, Lake County Democrats elected almost 100 Precinct Committeepersons than the Lake County Republicans did.

“Lake County Democrats are undeniably united, and Sunday’s election shows that we continue to build our party at the grassroots level with a strong and diverse team,” said Lake County Democrats Chair Lauren Beth Gash.

The following Democrats were elected. Congratulations, and let’s keep electing Democrats up and down the ballot in 2024:

- Lauren Beth Gash (Highland Park), Chair
- Nancy Shepherdson (Deer Park), First Vice Chair

- Barbara F. Altman (Highland Park), Vice Chair
- Holly Kim (Mundelein), Vice Chair
- Anton L. Mathews (Waukegan), Vice Chair
- Dan Matzkin (Lake Zurich), Treasurer 
- Jose S. Martinez (Antioch), Recording Secretary
- Bonnie Berger-Neel (Wildwood), Corresponding Secretary
- Esiah Campos (Round Lake Beach), Sergeant-at-Arms

- Cynthia Alexander Jackson (Waukegan), Parliamentarian

Lake County Democrats celebrate and honor Mexican heritage and the valuable contributions of Mexican Americans to our community.

Attention, Lake County Veterans!

The Veterans Committee of the Lake County Democrats will be meeting again on Saturday, May 25. If you’re a veteran and a Democrat – and want to help elect Democrats in this critical election year, please let us know if you are interested by  signing up here.

Join this group of like-minded folks who have served our country and want to continue to make a difference. As a former member of the Illinois House of Representatives Veterans Committee, I urge you to participate in this important work.

Lauren Beth Gash
Chair, Lake County Democrats 

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

Waukegan High School’s Washington Campus was the setting for the Annual Mikva Challenge and Lake County Issues-to-Action Showcase. The event drew students from several area high schools, including North Chicago, Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep, Stevenson, and Round Lake. Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim was among Democrats who viewed the presentations. 

The Mikva Challenge provides schools and school districts with strategies and tools to engage young people in high quality, student-centered, project-based learning about the democratic process. The Mikva Challenge is a nonpartisan, 501(C)3 organization. 

Lake Dems Attend Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association Party Builder Awards Reception 

Previous Party Builder awardees pose with this year's recipients.

Lake Dems officeholders attended the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association (IDCCA) 2024 Party Builder Awards Reception on April 24 in Chicago. From left are Nancy Shepherdson, first Vice Chair of Lake Dems; Lauren Beth Gash, Lake Dems Chair; Anton Mathews, Vice Chair; and Holly Kim, Lake County Treasurer and Vice Chair.

County Chairs from all over Illinois pose with this year's Party Builder recipients. 

A Mock State Fair was held at Half Day School in Lincolnshire, offering fourth-grade students a taste of farming, agriculture, and industry. Among the elected officials who joined in were Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim, and State Representative Dan Didech.

Representative Mayfield Thanks Supporters

State Representative Rita Mayfield thanked supporters, including Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, for the success of her recent fundraiser.

Newly re-elected First Vice Chair Nancy Shepherdson wants to send a special thanks to the many people who made the Lake County Democratic Convention on Sunday a success. People helped with set up, sign-in, brought food, ushered, and helped break down and clean up after the event was over. You are all rock stars!

Lake County unveils new gun violence prevention plan

Kristi Noem Responds After Backlash Over Killing Puppy

SATURDAY, MAY 4
A Safe Place 12th Annual EmpoweRun 5K. Online registration opens at 7:30am; opening ceremony at 8:30am; race begins at 9:00am, Libertyville. More.

Community Blood Drive Hosted by Rep. Nabeela Syed. 10:00am to 2:30pm, Lake Zurich. More. 

MONDAY, MAY 6

Libertyville Township Democrats May Meeting. 7:00-8:30 p.m., Libertyville. More.

TUESDAY, MAY 7
Ela Township Democrats May Meeting. 6:45 to 8:00pm, Deer 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.