May 17, 2023
In this Issue: May is Jewish American Heritage Month ● Illinois Senate Approves Bill Cracking Down on Deceptive “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” ● Lake County Board Bans Single-Use Plastics ● Chief Senate Sponsor Mary Edly-Allen’s Measure to Prevent Harmful “Deepfakes” Passes ● Let’s Talk Politics Event in Gurnee ● Help Wanted: Democratic Election Judges ● State of the State Report with Lake County Legislators on Zoom ● Save the Date: Lake Dems Celebrate Flag Day with 2nd Annual Democrats Defending Democracy Event ● Volunteer Spotlight ● Get Your Lake Dems T-Shirt and Show Your Democratic Spirit ● ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) ● Upcoming Events
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May is Jewish American Heritage Month
We are thankful for President Joe Biden’s recognition of this important month, and want to share the President’s Jewish American Heritage Month proclamation.
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Illinois Senate Approves Bill Cracking Down on Deceptive “Crisis Pregnancy Centers”
Late last week, in an effort to support reproductive healthcare and freedom of choice, the Illinois State House passed SB 1909. The legislation applies the same consumer fraud standard as already exists for car dealerships, retailers, and service-based businesses to so-called Crisis Pregnancy Centers.
These centers, often located near legitimate clinics such as Planned Parenthood, seek to deter women from having abortions. Proponents of the new law say it is the strategy of these clinics to lie to pregnant people about abortion, emergency contraception, and their reproductive health as long as possible to prevent them from exercising their legal rights. When women are prevented from making decisions for themselves, maternal mortality rates increase.
NPR reported on March 16 that the U.S. maternal mortality rate was more than ten times that of other industrialized nations such as Australia, Israel, and Spain. This is shameful and completely preventable. This legislation is a step in the right direction.
Governor Pritzker has indicated that he will sign the legislation.
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Lake County Board Bans Single-Use Plastics
Thanks to the Democratic majority on the Lake County Board, there will be ONE MILLION fewer pieces of single-use plastics in landfills this year. The Board voted to prohibit single-use plastics in county-run food operations. The ban took effect on January 1, 2023.
Leading the effort to pass this resolution was Lake County Board District 10 member Jessica Vealitzek. Vealitzek said it was “far past time that some of these initiatives were undertaken,” and that local Democrats have advocated for and educated Lake County communities about environmentally responsible policymaking for years.
“It’s no accident that we are Democrats (doing this) because I think Democrats have a tradition of being, not just environmentalists and conservationists,” Vealitzek said, “but being active where those principles lie.”
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Chief Senate Sponsor Mary Edly-Allen’s Measure to Prevent Harmful “Deepfakes” Passes
“Deepfakes” are fake audio files, photos, and videos of a person in which their voice, face, or body has been digitally altered so that they appear to be someone else. This technology is predominantly being used to create sexual videos of women without their consent and currently it is not technically illegal.
Chief Senate Sponsor Senator Mary Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville) is working to change that. “Deepfakes are a way to deploy gender-based violence, harnessing artificial intelligence to exploit, humiliate and harass through the age-old tactic of stripping women of sexual autonomy and to silence innocent women,” said Edly-Allen. “Despite the rise of deepfakes there are no consequences for bad actors.”
Last Thursday, the bill passed unanimously out of the IL State Senate. Click here to listen to Senator Edly-Allen’s floor speech.
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Let’s Talk Politics Event in Gurnee
Join us May 25 at 7pm, at Tacos El Norte in Gurnee, as Tenth Dems, Lake Dems, and Warren Dems co-host another edition of the Tenth Dems University (TDU) Let’s Talk Politics (LTP) series. This session will focus on reproductive health care rights. Admission is free. Open to Democrats.
Let’s Talk Politics is a series of moderated discussions that provide opportunities for Democrats to talk about important issues of the day with each other and guests that often include elected officials, candidates, political analysts, and authors. Register here.
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Help Wanted: Democratic Election Judges
Election workers are crucial to maintaining free and fair elections. They provide essential oversight and work to ensure every eligible voter gets to cast their ballot, while adhering to all proper procedures.
In Illinois, political parties appoint Election Judges to do this important work. Once the Democratic Party appoints an
election judge, the Lake County Clerk’s Office provides training and pays for their time working the polls. Please fill out this form to be considered as an Illinois Election Judge today.
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State of the State Report with Lake County Legislators on Zoom
When: Sunday, June 4, 2023 at 7:00pm
Where: Online via Zoom
What: Join us for a briefing from many of our Lake County Democratic State Senators and State Representatives. They’ll discuss the recently concluded spring 2023 legislative session live on Zoom. This event is free. Open to Democrats. Register here.
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Save the Date: Lake Dems Celebrate Flag Day with 2nd Annual Democrats Defending Democracy Event
On the evening of Flag Day, Wednesday, June 14, Lake Dems will host our annual Democrats Defending Democracy event.
Celebrate our victories over right-wing extremism with our Democratic elected officials, candidates, and like-minded people. Stay tuned for more details, including the announcement of our exciting guest speakers.
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Volunteer Spotlight
Lake Dems is grateful for our many active volunteers. Click here if you’re interested in helping.
Congratulations to Precinct Committeeperson and Lake Dems volunteer Alicia Timm, who assists us on our Communications team and with other activities. Timm soundly defeated a right-wing book banner and was sworn in as Ela Area Library trustee this week. We are so honored that she is working to promote our shared values in Lake County.
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Get Your Lake Dems T-Shirt and Show Your Democratic Spirit
For a minimum contribution of $9 (our cost though more is welcome and encouraged), you can show your Democratic spirit with an official Lake County Democrats t-shirt. We can arrange for you to pick them up or, if you want your shirt mailed to you, please select “Optional Shipping” to add $6 postage. Click here to order today!
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ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
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Upcoming Events
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17
Fremont Township Democrats May Meeting. 6pm, Mundelein and online via Zoom. More.
Wauconda Township Democrats May Meeting. 6-7pm, online via Zoom. More.
THURSDAY, MAY 18
Shields Township Democrats May Meeting. 5:45-7:30pm, location available via email. More.
SATURDAY, MAY 20
Community Outreach Waukegan Job Fair & Pop Up. 10am-2pm, Waukegan. More.
North Chicago Police, Fire, Navy and Public Works Touch-A-Truck. 12-3pm, North Chicago. More.
Preakness Stakes Viewing Party in Support of Erin Cartwright Weinstein’s Re-Election. 4-7pm, Waukegan. More.
Gala Dinner Celebrating New Directions Addiction Recovery Services. 6-10pm, Lake in the Hills. More.
MONDAY, MAY 22
Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership Training Academy (IWIL) Virtual Fundraiser. 5:30-6:30pm, online via Zoom. More.
TUESDAY, MAY 23
Lake County’s Gun Violence Prevention Initiative (GVPI). 7-8pm, Deerfield and online via Zoom. More.
THURSDAY, MAY 25
Let’s Talk Politics in Gurnee. 7pm, Gurnee. More.
SUNDAY, JUNE 4
State of the State Report With Lake County Legislators on Zoom. 7pm, online via Zoom. More.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14
Lake Dems Celebrate Flag Day with 2nd Annual Democrats Defending Democracy Event. Stay tuned for details. 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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