October 4, 2023
In this Issue: Lake Dems Annual Shades of Blue Awards Reception ● Special Volunteer Spotlight ● Winning Elections: Tips for Precinct Committeepersons and Grassroots Volunteers ● Remembering Dedicated Democrat Ed Erwin ● Holly Kim’s Korean BBQ Draws a Crowd ● Good Food, Good Signatures at Fremont Township Event ● Breast Cancer Awareness Month ● ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) ● Upcoming Events
Lake Dems Annual Shades of Blue Awards Reception
| When: | Sunday, October 15, from 2-4pm |
| Where: | Hyatt Regency Deerfield |
| What: | We are recognizing individuals who are making a difference by helping elect Democrats. State Representative Rita Mayfield will receive our Lifetime Achievement Award. |
State Representative Rita Mayfield is the Dean of the Lake County legislative delegation (the longest-serving member in our current delegation). Now in her seventh term, she has represented us well since 2010. Here are some of her many accomplishments — honors, leadership roles, and education:
- Past President and current member of The Harbor Lites Chapter of The Links
- Founding Board Member — LGBTQ Center of Lake County
- Former Chair of the House Legislative Black Caucus
- Volunteer Financial Instructor — Habitat For Humanity
- Democratic Precinct Committeeperson since 2008
- Former Vice President of the Waukegan Board of Education
- NAACP Legislative Achievement Award
- Millennials Stand Up Award
- Illinois Association of Fire Fighters Legislator of the Year Award
- YWCA Civic Leadership Award
- MBA, Benedictine University
- MS, Management and Organizational Behavior, Benedictine University
- BS Computer Information Systems, Columbia College
Click here to tell us you’ll be joining us or sponsoring this event. Tickets are only $40 because we want as many Democrats to join as possible for this inspirational evening. Scholarships are also available.
Remembering Dedicated Democrat Ed Erwin
Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Ed Erwin of Lindenhurst. His devotion to Democrats and democracy was an inspiration to many. See detailed email from Lake Dems for more information on his life and funeral arrangements.
Special Volunteer Spotlight: Officers of the Lake County Democrats
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Lauren Beth Gash, Chair, Highland Park. Lauren is a former State Rep., Illinois Human Rights Commissioner, and Moraine Dems Chair. After serving as the only Democrat from Lake County in the Illinois House or Senate, she’s made it her mission to elect Democrats. She brings her lifelong community organizing and nonprofit board experience to lead our successful party-building efforts. |
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Nancy Shepherdson, First Vice Chair, Deer Park. Nancy brings vast experience organizing Democrats in red, purple and blue areas. She has been involved in managing Lake Dems’ candidate messaging, communications, training, and fundraising efforts, among many (many!) other duties. |
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Jose Rivera, Vice Chair, Long Grove. Jose chairs our Bylaws Committee and helped create our outreach trifold brochure. Among other things, he also participates in our free annual free Lawyer Look-Over/Petition Event/Notary Party and with our Election Protection Team. |
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Barbara Altman, Vice Chair, Highland Park. Barbara leads our efforts in voter registration, newsletter/communications, bylaws, voter assistance hotline and coordinates our Election Protection team. |
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Vance Wyatt, Vice Chair, North Chicago. Vance serves on the Finance Committee, has helped Lake County Democrats with venue selection and is the former Shields Township Democratic Chair, who has helped other Township Chairs with technology such as VoteBuilder. He is the City of North Chicago Treasurer. |
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Dan Matzkin, Treasurer, Lake Zurich. Dan manages Lake Dems’ financial reporting, which amounted to almost $250,000 invested in candidates and voter outreach in the last cycle. |
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Farah Laman, Recording Secretary, Hawthorn Woods. Farah keeps records and has been active with community outreach and with our team recruiting candidates for local offices. We are honored to have helped with her election as Hawthorn Woods Trustee this year. |
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Bonnie Berger-Neel, Corresponding Secretary, Wildwood. Bonnie communicates with the various Lake County Democrats constituencies and handles many of our administrative functions for Lake County Democrats. |
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Marc Jones, Sergeant-at-Arms, Waukegan. Marc helps Lake County Democrats with voter registration efforts, as a Master of Ceremonies, and is a frequently requested speaker at our events. He serves as the Waukegan Township Supervisor. |
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Cynthia Alexander Jackson, Parliamentarian, North Chicago. Cynthia works to help keep our meetings in order. She is a certified professional parliamentarian with detailed expertise in procedural rules for meetings. |
We are grateful for the contributions of our dedicated officers.
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| Hats (with an adjustable buckle in the back) cost $20.
Shirts are $9 each. |
Our Lake Dems t-shirts and hats are ideal for canvassing and everything else. They’ve sold out again, but a new order should arrive any minute, so put your request in now. To order, click HATS or click T-SHIRTS (or both!).
Winning Elections Event: Tips for Precinct Committeepersons and Grassroots Volunteers
Electing Democrats has never been more vital to the future of our country. Join us Wednesday, October 11, at 7pm on Zoom for a Lake Dems training, Winning Elections: Tips for Precinct Committeepersons and Grassroots Volunteers.
Any Democrat who is committed to working to elect our candidates is welcome to attend. Please sign up here if you can attend.
Presenters will include Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky’s Political Director, Ben Head, and Alyssa Knobel, communications and government relations consultant, former City Council member in Lake County, and Democratic Precinct Committeeperson. This training will focus on best practices in effective voter contact, door-knocking, and persuasion.
Talking to voters face-to-face is the single most effective way to persuade them to support our candidates. Electing Democrats depends on all of us, and the more people we get talking to voters, the more successful we will be.
WHAT: Expert advice for Precinct Committeepersons and grassroots volunteers.
WHAT TO WEAR: Our Lake Dems t-shirts and hats are ideal for canvassing and everything else. They’ve sold out again, but a new order should arrive any minute, so put in your request now. You can pick up your hats or we’ll mail them for $5. To order, click T-SHIRTS or click HATS (or both!).
WHEN: Wednesday, October 11, 7pm
WHERE: Zoom; link will be sent shortly before the session
Hope to see you there!
Holly Kim’s Korean BBQ Draws a Crowd
From left, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, State Representative candidate Maria Peterson, and Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart were among office-holders and candidates joining Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim at her packed Korean BBQ Birthday Celebration on Sept. 30.
Democratic leaders helped celebrate with Treasurer Holly Kim.
Holly Kim sang karaoke at her Korean BBQ Celebration.
Lake County Democrats Chair Lauren Beth Gash, left, and Vice Chair Nancy Shepherdson, right, chatted with Lieutenant Governor Stratton at the celebration.
Good Food, Good Signatures at Fremont Township Democrats Event
Fremont Democrats’ Fall Cookout & Petition Event had it all. Maria Peterson, candidate for State Representative, sat with her husband, Ken, left, and Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart. The event took place at Diamond Lake Sports Complex in Mundelein.
Enjoying the food were, from left, Ben Shin, Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim, and Lake County Board Member Jessica Vealitzek.
Fremont Township Democrats Chair Matt Lowry and Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim grilled at the event in Diamond Lake.
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
Congressman Brad Schneider’s Statement on Bipartisan Vote to Keep Government Open
Upcoming Events
FRIDAY, OCT. 6
Lake County Chamber of Commerce Annual Legislative Breakfast. 7:30-9:30am, Gurnee. Featuring State Senator Adriane Johnson, State Representative Bob Morgan, and Lake County Board President Sandy Hart. More.
Reception and Conversation with Congressman Adam Schiff. 4pm, Highland Park. More.
SATURDAY, OCT. 7
Maria Peterson Day of Action & Rally with Jan Schakowsky. Rally and kickoff at 10am, canvass begins at 10:30am, North Barrington. More.
Indivisible Western Lake County (IWLC) Chili Cookoff.1:30-4:30pm, Lake Villa. More.
MONDAY, OCT. 9
Antioch & Grant Township Democrats October Meeting. 6:30-7:30pm, Lake Villa. More.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 11
Winning Elections: Tips for Precinct Committeepersons and Grassroots Volunteers. 7pm on Zoom. More.
SUNDAY, OCT. 15
Lake Dems 2nd Annual Shades of Blue Reception. From 2-4pm, Deerfield Hyatt. 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.
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