September 20, 2023
In this Issue: Lake Dems 2nd Annual Shades of Blue Reception ● Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) Publishes Interactive Hate and Antigovernment Groups Map ● Pretrial Fairness Act Now in Effect ● Bidenomics — The Real Deal ● Lake County Democrats in Mexican Independence Day Parades ● Donuts for Democrats Sponsored by Libertyville Township Democrats ● It’s Not Too Late – Get Your Lake Dems Hat! ● It’s Always Lake Dems T-shirt Season! ● ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) ● Upcoming Events
Lake Dems 2nd Annual Shades of Blue Reception
When: Sunday, October 15, 2023 from 2-4pm
Where: Hyatt Regency Deerfield
What: We will present our Leadership Award to Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, Volunteer of the Year Award to Fremont Township Democrats Chair Matt Lowry, Labor Leader of the Year Award to Painters District Council 14 Business Representative Todd Overdorf, and our Lifetime Achievement Award to State Representative Rita Mayfield. Our exciting keynote and featured speakers will also be announced soon.
Our rights are on the ballot – bodily autonomy, freedom from gun violence, workers’ rights, and so much more. We hope that you will sign up to join us at our 2nd Annual event. Mark your calendar and reserve your seat now! Lakedems.org/ShadesofBlue
Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) Publishes Interactive Hate and Antigovernment Groups Map
The Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) monitors hate and anti-government extremist groups throughout the United States and exposes their activities to the public, the media, and policy makers.
There are currently 1,225 hate and antigovernment groups operating in the United States, including 35 in Illinois. For example, the Proud Boys and Moms for Liberty both have chapters in Crystal Lake, and the Next News Network operates from Northbrook. (Click on the map to see more.)
Why does this matter? Our rights and our freedoms are at stake as these groups work to destroy any progress made toward a country free of racial, religious, and gender discrimination. Being aware of these groups and ensuring their members are not elected to represent us at ANY level of government is essential to preserving our democracy. Lake Dems remains committed to supporting candidates who represent our values and to educating our citizens about groups that work to gin up hatred.
Pretrial Fairness Act Now in Effect
From Democratic Party of Illinois (DPI) – The SAFE-T Act’s Pretrial Fairness Act went into effect on September 18, making Illinois the first state to eliminate cash bail.
As you know, Republicans have tried hard to spread misleading information about the SAFE-T Act, and will no doubt continue to do so. Here are some facts about the SAFE-T Act and Pretrial Fairness Act:
- There is no such thing as a “non-detainable offense.”
- Judges still have the discretion to detain dangerous criminals.
- The SAFE-T Act moves Illinois from a pretrial detention system which prioritizes wealth to one that prioritizes public safety.
- Pretrial detention reform is just one of many provisions included in the SAFE-T Act. There are several changes included to create a more equitable criminal justice system that restores trust and promotes public safety.
- The bottom line: our current system allows people to be released from jail if they have the money for bail. The SAFE-T Act removes money as a factor while allowing judges to detain offenders they deem to be a threat.
To learn more:
The Illinois Supreme Court Cash Bail Ruling, Explained.
Bidenomics — The Real Deal
By Melanie Francisco
According to an article in The Conversation by Conor O’Kane, Senior Lecturer in Economics, Bournemouth University, Bidenomics is more likely to win Biden another term in office than not. This article was written a month after Robert Reich, President Clinton’s former Labor Secretary, now professor of public policy at UC Berkeley, wrote an op ed in The Guardian saying the same thing. And yet, with a majority of people telling pollsters they think the economy is worse than the media coverage suggests, can these economists be right?
Just this past week, The Guardian attempted to explain. The unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been in 54 years and staying there. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was up to an annual growth rate of 2.7%, the highest in the industrialized world. What about inflation, you ask? Well, the fact is, we have it better than anywhere else in the world, and our rate of inflation is still falling
Biden’s economic policies are working. The Inflation Reduction Act is expected to generate 1.5 million jobs per year for the next decade. And the investments in our infrastructure now will unleash our economic power for decades to come.
Given such a great track record, it’s not just believable that Biden will win the election because of his economic policies, it’s why everyone should vote blue to preserve our first-in-the-world economic status.
Lake County Democrats in Mexican Independence Day Parades
Donuts for Democrats Sponsored by Libertyville Township Democrats
Voters braved the rain to sign candidate petitions at Donuts for Democrats.
>State Representative Laura Faver Dias, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen, candidate for State Representative Maria Peterson, and County Board Member Jennifer Clark were among candidates and Democratic officials at the event.
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart talks with State Representative Dan Didech, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen, and Rachael Rezek (seated), District Director for Mary Edly-Allen.
Lake County Democrats Chair Lauren Beth Gash was among Democratic leaders at Donuts for Democrats, including Daniel Blaine, College of Lake County Student Trustee.
It’s Not Too Late – Get Your Lake Dems Hat!
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Running errands, registering voters, or signing petitions? You need a Lake Dems hat and you can get one for $20 (close to our cost). Proceeds help Lake Dems elect more Democrats. Additional donations are always welcome. You can pick up your hats or we’ll mail them for $5. Order your Lake Dems hat today lakedems.org/hats |
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What Goes Great with a Lake Dems Hat? A Lake Dems T-Shirt, of Course!
There is still plenty of T-shirt season left, and they look great over your favorite turtleneck in the cooler weather!
Shirts are $9 each (our cost) but additional contributions are always welcome. To order, click here.
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
Lake County Regional Office of Education (ROE) Takes A Big Step Toward Mental Health Care Access
Upcoming Events
WEDNESDAY, SEP. 20
Identifying Victims of Human Trafficking – Youth and Labor Trafficking. From 8:30am-4pm, North Chicago. More.
Wauconda Township Democrats September Meeting. 7-8pm, online via Zoom. More.
Indivisible Western Lake County (IWLC) September Meeting with Rep. Laura Faver Dias. From 7-8:30pm, Lindenhurst. More.
SATURDAY, SEP. 23
Wauconda Township Democrats Petition-Signing Event. 10am-1pm, Wauconda. More.
SUNDAY, SEP. 24
Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center’s Race to Zero. Registration 8am, race 9am, post-race activities 10am, Libertyville. More.
TUESDAY, SEP. 26
Hire Lake County Job Fair. 11am-1:30pm, Lincolnshire. More.
Maria Peterson Birthday Celebration. 7-8:30pm, Barrington. More.
WEDNESDAY, SEP. 27
The Crisis of American Democracy and Local Government. 7-8:30pm, Northbrook. 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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