Wednesday, September 4, 2024
In this Issue: Save the Date! ● Lake Dems Cosponsoring Presidential Debate Watch Parties—September 10, 2024 ● Candidate Corner: Getting to Know Maria Peterson, Candidate for State Rep. ● Lake County Early Voting Begins September 26, 2024 ● State Rep. Bob Morgan at the DNC: “An Experience I Will Never Forget” ● Lake Dems Out and About ● ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) ● Upcoming Events
Details to come! Watch your email, lakedems.org/events, and this publication.
Lake Dems Cosponsoring Presidential Debate Watch Parties—September 10, 2024
On Tuesday, September 10, Lake Dems is cosponsoring Presidential Debate Watch Parties in the Grayslake office, in Highland Park, Waukegan, and several other areas in the county. Watch lakedems.org/events for details. Here are some of them:
Lake Villa Dems and Lake Dems Cosponsor Debate Watch Party
Join us at the Lake County Democrats Grayslake Headquarters (Agora Coworking), 100 N. Atkinson Rd., Suite 106, Grayslake.
Lake Dems Cosponsors a Debate Watch Party/Fundraiser in Highland Park
Wayfarer Theater, Highland Park. All funds raised will go directly to the Harris/Walz campaign.
Lake Dems and Waukegan Township Democrats Debate Watch Party
Bertrand Bowl in Waukegan. Join us in Waukegan to watch the Harris/Trump Presidential Debate! Admission is free. If the date changes, we’ll change with it.
Candidate Corner: Getting to Know Maria Peterson, Candidate for State Rep.
Maria Peterson is running for the Illinois House of Representatives in District 52, driven by her commitment to “Service before Politics” and guided by the principles of passion, purpose, and perseverance.
As a first-generation Mexican American, Maria was inspired by her immigrant parents’ hard work and success.
She pursued degrees in Criminal Justice and Organizational Communications from Loyola University of Chicago and later attended John Marshall Law School. Maria has mediated cases, fought against workplace injustices, and supported Latino communities facing discrimination.
Peterson aims to provide full-time representation for the district’s residents, addressing issues such as food deserts, workers’ rights, public education, healthcare, mental health access, and gun legislation. Reflecting on her personal journey and family, she is dedicated to ensuring future generations enjoy a safe, healthy, and prosperous environment.
Incumbent challenger Martin McLaughlin’s “Back to the Future” slogan, echoing the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement, faces challenges in the Chicago suburbs, where voters prioritize issues like reproductive rights and gun control. Maria Peterson’s opposition to McLaughlin’s extreme stances and the broader MAGA influence within the Republican Party offers a strong platform for Democratic candidates in the district.
On Reproductive Rights – Maria Peterson supports protecting reproductive rights in Illinois. She opposes Rep. Martin McLaughlin’s votes against measures that safeguard women’s access to accurate medical information, reproductive health care, and timely services for young women.
On Gun Safety – Peterson advocates for stronger gun control laws, including bans on assault weapons and ghost guns, and supports enhancing red flag laws. She criticizes McLaughlin’s alignment with the NRA and his votes against these safety measures.
A champion for her community, Maria is actively involved in her local schools, has opened a corrective exercise studio, and has served on various boards. In 2022, she ran for the Illinois State Senate, engaging directly with residents and narrowly losing the election but unseating her Republican opponent from his leadership position.
She continues to be a dedicated volunteer community advocate, focusing on women’s rights, public safety, and effective law enforcement. Maria’s commitment to service has been recognized and is supported by her community.
Learn more about her mission to bring true representation to the 52nd district at mariafor52.com and on socials at @mariafor52.
Lake County Early Voting Begins September 26, 2024
A major reason for early voting, whether by mail or in person, is to encourage greater participation in the election process. People who travel for business, work long hours, or are otherwise inconvenienced by the hours the polls are open on Election Day may find it easier to vote early.
Starting September 26, all registered Lake County voters are eligible to vote early at the Lake County Main Courthouse lobby in Waukegan. Beginning October 21, more early voting sites will be open across the county. To vote early, unlike on Election Day, Lake County voters can use any site countywide regardless of where they live. Click here for a list of early voting locations.
State Rep. Bob Morgan at the DNC: “An Experience I Will Never Forget”
Two weeks ago I had the incredible privilege to serve as an Illinois delegate for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. It was an experience I will never forget. As a first-time DNC visitor, I expected the balloon-drop, the state-by-state roll-call, and the exhaustive security measures, but there was so much more to this event that bodes well for the future of our country.
I came across so many young people at the DNC—including our own Victor Shi and Drew Spiegel—shining a bright light on the future leaders of the Democratic Party. The energy was palpable, the themes reflected a cross-section of the country, and the speeches reminded me what is at stake in the next two months. As Governor Walz said, “We can sleep when we’re dead.” Let’s get to work, and go out and win this election for the Harris-Walz campaign, and all the down-ballot Democratic races!
Republicans’ Sole Interest in Election Integrity Is How to Undermine Election Integrity
Another unlawful attempt by the Republican Party to lay the groundwork to sow doubt in the outcome of our upcoming presidential election has reared its ugly head.
The latest mess comes from Georgia where the five-member state election board, tasked with ministerial duties ahead of the election, passed two new rules (the “reasonable inquiry” rule and the “examination” rule) less than 90 days before the presidential election. In short, these rules would allow members of the state election board to make any type of inquiries as to the validity of the results.
The election board is controlled by devout MAGA Trump supporters, and these two rules are a nefarious attempt to proactively delay and muck up the election results. In fact, at a recent Georgia rally, Trump gleefully complimented, by name, the MAGA members of the election board.
Democrats immediately filed a lawsuit against the state’s election authorities over these new rules. The lawsuit asserts that the rules are an underhanded attempt to complicate the long-term and highly accurate certification process, potentially disenfranchising voters and undermining our democratic system.
Even the Georgia Secretary of State, a Republican, has called the new rules eleventh-hour “chaos.” He even goes further by saying, “These misguided, last-minute changes from unelected bureaucrats who have never run an election and seem to reject the advice of anyone who ever has could cause serious problems in an election that otherwise will be secure and accurate.” Sadly, this is another example of the stranglehold that Trump continues to have over his supporters, who will plan and plot whatever it takes to serve their corrupt master.
Read a follow-up article: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/democrats-sue-new-Election-rules-battleground-georgia-rcna168329
Lake Dems Out and About
We love to include event photos in our newsletter! To be considered for inclusion, please send yours to info@lakedems.org with a brief description of the event. Have an event coming up? To submit future events for consideration for our website and emails: lakedems.org/submit-an-event.
Lake Dems Celebrates Labor Day in Parades
Buffalo Grove Days Parade on Sunday
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Zion-Benton Labor Day Parade with State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart
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ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
#VoteReady – News from Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega
Upcoming Events
WEDNESDAY, SEP. 4
Write Postcards with Lake Dems to Elect Democrats. 2:00pm, Highland Park. More
Lake County Dems Phone Bank for Michael Conway and Countywide Candidates. 4:30pm, Virtual. More.
THURSDAY, SEP. 5
Running for Local Office: Getting and Staying on the Ballot. 6:00pm, online via Zoom. More.
SATURDAY, SEP. 7
Grand Opening of Maria Peterson’s Campaign Office with Guest Robyn Gabel. 10:00am, Barrington. More.
Knock Doors with Lake Dems to Help Win Over Wisconsin (WOW!) Noon-4:30pm, carpools will leave Lake County locations. More.
Lake Villa Dems Booth at Celebration of Fall. 3:00pm, Lake Villa. More.
SUNDAY, SEP. 8
An Afternoon in Support of Kelli Wegener for McHenry County Board Chair. 2:00pm, Libertyville. More.
MONDAY, SEP. 9
Antioch & Grant Township Democrats September Meeting. 6:30pm, Fox Lake. More.
Winning Elections: Tips/Best Practices for Precinct Committeepersons and Grassroots Volunteers. 7:00pm, online via Zoom. More.
TUESDAY, SEP. 10
North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham Golf Outing. 9:00am, North Chicago. More.
Lake Villa Dems and Lake Dems Cosponsor Debate Watch Party. 7:30pm, Grayslake. More.
WEDNESDAY, SEP. 11
Write Postcards with Lake Dems to Elect Democrats. 2:00pm, Highland 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.
