http://dgdemocrats.org

November 2021

FROM OUR LEADERSHIP

EARLY INVESTMENT IS CRITICAL! By Leslie Sadowski-Fugitt We all know how important it is to walk our precincts to get out the vote for Democrats in midterm elections. Our party historically has lower turnout than in Presidential elections, and we are only in our infancy of turning DuPage County blue. That is why it is critical that we invest in our Downers Grove Township Democrats early, and often. Due to the delayed June primaries in 2022, we will have a condensed schedule this election cycle. We need to raise all the funds we can now, to get more boots on the ground and more dollars into our candidates’ pockets. It is why we will need double the volunteers who share our values and our candidates with their neighbors and communities. At any given time during election season, our precinct committeepeople and other volunteers are circulating petitions, registering voters, canvassing, circulating materials to voters, poll watching, election judging, and working with local campaigns to get good Democrats elected. None of those things can happen without an early investment in our party to ensure we have the resources we need to act on behalf of our values and win the 2022 midterm elections.  The 2022 midterm elections start NOW. What are you doing to elect Democrats to every level of government? Join the DGTDO today in our effort to keep our DG Township blue.

MESSAGE FROM OUR DuPAGE DEMOCRATIC CHAIR! By Ken Mejia-Beal Hello Downers Grove Dems, First, can I just say how excited I am about the infrastructure bill! After four years of talking about better infrastructure we are actually doing something about it. I shouldn’t be surprised because that is what Democrats excel at, DOING. Speaking of doing, I would not be the Chair of the Democratic Party of DuPage County without so much support from you. I have made Downers Grove my home and I am proud to fight along side you all. For me, it doesn’t make a difference whether I am speaking with the Speaker of the House or a constituent at a door, I am representing our values, goals, and visions because of input from you! In 2022 we have two races - one against Republicans and one against mass misinformation and I am ready to take on both, with your assistance. We have much work to do, but I am optimistic, not because of polls or data, but because of YOUR optimism. Let’s do the work, together. Thank you  Ken Mejia-Beal

DEMOCRATS DELIVER. THIS AND MORE!

Important Election Related Dates General Election - November, 8, 2022 General Primary - June 28, 2022  First Day In-Person Early Voting - May 19, 2022 Independent Candidates can begin circulating - April 13, 2022 First Day to Request Vote by Mail Ballots - March 30 - June 23, 2022 Petition filing window - March 7 - 14, 2022 First Day to Circulate Petitions - January 13, 2022

DuPAGE COUNTY FUNDS NEW VOTING EQUIPMENT. ALL PAPER BALLOTS! By Sue Sitton A big THANK YOU to Jean Kaczmarek and her hard-working staff for advocating for the best voting system for DuPage County. And thank you to all of you who responded to our “Calls to Action” and who contacted County Board Members to encourage them to do the right thing and fund the Hart Voting System. In DuPage County’s press release announcing an all paper ballot solution, Jean Kaczmarek said, “I have been waiting to say these words for 16 years – DuPage County will have 100 percent paper ballots.” (DuPage County's Press Release). Jean has been actively advocating for fair elections and replacing old voting equipment long before becoming the DuPage County Clerk. The Hart Voting Systems is expected to be delivered this month and be implemented for the 2022 Primary Election (June 28). Here are key points about our new voting system: Hart Verity Voting System (based in Austin, TX) 100% paper ballot system 100% auditable (provides a paper trail for conducting an audit of results) No remote access software External cards or drives CANNOT be inserted Made in the USA Uniform ballots for vote by mail, early voting and election day voting Ballots are printed on demand as needed, so this system has sustainability and does not waste paper and trees. (The current and past system required ballots be pre-printed in the amount of 110% of registered voters, sacrificing many trees and wasting tax dollars in the cost of paper and printing.) Looking forwaard to 2022!

JB PRITZKER: GUN VIOLENCE IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE. By Joanna Williams “It’s a stray bullet through the bedroom window, an expressway shooting, the violence that ricochets through spaces that should be safe. Every neighborhood and every home deserve to be free from violence and the State of Illinois is making an unprecedented statewide investment in the pursuit of violence reduction”.   At a Nov 2nd news conference on Chicago’s West Side the governor signed Executive Order 2021-29 which declares gun violence a public health crisis and pledges $250 million in state support for a plan to help communities hardest hit by gun violence.  The plan includes 4 key elements: High-risk youth intervention programs Violence prevention services Youth development programs Trauma recovery services for young people   Implementation of the plan will be coordinated through the newly created Office of Firearm Violence Prevention within the Illinois Dept of Human Services. Grants are expected to be provided to organizations in 22 areas of Chicago and 15 communities across the state with the focus on the most violent neighborhoods as measured by the number of per capita shootings from 2016 to 2020.   According to Pritzker’s office the plan will draw on federal and state funds, including $50 million from the 2022 budget. The administration will then work with the General Assembly on an additional $100 million in funds from the budgets for fiscal years 2023 and 2024. The program will also look to stakeholders for future funding.

INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING COMING TO ILLINOIS. DPI Press Release - November 6, 2021 Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, which will make a once-in-a-generation investment in our country’s infrastructure. In response, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Rep. Robin Kelly released the following statement: “As promised, President Biden and Illinois Democrats worked across the aisle to forge consensus and deliver results for Illinois families. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will create good-paying union jobs, grow our economy, and make much-needed improvements to critical infrastructure like Illinois’ roads and highways; bridges and transit; drinking water systems; and broadband. With President Biden’s signature, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will position Illinois workers, farmers, and businesses to compete and win in the 21st century.” Based on funding formula alone, the state of Illinois would expect to receive: $9.8 billion to improve highways and $1.4 billion for bridge replacement and repairs over five years. $4 billion over five years to improve public transportation options across the state. $149 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state. Illinois will also have the opportunity to apply for the $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to EV charging in the bill. A minimum of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least 228,000 Illinoisans who currently lack it. 2,926,999 or 23% of people in Illinois will also be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access.  $22 million to protect against cyberattacks. $1.7 billion over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state and ensure that clean, safe drinking water is a right in all communities. $616 million over five years to improve Illinois’ airports.

START EARLY!

Volunteer Opportunities Interest Survey

VOLUNTEERS: OUR MOST VALUABLE ASSET! By Sue Sitton DGTDO is extremely lucky to have such a great group of volunteers. Our success in electing Democrats up and down the ballot would not have happened without their skills, knowledge, commitment, leadership and hard work. Through each election cycle, we continue to make progress. But of course, there is more work to do. We will need everyone on board for the 2022 Mid-Terms. It’s 350 days until Election Day (November 8 2022). In 51 days, we will be in “petition season” starting January 13. There are many opportunities to volunteer with DGTDO. Here are some of our volunteer opportunities (select this link for a full description):  Communications/Social Media Canvassing Office/Organization Help Fundraising Election Day Help (early voting and election day) Phone Banking Registering Voters Working on a Campaign Working with a Committee Writing Postcards Please take a few minutes to complete this survey, and let us know how you would like to get involved. If you have questions or have friends/family that would like to get involved, send an email to Sue at [email protected]. Thank you for getting involved!

INVEST. ACT. WIN! ------ Send checks to DGTDO, PO Box 785, Downers Grove 60515

2022 MID-TERM STARTS NOW! DGTDO Fundraising Committee On November 8, DGTDO kicked off our “INVEST. ACT. WIN 2022!” fundraising campaign. We have less than a year to election day – November 8, 2022. It will take each of us to WIN. As Democrats, we strive for inclusion; and when we elect Democrats, we can pass legislation that supports our values: voting rights, climate action, affordable healthcare, well-funded public education, common sense gun laws, strong unions, fair tax policies, social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, women's rights and more.  DGTDO has been instrumental in supporting and electing Democrats to offices at all levels of government. The 2022 Midterm election will require more resources (money, people, etc.), and we must start planning NOW.   Due to redistricting, we will have more candidates in 2022 than in other election cycle. All US Representatives, State Senate, State Representatives, County Board, and Forrest Preserve Board positions will be up for election. How will your donations be used? To keep our office on Curtiss open and operating (rent, utilities, phone, internet, printing, postage, social media and more). To continue to support our precinct committeepeople and our candidates. To provide a welcome space for volunteers and a gathering place to plan and connect with like-minded people. To provide resources for outreach to grow our base of support and turn out our voters. So today is your opportunity to strengthen our office and grow our organization. Please donate! INVEST. Your financial support ACT. Make a monthly, quarterly or annual donation  Go to ActBlue (link) to donate by credit card Mail your check to DGTDO, PO Box 785, Downers Grove, IL 60515 Drop off your check or cash at 908 Curtiss St., Downers Grove WIN 2022! Create a financial foundation to elect Democrats up and down the ballot in 2022 Thank you for your support!

Sign up to be a Notary

BECOME A NOTARY! Once again Jeff Jacobson will be facilitating "Becoming a Notary" classes at DGTDO, 908 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. He will guide you through the process and get you on your way to be a Notary. Sign-up HERE for 6;00 pm on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9 OR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15 Thank you Jeff!

PC CORNER. NOVEMBER 2021 By Chris Hotchkin As we approach the holiday season, we know that our political endeavors may take a backseat to family activities. However, the focus of our efforts leading up to petition time in 2022 is to get contact information for the Democratic households in our precinct. We want to collect email addresses which will make it so much easier to stay in contact with our Democratic voters. The best way to get these email addresses is to knock on their door and ask them, or give them a call. If you need a list of the right households to ask, contact Sue in our office. While young people are home from college for Thanksgiving or winter break, this will be a great time to make sure all get registered to vote. The easiest way for them to register is to go to the Illinois Voter Registration website https://ova.elections.il.gov/.

JOIN THE DGTDO EVENTS COMMITTEE. By Chris Hotchkin The Downers Grove Township Democrats Events Committee invites you to help us plan fun and meaningful events each month that bring Downers Grove Township Democrats together to: Enjoy fellowship with other Democrats Contribute to the well-being of our community Support the values of the Democratic Party Promote the election of Democratic candidates Raise funds to support the operations of our organization and our office If you would like to be a part of this newly formed committee, please contact Chris Hotchkin at [email protected]. We welcome and need your participation! This committee will likely meet about once a month, either at the office or via Zoom.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27 FROM 2:00 TO 4:00 PM

DGTDO "SHARE THE SPIRIT". By Chris Hotchkin Our holiday community event will be to support the Peoples Resource Center Share the Spirit 2021 program. This program provides low-income families with items to provide holiday gifts for their children and items to enjoy as a family. We will be collecting: New children’s books, any for ages 0-17. Family games (Monopoly, Chutes & Ladders, etc.) Winter hats and mittens (DGTDO has historically collected winter hats and mittens to donate) Plan to drop into the DGTDO Office (908 Curtiss, Downers Grove) on the afternoon of Saturday, November 27 any time between 2:00 and 4:00 to enjoy a drink of wine or beer and snacks with your fellow Dems and bring your donation then. If Saturday does not work for you, drop off your donation on my front porch before noon on Monday. The address is 6810 Carpenter, Downers Grove.

DGTDO RECENT SUCESSES!

DGTDO WINE TASTING 2021. By Carla Feinkind Over 100 people attended our wine tasting at SAVWAY! It was our largest wine tasting EVER! Everyone wore their masks the entire time. Everyone was vaccinated! WE ARE DEMOCRATS and DEMOCRATS ARE SMART!!!!  With sponsorships and admissions, it was BY FAR our BIGGEST AND MOST LUCRATIVE event ever. THAT IS EXCELLENT NEWS!!! The money supports the office in Downers Grove which helps build our community and grassroots organizing.  Many local candidates use our space for their volunteers. And, as an organization we chip into local candidates. Chair Greg Hose and the invited speakers all spoke compellingly about the 2022 and 2024 elections….AND BEYOND. We KNOW that we cannot look away from the goal of keeping and making gains in the Congress AND electing more and more Democrats locally, statewide and nationwide! A day after the event, Joanna Williams saw Emmett at the Post office in Hinsdale. She thanked him for hosting us …and told him we hoped that he made money. He looked at her and said that was not why he did it. He wanted US to make money! **Here’s a bit of historical perspective.  Over twenty years ago, we couldn’t find a wine merchant who would “deal” with us. Emmett Malloy of SAVWAY was the ONLY one to say YES…SURE! Oh and BTW, now many would gladly “host” us, BUT, SORRY, NO! So, during the holiday and always, PLEASE REMEMBER Emmett Malloy and SAVWAY. Buy your wine and spirits there and let them know that you are a GRATEFUL DG Democrat. My husband and I always get everything we need at SAVWAY! SavWay is at 3821 York Road, Oak Brook next to the McDonalds.  HAVE A GREAT AND HAPPY HOLIDAY! And also celebrate Biden’s Infra-structure win and the unemployment/employment numbers! With Biden WE and OUR FAMILIES are winning!

DGTDO SUPPORTS MILITARY SERVING OVERSEAS. By Chris Hotchkin Our collection for Operation Support Our Troops Holiday Stocking Program was very much appreciated by the volunteers at OSOT. We collected about 150 POUNDS of items that were immediately included in stockings stuffed by volunteers each Thursday and Saturday at the OSOT warehouse in Lisle. These stockings are packed into mailing boxes and sent to troops serving overseas who are delighted to receive some holiday cheer from home. Thank you for supporting the troops!

OFFICE RESOURCES

DGTDO OFFICE RESOURCES AVAILABLE. DGTDO Office resources are available for volunteers and PC. Here are some of them:   To reserve the office for a meeting, text Sue at 630-441-6640 or email at [email protected]. Provide date, time, reason and how many people are expected. Print and make copies of PC letters to voters thanking them for voting Voter lists based on your needs - contact Sue Sitton at [email protected] if you need help Run and print voter lists Voter labels for mailings Let us know what you need.

STAY CONNECTED.

DGTDO OFFICE IS OPEN. The office will be closed Saturnday morning after Thanksgiving. Now that the office is open, we have coffee and chat on Saturday mornings - in person. Typically people show up around 10 am, but the office is open from 9 am to 12 noon. Stop by for good conversation with like-minded democrats. It helps to keep our sanity and to get caught up on what's going on is our community. You might also find a great volunteer opportunity.

POSTCARDS TO SWING STATES AVAILABLE AT DGTDO. Are you interested in writing postcards to swing states? Stop by DGTDO office and pick them up. We currently have postcards for Florida and Georgia. The deadline for mailing is January 7, 2022. Thanks for your help.

MORE EVENTS AND RESOURCES

JOIN PEACE TOASTMASTERS. PEACE! TOASTMASTERS 1ST FRIDAY 6:30-8:30PM (virtual) 3RD SUNDAY 3:00-5:00pm (in person) DUPAGE DEMOCRATS OFFICE WWW.PEACETOASTMASTERS.ORG Improve your impromptu speaking Learn to articulate your message clearly Learn to use feedback to improve performance Try out new ideas Vent with like-minded people

Federal Elected Officials White House: (202) 456-1111    www.whitehouse.gov   Click on GET INVOLVED in the blue header Dept of Justice: (202) 353-1555 Congressional Switchboard for Both House and Senate: (202) 224-3121 Local offices if Washington office is busy: Sen. Dick Durbin (312) 353-4952 Sen. Tammy Duckworth (312) 886-3506 Rep. Sean Casten 202-225-4561, 630-520-9450 Rep. Mike Quigley (773) 267-5926 Rep. Bill Foster (630) 585-7672 Rep. Marie Newman (773) 948-6223 Illinois State Elected Officials  State of IL: JB Pritzker: (217) 782-0244 State Sen Suzy Glowiak (217) 782-8148, (630) 785-3177 Rep Deanne Mazzochi (R) (217) 782-1448, (630) 852-8633 State Sen John Curran (R) (630) 796-2623, (217) 82-9407 State Rep Jim Durkin (R) (217) 782-0494, (630) 325-2028 State Rep Anne Stava-Murray (217) 782-6578 , 630-605-0595 DuPage County Board Elected Officials District 2 Elizabeth Chaplin [email protected] 630-518-6740 Paula Deacon Garcia [email protected] 630-407-6023 Pete DiCianni (R) [email protected] 630-834-4059 District 3 Greg Hart (R) [email protected] 630-407-6023 Brian Krajewski (R) [email protected] 630-435-6340 Julie Renehan [email protected] 630-407-6023

Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday. Open again on Monday

DGTDO OFFICE HOURS: November / December DGTDO Office (PO Box 785) 908 Curtiss, Downers Grove 630-297-8600 Monday 1:30 to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday 1:30 to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday 1:30 to 6:00 p.m. Thursday 1:30 to 6:00 p.m. Friday 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

For most current list of events, go to www.dgdemocrats.org/   Upcoming Events and Key Election Dates Types of events: DGTDO, Candidate, Education / Issues, “Be Active”, Organization Meeting To add events to the following list, email information to [email protected]   Updated November 24, 2021 Recurring Events DGTDO Office Hours Saturdays, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Stop by for coffee and chat. Good conversation with like-minded people. DGTDO Office 908 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove   November 2021 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!   December 2021 December 3 (Friday), 6:00 to 9:00 pm  PEACE Toastmasters Meeting  (1st Fridays, 3rd Sundays) (hosted by: PEACE Toastmasters, DuPage Women of DuPage County, DuPage Dems) Virtual Meeting (event details) December 8 (Wednesday), 7:30 to 9:00 pm  DGTDO Monthly Meeting (2nd Wednesday) (hosted by: Downers Grove Township Democratic Organization D99 Administration Building 6301 Springside, Downers Grove December 17 (Friday), 6:00 to 9:30 pm DuPage Dems Holiday Party (hosted by: DuPage Dems) Abbington Banquets 3S002 Route 53, Glen Ellyn (tickets) December 19 (Sunday), 3:00 to 5:00 pm PEACE Toastmasters Meeting  (1st Fridays, 3rd Sundays) (hosted by: PEACE Toastmasters, DuPage Women of DuPage County, DuPage Dems) In-Person – check for location (event details)

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