LET'S START WITH A FUN FACT! |
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CHEER UP! WE'RE NUMBER ONE!!!
By Joanna Williams
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Chicago has been named The Best Big (over 1 million) City in the US for the 5th year in a row by Conde Nast Traveler. More than 800,000 survey-takers picked Chicago over New York, Boston, New Orleans, and San Francisco among others. The magazine called it a “world class destination known for its impressive architecture, first-rate museums, brilliant chefs and massive brewing scene”. Also noted by the magazine, Chicago has 77 amazing neighborhoods so it takes several visits to fully explore them all.
So, get out there and enjoy our #1 city!
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MEET OUR NEW VICE CHAIR OF COMMUNICATIONS.
By Leslie Sadowski-Fugitt
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Most of you know me as either a PC and a local elected official. I joined DGTDO when my husband and I moved here in late 2012, trying to find my place in the sea of red in DuPage County. It took me a few years to ramp up my involvement, and I am thrilled to be connected with such a well-run organization despite the decades of Republican domination in our area.
I’m now lucky enough to have been appointed as Vice Chair of Communications for the DGTDO. In my role, I plan to help with messaging and grow our social media presence. I will use the knowledge I have gained from my professional life, which includes social media operations in the health care field, and the fact that I am a proud millennial, to broaden our reach to the larger voting base who we know exists here in Downers Grove Township. I am starting with Facebook, to create targeted messaging that will encourage people to comment and engage with the township to create an online community where everyone feels welcomed and comfortable. I will also help to expand our Twitter presence to do the same, just with fewer characters and better sound bites.
None of this will be possible without our wonderful members and volunteers, however. We need everyone to step up to participate in our messaging, spread the word, and engage with the township on social media. While I am happy to help people navigate the social media waters and provide a unified voice, we need to ensure that voice and our values are making their way into the homes of those who are not yet connected with the organization. We know that 2022 is going to be a long, difficult election, and we need to start planning now. So please, start canvassing, donate, talk to your friends and neighbors, and join us in sharing our message on every platform you feel comfortable. We are in this together, and we will elect more Democrats in 2022 and beyond!
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DGTDO 2025: OUR VISION.
By Steve Leopoldo
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To grow a community of informed township residents that will reliably vote. How do we achieve our vision by 2025?
- Grow our email list to 14,000 township voters
- Grow our verified and opted-in mobile phone list to 8,000
- Grow our engaged social media presence to 500 Facebook members (Within that presence, aim for 75% of DGTDO posts to have comments/engagement)
- Motivate 2,500 reliable General Election Democratic to opt for permanent vote by mail status to encourage April voting.
- Provide valuable and relevant local government updates from our prospective through our content strategies
- Engage future leaders through Democratic youth organizations
- Engage current and new PCs through community service and social events
- Support an engaged membership base that reflects the diverse communities of our Township
- Grow list of sustaining members to support our continued physical presence, sponsor activities to achieve our goals, support elected officials, and the ability to communicate through paid channels.
- Train and support a base of local candidates (and officials) that reflect our Democratic values.
Stay tuned for more information!
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2022 KEY DATES.
By Steve Leopoldo
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Important Election Related Dates & Updates
- 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
Senate Bill 825 was signed into law a few months ago. This law not only changed our election schedule this year, but most importantly, created the opportunity for voters to opt for PERMANENT VOTE BY MAIL STATUS! This is a great opportunity for PCs to reach out their voters, particularly those we have a hard time getting out in April elections, and have them opt for a mailed ballot for every election. This has the potential for greatly boosting our April turnout for Democratic voters.
Only 626 votes separated us from winning the Highway Department last April. Can we identify 650 Democrats who reliably vote every November election and persuade them to sign up for permanent vote by mail status? Our goal by 2025 is to have at least 2,500 sign up by 2025.
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Send checks to DGTDO, PO Box 785,
Downers Grove 60515
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SUPPORT DGTDO OFFICE AND HELP ELECT DEMOCRATS! |
Please donate today to keep our office open and help us to continue our outreach to our voters. We will be meeting in person again and knocking on doors in this election cycle. In addition to social media and email, we will continue to outreach through the U.S. Mail. Also, we must continue to pay for our office rent, utilities and other expenses.
The DGTDO office is instrumental in supporting and electing Democrats to offices at all levels of government. We need to start planning for the 2022 election cycle. Because of redistricting, we will have more candidates in 2022 than in other election cycles. All US Representatives, State Senate, State Representatives, County Board, and Forrest Preserve Board positions will be up for election. We will be busy and your donation allows us to do the work to elect Democratic candidates.
If you are a monthly supporter, we appreciate your ongoing commitment to the organization. We also appreciate the annual checks that we have received from some of our special donors.
We hope that everyone will continue to donate to fund our work during this next vital election cycle. Don't forget, in recent elections, we elected a majority on the County Board and the Forest Preserve Commission, a judge to the Circuit Court, county wide offices, and to the State Legislature. It is our job to help get voters to the polls, and we welcome your support. Here are links to online donation opportunities:
Send checks to DGTDO, PO Box 785,
Downers Grove 60515
Thank you for your continued support!
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TOO BUSY? MAYBE NOT.
By Sue Sitton
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Have you ever said or heard “I’m sorry, I’m so busy and don’t have time to volunteer now”? Yes, we’ve all done it. The following is from a volunteer in a Chicago suburb sharing her experience of being overwhelmed and how the experience of writing postcards gave her hope. And, she was able to fit it into her busy life. Many volunteers will never make a phone call or knock a door. However, it can be a opportunity to engage a new volunteer and over time, support a volunteer’s desire to take on more responsibilities, such as be a committee chair, make phone calls, knock doors, host a party, and more. And who knows, maybe run for office!
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“[My friend] gave me your email address and asked me to share my experience with writing postcards after I messaged her and told her how much it’s impacted me. She’s also the reason that I signed up to write and send postcards this election season. [She] is one of my absolute best friends, and I so admire all that she is doing to try to find the good in the world and be the good in the world. I knew writing the postcards was a way that I could help try to do that as well.
I’ll be honest though. Initially, when I got the package of postcards, I was overwhelmed and couldn’t believe that I took on another thing that was going to add on to my too long “to do” list that can never seem to get anything taken off of it.
However, it honestly has been so calming for me to work on each night. I quietly sit and write out postcards for maybe an hour or so, or I watch TV and write them, or I do them in between helping my kids with their homework, and instead of it being another thing I have to do, it actually makes me less stressed. Writing these postcards makes me feel like I have some small positive thing I am contributing to try to make the world a little bit of a better place. With each post card, I have a little bit of hope. And, unfortunately, hope is something I lack these days.
I never thought this would bring me zen but it really has. Thank you for doing the work you are doing to bring that hope into the world. For many of us, hope has felt lost for too long. I’m so glad you and [my friend] have helped me find some of it again.” Stephanie G
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DGTDO ANNUAL WINE TASTING. |
Saturday, October 23
at 7:00 pm
DGTDO Wine Tasting and Fundraiser
SavWay Fine Wines & Spirits, 3821 S. York Rd., Oak Brook
Please be sure to be on time so you don't miss Greg Hosé's welcome and hear from our local elected officials, including Sean Casten. Invite your friends, family and neighbors! Go to the ActBlue link to reserve your tickets or make a donation. Also, can pay at the door.
Want to double down on your support of our shared Democratic values while mingling with our elected officials and enjoying some wine? Consider a sponsorship for the DGTD 2021 Wine Tasting!
- $100 earns you a Bronze level sponsorship
- $250 for Silver
- $500 for Gold
- $1000 for Platinum, which also happens to come with our eternal gratitude (And who knows, maybe we can elect more Democrats with that money!)
Whichever level you choose, it will be an evening of fun and community. We look forward to seeing you!
(Hint, hint, for any newbies to the organization, this is a low stress way to start).
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Friday, November 12
1:00 to 5:00 pm
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SAVE LIVES! SIGN UP TODAY! |
It’s time to do what we can to help save lives. Once again, DGTDO is partnering with Versiti to sponsor a blood drive on Friday, November 12 from 1:00 to 5:00. The event will take place in the mobile coach parked along Washington at the corner near Curtiss.
To sign up to donate, visit www.versiti.org/IL or call/text Camille from Versiti at 847-305-9998.
Photo ID and masks are required for all donors.
All donors will receive a $15 e-gift card that can be used at a variety of stores!
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Monday, November 22, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Greek Islands
300 22nd St.
Lombard, IL 60148
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DWDC ANNUAL GREEK ISLANDS EVENT. |
Please join the Democratic Women of DuPage County for our annual Legislative Dinner, which we are happy to announce will once again be an in-person event!
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Date: November 22, 2021
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Schedule: 6:00 Meet and Greet; 6:30 Greek Dinner and Guest Speaker
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Location: Greek Islands, 300 22nd St., Lombard, IL 60148
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Cost: $70.00 Dinner and 2022 Membership Dues, $50.00 Dinner only
We are very excited that this event will be held in-person; however, it is necessary to implement the following COVID Safety Protocols:
- Socially distanced seating
- Maximum capacity:70 attendees. RSVP and prepayment required
- Masks required except while eating/drinking
- COVID Vaccination Cards to be provided at door
Please RSVP as quickly as possible to reserve your seats for this event. Reservations will be on a first come/first serve basis and will be closed when we reach 70 guests. There are two options for your RSVP:
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Online: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/2021greekislands for Credit Card payments only.
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Email/Mail: [email protected] Please send your name and # of attendees to the above email. Your reservation will be held for prepayment until Nov. 15th. Mail check to PO Box or drop off to the Downers Grove Township Democrats office: Drop off at 908 Curtiss St, Downers Grove Or Mail to: DGTDO, PO Box 785, Downers Grove, IL. 60515
Thank you,
We look forward to seeing you!
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DONATE ITEMS FOR TROOPS OVERSEAS FOR THE HOLIDAYS. |
The Downers Grove Township Democratic Organization will hold a collection drive for items to send to troops deployed overseas during the holidays. We will donate collected items to Operation Support Our Troops (OSOT) who pack holiday stockings and send them to the troops at the end of November. We will collect these items in our office at 908 Curtiss in Downers Grove, which is open Saturday mornings 9:00 a.m. to noon, or afternoons Monday through Thursday 1:30 to 6:00 and Friday 2:00 to 6:00 from now through November 13.
Here is a list of items that OSOT would like to have donated for their stockings for the troops:
- Gum and mints
- Candy (individually wrapped as in Halloween candy)
- Puzzle books
- AA batteries
- Hand warmers
- Pens and mechanical pencils
- DVD’s
- Snack cookies and crackers (small packages)
- Instant oatmeal packets
- Beef jerkey (small packages or individually wrapped)
- Dental floss
- Chapstick
- Letters and cards of support for the troops
- Paracord bracelets
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THE OBAMA LEGACY INITIATIVE.
By Chris Hotchkin
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The Obama Legacy Initiative (OLI) was formed in 2015 by Sean Tenner and Fred Greenwood. They wanted to create a way to honor President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for their service to our country and for their humanitarian ideals. President Obama said, “As the wealthiest nation on Earth, I believe the United States has a moral obligation to lead the fight against hunger and malnutrition and to partner with others.”
The Organization
The Obama Legacy Initiative is not a political organization, nor is it affiliated with the Obamas. It is a charitable 501c3 organization inspired by the work of the Obamas. The mission of OLI is to provide healthy, nutritious food to Americans who are impoverished or have difficulty accessing healthy food. OLI partners with community organizations to distribute healthy, fresh vegetables to people who otherwise have difficulty obtaining such food. OLI also has corporate partners such as Home Depot that provide gardening materials. OLI is governed by a Board of Directors. A special feature of OLI is the inclusion of high school interns as a vital part of their team who are directly involved in the planning and execution of OLI programs.
Carrying Out the Mission of OLI
The Obama Legacy Initiative grows vegetables in raised garden beds in various locations in northern Illinois. It also auctions off beautifully painted and decorated raised garden beds to raise funds for the organization and to encourage those who obtain the beds to donate some of their produce to food banks. OLI employs the talents of local artists who decorate the garden beds in original and individually inspired creations.
OLI has donated garden beds to community areas in Aurora, Joliet, and Rockford. OLI has garden beds in the community gardens in Naperville and they donate the produce from these beds to food pantries such as the Northern Illinois Food Bank, and the Warren Sharpe Community Center in Joliet. OLI also works to educate people in various communities about how to grow nutritious food.
Gold Star Memorial Garden Beds
A special OLI project has been the creation of six beautifully painted garden beds honoring fallen service members. These beds are located in Naper Settlement in Naperville and were recently dedicated in an event held at the settlement on Gold Star Family Day, the last Sunday in September. On Memorial Day 2020 the OLI held a memorable ceremony in honor of PFC Gunnar Hotchkin of Naperville and presented a beautifully painted garden bed to Gunnar’s family for their yard. This ceremony
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HOW SERIOUS ARE YOU ABOUT SAVING OUR DEMOCRACY?
By Carla Feinkind
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It REALLY is as serious as that. Trump really lost and Biden really WON but, Trump still has NOT conceded and the GOP remains GLUED to his side. The GOP is helping Trump attack our Democracy.
The GOP obstructs the January 6th investigations of those "peaceful tourists" /terrorists that had the Congress running for their lives to the basement and left some Capital Police dead and many mentally scarred. By the way, who paid for all of the destruction of those MAGA "tourists"? We paid those MILLIONS.
Meanwhile, the GOP focuses on the trillion dollar price tag of Biden's agenda to HELP THE MIDDLE CLASS. We must focus on/MESSAGE how stupid it'd be to NOT pass Biden's Build Back Better programs. The programs will help the economy-- create MIDDLE CLASS JOBS, alleviate POVERTY and provide educational and care opportunities that working/middle class families NEED. The programs will REPAIR our failing roads and bridges, internet/grid and ...WATER systems. The GOP IS LITERALLY ATTACKING AMERICAN FAMILIES. The jobs that are created will GROW the economy ...and pay for the bill!
The GOP has NO standing to grandstand about the debt ceiling which is actually Trump's debt. If we don't raise the debt ceiling for REAL, NOT just for a few months, our economy and standing in the world will TANK. Democrats UNDERSTAND what is necessary for America and voted to raise the debt ceiling during Trump's presidency even as he broke the BANK with his tax cuts for the mega wealthy and BIG Corporations.
The GOP stays united as it lies and uses political theater to distract from the REAL issues. It is pressing an agenda of hate and divisions and one that attacks women's rights to CHOICE and the CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO VOTE! The GOP knows when they suppress free access to the ballot/vote, THE GOP WINS and We the People lose--our families LOSE!
Get BUSY NOW to protect our families and our DEMOCRACY against the GOP! CALL Both Houses of Congress, 202 224-3121! Make sure Congress hears YOUR VOICES! Chip into Democrats locally and nationwide to protect our VOTES, OUR RIGHTS TO HEALTHCARE and CHOICE, OUR FUTURE!
Isn't it TREASON to attack our Democracy, economy, jobs, votes, our choices about healthcare for ourselves and our families? THE GOP HAS BECOME THE PARTY OF MALICE....and TREASON AGAINST THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
WE MUST GET BUSY! EVERYTHING IS AT STAKE. IF NOT NOW, WHEN?????
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Thank you
Jean Kaczmarek and the
DuPage Election Division Staff
for their organization and hard work.
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DuPAGE AUDITOR RECOUNT UPDATE.
By Nate Sippel
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Following a lawsuit from former Auditor Bob Grogan, a Judge ordered a full recount in the 2020 race that was separated by 75 votes in favor of Auditor Bill White. The recount was to begin on Monday, October 4th and was scheduled to last up to 3 weeks. On the first day of the recount, 30 Republican and Democratic election judges, as well as recount observers, gathered in the auditorium of the Jack T. Knuepfer Building. The recount began by checking paper election-day ballots for any that may be missing initials from election judges to be then separated for review by the Judge in the lawsuit. Thanks to the hard work of the Election Division and the election judges, all of these paper ballots were reviewed in just one day! Moving forward with the recount, judges were then to check vote by mail envelopes and segregate any that may be missing a signature from the voter or were postmarked after election day for review. Once again working with incredible efficiency, all of the work was completed by mid-day Wednesday, October 6th.
The key take-away from this recount has been that the Election Division ran a remarkably accurate election in 2020. Of the 180,000 vote by mail ballots that were cast, only 196 envelopes were segregated for further review. Even the majority of those will be resolved at a later date. With the recount now over, all indications remain that Auditor Bill White prevailed in the recount, and we now wait for a final decision from the court. We also would like to thank our DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek for how efficient and well organized the recount proved to be, and just how incredibly accurate the results of the 2020 election were.
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PC CORNER & OFFICE RESOURCES |
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PC CORNER - OCTOBER 2021.
By Chris Hotchkin
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Enjoy the beautiful fall weather by joining the Recruitment Canvassing, Saturday mornings or Sunday afternoons at the office. You can ask to do your own precinct or venture out into another precinct. You will be visiting strong Democrats and having some pleasant conversations, and you will be helping DGTDO gear up for a strong voter turnout in 2022.
This is a good time to register voters. Visit Democratic families in your precinct to see if they have any new voters to be registered. You can direct them to the Illinois Online Voter Registration at ova.elections.il.gov.
In addition to serving as a precinct committeeperson (a very critical part of our work to Elect Democrats!), there may be other roles you would like to play to help our organization. Do you like to plan events? Do you like to organize an effort such as postcard writing? Do you like to train others? Do you like to design websites or publicity flyers? Watch this newsletter and our DGTDO emails for opportunities to use your talents.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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 are currently finishing postcards to Virginia and New Jersey (to be mailed by 10/25). Soon we will have postcards for other campaigns that have mailing dates in January 2022. Thanks for your help. |
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MORE EVENTS AND RESOURCES |
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WE THE PEOPLE CONSTITUTION DISCUSSION GROUP (Virtual)
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TOPIC: To be announced
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Tuesday, November 9
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
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PEACE! TOASTMASTERS
1ST FRIDAY 6:30-8:30PM (virtual)
3RD SUNDAY 3:00-5:00pm (in person)
DUPAGE DEMOCRATS OFFICE
- 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
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Federal Elected Officials
White House: (202) 456-1111
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
630-518-6740
Paula Deacon Garcia
630-407-6023
Pete DiCianni (R)
630-834-4059
District 3
Greg Hart (R)
630-407-6023
Brian Krajewski (R)
630-435-6340
Julie Renehan
630-407-6023
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DGTDO OFFICE HOURS:
October / November
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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.
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Upcoming Events and Key Election Dates
Types of events: DGTDO, Candidate, Education / Issues, “Be Active”, Organization Meeting
Updated October 22, 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
October 2021
October 23 (Saturday), 6:00 to 8:00 pm
DGTDO Wine Tasting & Fundraiser
(hosted by: Downers Grove Township Democratic Org.)
SavWay Fine Wines & Spirits
3821 South York Road, Oakbrook
Tickets or cash or check at the door
October 24 (Sunday), 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Teaching Loss & Learning Loss
(hosted by: ACE Act. Connect. Engage.)
Virtual Meeting
November 2021
November 5 (Friday), 6:00 to 9:00 pm
PEACE Toastmasters Meeting (1st Fridays, 3rd Sundays)
Virtual Meeting
November 9 (Tuesday), 6:30 to 8:00 pm
We the People Constitution Discussion Group
Virtual Meeting
Details to follow
November 10 (Wednesday), 7:30 to 9:00 pm
DGTDO Monthly Meeting (2nd Wednesday)
D99 Administration Building
6301 Springside, Downers Grove
November 12 (Friday), 1:00 to 5:00 pm
DGTDO Blood Drive
DGTDO Office
908 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove
(mobile coach parked along Washington north of Curtiss)
November 21 (Sunday), 3:00 to 5:00 pm
PEACE Toastmasters Meeting (1st Fridays, 3rd Sundays)
In-Person – check for location
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