January 2022
FROM OUR LEADERSHIP
HELP ELECT DEMORATIC CANDIDATES!
MAKE A DIFFERENCE. BE AN ELECTED PRECINCT COMMITTEEPERSON!
By Greg Hose, DGTDO Chair
DuPage County has redrawn the districts for County Board and Forest Preserve. However, the County Board did not approve the precinct maps proposed by the County Clerk. As a result, precinct committeepeople will run in their current, 2010 precincts. Re-drawn precinct maps will be approved at a later date but they will not take effect until after the June primary.

Are you interested in becoming a new elected PC? If so, send an email to Sue at sasitton@aol.com

Here's the link to DuPage County Precinct Committeeperson packet:

If you are running again as an elected PC in your precinct, you need to review the packet and fill out the Statement of Candidacy (page 4) and Petition (page 5). If you need help completing the Petition and Statement of Candidacy, send an email to Sue at sasitton@aol.com. Include your name (as you want it to appear on the ballot) and your complete address. The office volunteers can complete the forms and make copies for you.

The required number of signatures is 7 instead of 10 because the amount of time to circulate petitions is 2 months, not 3.

Key dates to remember:

  • January 14 - Begin circulating petitions for signatures
  • March 7 to 14 - Filing Petitions**
  • June 28 - General Primary Election

** Bring your notarized Petition and Statement of Candidacy to the DGTDO office by March 7. We will schedule notary hours at the DGTDO office. Stay tuned. We will deliver all notarized PC petitions we received by March 7 to the Election Commission and file them for you.

Best Regards,
Greg
INVEST IN THE DGTDO. ACT.
WIN 2022!
By Leslie Sadowski-Fugitt
Any elected official or campaign staffer will tell you not to discount the power of social media. Well, we are signing our names to that sentiment. As we head into the 2022 election cycle, now more than ever we must use every avenue we have to share our accomplishments, values, and objectives for county, state, and federal offices. I am currently a one-woman operation mostly using Facebook, but there are many other ways to engage voters. I need YOUR help to keep DGTDO front and center in people’s minds. Here is how you can help:

  • If you are a social media novice you can comment and share our posts on Facebook. If you see a great article or post from a local elected official, share that with me at leslie.sadowski@gmail.com.
  • If you consider yourself comfortable on social media, comment, share, and add your own commentary to the DGTDO Facebook group. If you see a great article or post from an elected official or Democratic organization, share that as well!
  • If you are an expert, join my (currently one-woman) team! There are opportunities to help with content creation, as well as spreading beyond the Facebook walls into Twitter, Instagram, and beyond. Just as elected officials cannot run a campaign alone, neither can the organization.

Now is the time to step up and invest in and act on behalf of the DGTDO so we can WIN 2022!

Here is a great start: This is what we can do when Democrats have the majority:

  • Illinois Fiscal Responsibility: First ratings upgrades in 20+ years, nearly eliminated the multi-billion-dollar bill backlog, balanced three state budgets; at the county level, passed a bipartisan budget for 2022
  • Economic growth: Statewide unemployment reaching historic lows, 17% job growth from April 2020 through the end of 2021, bipartisan infrastructure agreement
  • Health Care: Required insurance providers to cover substance use treatment and mental health disorders, capped out-of-pocket insult costs, strengthened reproductive rights and expanded Medicaid coverage to 12 months postpartum
  • Public Safety: Reimagine Public Safety Initiative, enacted comprehensive state firearms laws, passed the SAFE-T Act for policing reform
  • Public Health: Increased testing opportunities as the need grew, mask mandates; at the county level, DuPage has consistently been the most vaccinated county in Illinois

And this is just a start. There are countless other examples to show that when Democrats win, DEMOCRATS DELIVER results. Join us!
DEMOCRATS DELIVER. THIS AND MORE!
YES. DEMOCRATS DO DELIVER - DuPAGE COUNTY BOARD.
By Julie Renehan
Dems deliver! This is certainly true on the DuPage County Board. As Chair of both the Judicial and Public Safety and the Health & Human Services Committees, I’m proud to share achievements of the first ever majority Democratic County Board.

Our Board exerted tremendous effort judiciously allocating $179M in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants under the leadership of Finance Chair Liz Chaplin. In addition to supporting struggling businesses, we chose to support impactful projects that will benefit the County for years to come.

On Human Services, made up wholly of Democrats, we won bipartisan support for $10.8M funding for mental health and substance abuse programs, food insecurity and preventing homelessness. Prioritizing preventing homelessness, HHS collaborated with PADS, committing $5M, renovating a hotel into a homeless shelter. While we wish residents would never experience the difficulties of homelessness, we recognized early on in the pandemic that a hotel room as shelter was preferable in privacy, health and safety to mobile shelter, especially for families.

As a pro bono attorney, it was a priority to assist pro se clients during eviction processes. Our Community Services division added outreach to educate residents on options, funded Prairie State Legal attorneys and DuPage Bar mediators as advocates in the eviction court. I can report according to Illinois Department of Housing figures, DuPage County leads the state in court based rental assistance. DuPage has administered $24.5M in federal grants toward rent assistance, preventing eviction for over 2,500 residents.

The DuPage County Care Center takes wonderful care of our seniors and vulnerable residents, largely low income residents, and will receive $20M for much needed structural and aesthetic improvements. The goal? Attracting and serving as a valuable nursing resource for more County residents.

And despite Republican aspersions, Democrats strongly supported law enforcement with millions spent funding criminal justice supports such as body cameras, officer training and wages. In Judicial and Public Safety, we approved funding for a much needed build-out of the Judicial Center. Our bipartisan team worked with the Chief Judge, Probation, State’s Attorney, Public Defender, selecting a $19 M plan to address long standing space challenges and newer legislative requirements. When the county-wide MERIT task force requested a command center and armored vehicle, I urged JPS members to consult law enforcement partners. The result? Democrats unanimously approved MERIT’s request.

So, if anyone asks- Yes, Democrats do deliver.
DEMOCRATS DELIVER - SPRINGFIELD.
By Joanna WIlliams
Over the last 3 years Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly have taken actions that dramatically improved our state’s finances, saved lives and invested in our future.
Some highlights:

Responsible Financial Management:
  • After years without a budget, Illinois has stabilized its finances leading to the state’s first rating upgrades in over 20 years.
  • The multi-billion- dollar backlog has nearly been eliminated and Illinois is paying its bills on time for the first time in20 years.
  • The state has had 3 straight balanced budgets, investing in key priorities like education, healthcare, public safety and human services while paying down the state’s debt.

Economic Growth & Creating Jobs:
  • Prioritizing job creation, achieving 17% job growth from April 2020 to the end of 2021, adding more than 859,000 jobs and reducing the unemployment rate from 16.5% to 5.7%.
  • Bipartisan agreement to rebuild and modernize the state’s roads, bridges, public buildings, colleges, waterways, ports, parks, public transportation and other key infrastructure.
  • Creation of Connect Illinois to make high speed internet available to every resident and business by 2024.

Addressing Climate Change:
  • Incentives for electric vehicle, battery and EV charging manufacturers to build facilities and create jobs in Illinois.
  • First Midwest state to require 100% carbon-free energy by 2045, phasing out private coal by 2030 and all coal and natural gas by 2045.
  • Expansion of wind and solar production. $4000 rebates to consumers for electric vehicles.

Improving Health Care Quality and Affordability:
  • $38 billion provided to hospitals to increase patient access to medical treatment in underserved communities.
  • Out-of-pocket costs for insulin capped at $100 for 30-day supply and the cost of prescription drugs lowered.
  • Enshrined women’s reproductive rights in Illinois law in case Roe v. Wade is reversed.

Pandemic Leadership – Keeping People Safe From the Virus:
  • Among the first states in the nation to slow the spread of COVID-19 by providing free COVID-19 treatment to any Illinois resident and free COVID-19 testing.
  • A vaccination leader in the Midwest:  90% of seniors vaccinated. More than 19 million vaccinations administered, 2 million at state-run sites and 5,500 mobile clinics.
  • Reimplemented mask requirements ahead of a late 2021 surge, leading Illinois to have the fewest COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths per capita in the Midwest by end of 2021.
DEMOCRATS DELIVER - WASHINGTON
By Joanna WIlliams
Despite some bumps in the road, Joe Biden and the Democrats have achieved a number of major accomplishments. For example:

Infrastructure: The bipartisan (but mostly Democratic) $1.2 trillion bill will fix roads, bridges, ports, airports, the electric grid, internet access and drinking water while creating over a million new jobs.
Our share in Illinois? About $18 billion in new spending to add to Gov Pritzker’s $45 billion “Rebuild Illinois” program.

The Economy: Despite increasing inflation numbers, there has been considerable improvement in jobs and wage growth. The unemployment rate is at 4.2%, a 21-month low. Wages and salaries paid by private businesses rose 2.4%, disposable income by 3%, and American are expected to receive the largest pay increase in over a decade in 2022.

Judicial Appointments: In the face of continual Republican obstruction, the Senate has confirmed 40 judges appointed by President Biden – the highest number in a first term in over 50 years. Contrary to GOP appointments, Biden’s judicial choices are the most diverse by far in history - 80% are women, 53% are people of color. Key to the progress in confirming nominees is Senator Durbin, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the decision to bypass the “blue slip”, a kind of mini-filibuster used for judicial nominees.

COVID: When Biden was inaugurated 1% of Americans had been vaccinated, now 76% have had at least one shot and 63% are fully vaccinated. Democrats (without a single Republican vote) passed the $1.9 trillion Covid Relief Bill, sending direct payments to most American families and emergency funding to state and local governments for covid response.

“Biden’s presidency is a work in progress with significant bumps and distractions along the way. BBB is still not passed, nor has voting rights legislation. Inflation remains a real threat. There has been little progress on immigration. But considering Biden’s narrow margins in Congress, a hostile Supreme Court, recalcitrant GOP governors sabotaging his vaccination efforts and an antidemocratic GOP, he deserves more credit than he has received. Moreover, the return of a decent, empathetic and informed president is something all Americans should cheer.” (Jennifer Rubin).
TIME TO ACT!
IT'S TIME TO GET BUSY!
By Carla Feinkind
Happy New Year?

As I look around, I see many people in my own circles and on TV who are ANGRY. And I get it. Omicron is spreading like wildfire, tests are hard to get and N95 masks are too expensive. Meanwhile, the GOP opposes vaccine and mask mandates, increasing outbreaks and raising the chances of yet another COVID-19 variant. And while more people have receded back into their homes, economical demand and wages have gone up leading to rising inflation.

Amidst all of this, the GOP is still obstructing EVERYTHING that Biden and the Democrats try to do. In red states, the GOP is feverishly passing bills to obstruct voting rights. Maybe it’s because they KNOW they are a minority party and that without their dirty tricks, the GOP will never win another fair and free election, again.
So, yes, many Democrats feel angry, and they blame Biden. But I ask: When did we start to think of our government as a one-man deal? This is NOT Russia. This is still a Democracy and that means… WE ALL HAVE WORK TO DO!

  • Call Congress! Both Houses can be reached at (202) 224-3121. Call your Senators and Congressmen, but also call McConnell, Manchin and even Sinema! Demand that Congress pass the Voting Rights Bill! And remember, not one Republican voted for Joe’s recovery bills. Tell the interns who answer the phones that we are noticing - the GOP does not care about the middle class!
  • Call the White House comment line, (202) 456-1111, or leave an online comment, https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/. Encourage Biden but also let him know what you think we need to be doing, namely better and more consistent messaging. Ask him to KEEP pushing for the right to vote!
  • Talk with family and friends! Listen, but focus on “actual, factual, facts” versus toxic GOP lies.
  • Chip in to local and national Democratic campaigns. Help elect Democrats EVERYWHERE. Even just a few dollars donated helps them get the necessary clicks!
  • Chip in to our office, which is ground zero for building another BIG BLUE WAVE here in 2022 and 2024. Democracy is work, and DGTDO takes it seriously. Look for all of the ways YOU can be the BLUE WAVE in this newsletter.

If we only sit on our hands and look away, the GOP won’t need to stage a coup. They will have already broken our democracy. Remember: If not now, when? If not us, (and our friends and family) who?! 
FUNDRAISING: CRITICAL TO WINNING!
PETITION FEST AND FUNDRAISER
Sunday, February 6
2:00 to 5:00 pm
at
Miskatonic Brewing Company
1000 N. Frontage Road, Unit C, Darien

PETITION FEST 2022 AND FUNDRAISER.
By Chris Hotchkin
Petition Fest 2022 will be an opportunity for Democrats to come together to sign petitions to get our candidates on the primary ballot for 2022.

At the same time, we will enjoy beer-tasting and snacks and a chance to chat with our candidates. Petition Fest will be January 23, 2:00 to 5:00 at Miskatonic Brewery, 1000 N. Frontage Road, Unit C, Darien. Tickets are $40 for beer, cider, seltzer, and snacks.

Sponsorships for the event are Bronze $100, Silver $250, Gold $500, and platinum $1,000.

To purchase tickets go to:

Send checks to DGTDO, PO Box 785,
Downers Grove 60515
2022 MIDTERM COUNTDOWN!
41 WEEKS AND COUNTING.
DGTDO Fundraising Committee
As Democrats, we stand for values that support our community and the well-being of its citizens. We strive for inclusion. When we elect Democrats, we have the opportunity to 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. We must keep the majorities that we worked so hard to achieve.

INVEST. ACT. WIN 2022! is an effort to remind each of us that we need to be financially ready for 2022.

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

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!
Thank you for your support!
DEMOCRATIC WOMEN OF DUPAGE COUNTY
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL EVENT.
By Chris Hotchkin
The Democratic Women of DuPage County held their Annual Meeting via Zoom on Saturday morning, January 15. We were pleased to have two wonderful keynote speakers: Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton and DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek.

Dianne McGuire assumed the role of President for 2022. Jennifer Zordani was elected Vice President and Annie Wick was elected Recording Secretary.

22-4-22, the Fundraising Drive to raise money for Democratic women candidates running for DuPage County offices, DuPage County Board, Forest Preserve Board, and Judicial candidates, has raised over $40,000. All donors were recognized and appreciated.
GET INVOLVED!
PC CORNER. JANUARY 2022
By Chris Hotchkin
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 (sasitton@aol.com) in our office.

While young people are home from college for 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/.
VOLUNTEERS: OUR MOST VALUABLE ASSET!
By Sue Sitton
Even if you have been involved in DGTDO for months or for many years, let us know what your interests are. Take a moment to fill out the Interest Survey.

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 155 days until Primary Election Day (June 28 2022).

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 sasitton@aol.com.

Thank you for getting involved!
JOIN THE DGTDO EVENTS COMMITTEE. REMINDER.
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 CHotchkin@sbcglobal.net. We welcome and need your participation! This committee will likely meet about once a month, either at the office or via Zoom.
OFFICE RESOURCES
DGTDO OFFICE RESOURCES AVAILABLE.
DGTDO Office resources are available for volunteers and PC. Here are some of them:
 
  • Fill out and print petitions for Elected PCs
  • Pick up Candidate Petitions - we have most candiate petitions for DGT
  • To reserve the office for a meeting, text Sue at 630-441-6640 or email at sasitton@aol.com. 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 sasitton@aol.com if you need help
  • Run and print voter lists
  • Voter labels for mailings

Let us know what you need.
DGTDO WEBSITE UPDATED.
Here's what's new:

  • On the "Election 2022" page, a list of candidates in DG Township has been added. Additional information will be added as we get it. Stop by the office to pick up and/or sign petitions.

If you have updates, send an email to Sue at sasitton@aol.com. Also, 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.
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

  • 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   
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
DGTDO OFFICE HOURS:
January / February
DGTDO Office
(PO Box 785)
908 Curtiss St, 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.

We will be adding Notary hours soon.
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 dgdemocrats@gmail.com

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
 
January 2022
 

February 2022
February 4 (Friday), 6:00 to 9:00 pm 
PEACE Toastmasters Meeting  (1st Fridays, 3rd Sundays)
Virtual Meeting

February 9 (Wednesday), 7:30 to 9:00 pm 
DGTDO Monthly Meeting (2nd Wednesday)
D99 Administration Building
6301 Springside, Downers Grove

February 20 (Sunday), 3:00 to 5:00 pm
PEACE Toastmasters Meeting  (1st Fridays, 3rd Sundays)
Virtual Event