MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR – AUGUST 2019

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR – AUGUST 2019


By Kim Savage


Do you believe the summer is over? It flew by fast while we have been making plans for the upcoming 2020 election. With about 440 days to go until we vote to retire 45 from office, it may seem like an eternity. In reality, it is already GO TIME!


On September 3, candidates will begin circulating petitions to get on the ballot! This includes all candidates from the Presidential race to the Circuit Court Judges. A month later, delegates for the Democratic National Convention will also start collecting signatures. Depending on which congressional district you live in, there may be dozens of delegate candidates on your ballot.


We will kick off the petition drive on September 7 at our office at 908 Curtiss Street in Downers Grove. Come meet elected officials and candidates and sign petitions! Better yet, take action and spend an hour or two circulating petitions to help get more Democrats on the ballot!


Every election year, you hear that this is the most important election of your lifetime. This time, it is absolutely true. It is imperative that we elect a Democratic President. It is also equally vital that we hold the ground we claimed in 2018 in the U.S. Congress, the state legislature and in DuPage County. We must also increase the number of Democrats elected to the county board, county wide offices, and the circuit court. Everyone must engage in this process to promote candidates, educate voters, and ensure that all eligible Democratic voters are registered and cast their ballots.


Please stay tuned in to our newsletters, social media pages, and email blasts to find out how you can help. There is a role for everyone in this election. Be passionate, be engaged, and let’s get going!

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR - JULY

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR - JULY

By Kim Savage, DGTDO Chair


Are you ready? We have an important election cycle on the horizon! While most people are focused on the Presidential Election, it is already time to get set for the county, state, congressional and senate races in 2020.

Candidates don’t magically appear on the ballot, so DGTDO is working closely with the Democratic Party of DuPage County to ensure that candidates are recruited to run for the positions available in DuPage County, as well as looking for people to run against Republican State Representatives.


Getting candidates on the ballot and then contacting voters to promote the candidates requires a large volunteer base. Over the summer, DGTDO volunteers have been connecting with voters in precincts where there are currently no elected Precinct Committeepeople. This is not a new activity for DGTDO, in fact, in 2007 our own Chris Hotchkin led a county-wide team that scheduled recruitment canvasses in almost every township. The goal of these canvasses is to build community among local Democrats.


The DGTDO Events and Outreach Committee has done an outstanding job of scheduling programs in the office to create a hub of educational and social interaction for our Democratic neighbors. The office is our Democratic Community Center, which is staffed by volunteers who provide a safe space for Democrats to share ideas and meet other Democrats.


To achieve the best possible outcomes in the 2020 election, I encourage everyone to consider finding a new comfort level of involvement. Whether it is volunteering for an occasional canvass or phone bank, being a block captain, or becoming a Precinct Committeeperson, we need a strong volunteer base to make sure every Democrat understands the issues and then votes.


Check out the many opportunities highlighted in this newsletter to be part of the Democratic community in Downers Grove Township.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR - MAY EDITION

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR - MAY EDITION

By Kim Savage

Summer is coming and the next election seems to be far off in the distance, so it might seem natural to check out for a few months and take a break from politics. While it is true that the pace might be a little slower, the work must continue to ensure success in 2020.

The last two national election cycles have confirmed that we cannot rely on only strong Democratic voters to elect Democrats locally. We must expand our outreach to sporadic voters, especially those who have bought into the myth that DuPage County is solidly Republican. We need to continue to educate people that every vote matters. We need to encourage people to be among the many voices that stand up for community, for social justice, and for equality. We must be ready to welcome more people to the cause.

Are you new to the world of Democratic politics? Do you know people who have blindly voted Republican, or haven’t voted, who should be voting with the party of the people? If so, please invite them to join you at a social event or one of our monthly meetings. If you have been on the sidelines looking in, you are welcome to help build the future. While we do want to welcome people who genuinely support Democratic values, we must be cognizant that there are people who will jump onto the Blue Wave to bolster their agendas, boost their egos, or disrupt the positive flow that continues to swell for our causes.

We have our work cut out for us from the Presidency down to the County Board. Find your place in the movement and help your friends find theirs. Together we can accomplish great things! Be the change you want to see!

MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR - APRIL 2019

APRIL 2019 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

By Kim Savage

The recent municipal elections consumed the focus for many local Democrats for the past few months. Kudos to District 86 for finally passing a much needed referendum. Congratulations are in order to the Democrats who won seats on the Downers Grove Village Council, Darien City Council, school boards, library boards, and fire districts. While these are non-partisan races, make no mistake that the Republicans have used these opportunities to control the field for the past many years.

In the age of Trump, there has been a great clamor from Democrats to know who “their candidates” are. The problem is that some of the candidates, who are Democrats, do not want to be identified with that label and are not involved at all with party politics. We will develop a new solution for this issue moving forward. We will also have to rethink how we discuss these matters at our meetings, since we have had a Republican attend and cause some disruption to our last two meetings. It is unfortunate that we can’t have an open discussion of issues and strategies without concern for interlopers in the room.

Now that the local elections are over, you may be thinking it is time for a break. Maybe you can have a short breather, but it is now 2020 Game On! We can’t just talk about wanting a blue wave, or continuing a blue wave, we must be active in making it happen. From recruiting qualified candidates for county and state level offices to winnowing down the field of presidential candidates, the work needs to start now. Over the next few months, we will be preparing for the petition season when candidates will need to collect a sufficient amount of signatures to get on the ballot for the 2020 Primary Election.

Do you know someone who would be a great candidate? Do you have an interest in running? Stay tuned for informational sessions about running for office and how we will be successful in electing Democrats. In the meantime, get ready to gear up. I am sure the local Republicans will be working hard to reclaim seats that they lost in 2018.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR: MARCH 2019

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR:  MARCH 2019

BY Kim Savage

 “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

Waves of activism ebb and flow over time in response to social and economic injustices. Examples abound throughout history. Grassroots organizing took hold in the early 1900’s and has continued to flourish, becoming more sophisticated with advances in technology.

Many things that we take for granted today were the result of organized movements that pushed for programs, policies, and laws that protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Organized labor, the Suffragettes, the Civil Rights Movement, anti-war activists, environmental groups, and many more collectives have had a major impact on society. Regulated working conditions, voting rights, public health requirements, environmental laws, and access to public education were born from the persistence of countless individuals who banded together for a common purpose.

No matter how far we have come, our rights and freedom are in danger of being diminished by corporate greed and corruption. The cancerous growth of avarice and unscrupulous corporations influencing politics generated a new wave of activism.

The explosion of political participation, assisted by pervasive social media networks, swept in new, progressive leaders at the national, state, and county levels. We have not arrived yet. We are still becoming. We will continue to face major challenges in 2020. Get ready for the fight! Stay engaged!

DGTDO - Message from the Chair

Message from the Chair

By Kim Savage

I don’t know about you, but I have had enough! Enough tweet storms. Enough nepotism generating family fortunes off of the taxpayers’ dime. Enough victim blaming. Enough [insert your issue here].

Again this month, I want to tell you how hard the Democratic candidates are working. I hope you are answering the phones when they call, opening the door when the campaigns ring your bell, and carefully reading their literature. Visit their websites. Find previously streamed forums on Facebook. Please do your homework and then vote! The candidates are working hard so they can represent YOU!

It isn’t easy being a candidate. There are plenty of long days, especially when we are down to the wire and the sprint becomes a marathon! However, March 20 is just a stop along the way to November. We need to take a deep breath, refuel, and go for the long haul. When we achieve our results, it will all be worth it…and then we start again.

We are also pleased to announce that you will be able to hear from several more candidates who have not visited us at this time. We have invited all of the Attorney General candidates and are still waiting for confirmation. Watch our Facebook page for confirmation.

Here is your checklist for March:

·       If you are voting by mail, mail your ballot back today!

·       Have you checked your voter registration online?

·       Do you know where your polling place is? Check here

·       Learn more about the candidates.

·       Stop by the office at 906 Curtiss Street and find out how you can help local candidates.

Don’t forget that our March 14 meeting will be in the Library at Downers Grove South High School, 1436 Norfolk in Downers Grove.

Remember to make sure you vote a Democratic ballot in the Primary Election!

Message from the Chair

Message from the Chair

By Kim Savage

Can you remember a more robust mid-term election? With numerous Democratic candidates for Governor, Attorney General, 6^th Congressional District, County Board districts, and Circuit Court Judges, I have never seen so much local activity for the Primary. The good news is that there are outstanding candidates to choose from. It is important to show appreciation for all of the candidates who have stepped up to represent us; running for office is no easy task.

With so many great candidates running, it can be challenging to decide who to vote for. There have been a several opportunities to meet candidates at our meetings, and to attend meet and greet events and candidate forums. We have links to candidate websites at www.dgdemocrats.org so that you may do additional research. It is vital that you learn about the candidates and vote Democratic in the Primary Election. It is also important to make sure that your family and friends know about the candidates, are registered to vote, and are motivated to exercise their rights to vote.

Voting is important, but securing the integrity of our votes is vital. Unless you live under a rock, you have heard about Russian meddling in the 2016 elections. However, did you know that efforts to undermine our votes has long been part of the fabric of DuPage County? Even as I write this, just days before Vote by Mail ballots can be issued, the candidacy for the Democrat running for Forest Preserve District President is being challenged in Appellate Court. This issue was resolved by the Electoral Board and the Circuit Court, yet those rulings have been scoffed at by the Republicans. While Dan Hebreard will be on the Primary Ballot, dirty tricks like this are intended to frustrate candidates and deny voters a true choice at the polls. Voter suppression is also exhibited by perpetuation of the belief that DuPage is a Republican county. That belief has been instrumental in keeping Democratic voters at home on Election Day. You can help protect the integrity of our votes by encouraging others to register, by voting, and by being a watchdog on Election Day.

There are still opportunities to become involved in the Election Process for the March 20 Primary Election. Check out paid temporary positions with the DuPage Election Commission at http://www.dupageco.org/Election/Get_Involved/37074/ or volunteer to be a pollwatcher as outlined elsewhere in this newsletter.

Here is your checklist for February:

·       Check your voter registration online

·       Make sure that your family members who will be 18 before November 6 are registered to vote so they can participate in the Primary Election on March 20. Register to vote here.

·       Learn more about the candidates.

·       Stop by the office at 906 Curtiss Street and find out how you can help local candidates.

·       Request a Vote by Mail ballot online and vote.

Please stand strong and help make the Blue Wave a Blue Tsunami. Never forget November 2016. Vote!