Most of following newsletter is being resent because the previous transmission had some omissions and listed an incorrect email for Dawn DeSart. | | Please pay attention to the races for Municipal, Park District, Library District, School District, and Fire District officials leading up to the Consolidated Election on April 2, 2019.
Find out which candidates are best for your community. A lot of new people are getting into politics to make a difference. They need your support and your vote. | | DPDC Central Committee Meeting
Wednesday, February 27, 2019 7:00 p.m IBEW 701 Union Hall 28600 Bella Vista Pkwy Ste. 1500 Warrenville, IL 60555
Revised Agenda: I. Call to Order II. Recognition of Meeting Officers III. Adoption of Rules and Procedure IV. Approval of 2018 Central Committee Meeting Minutes V. Election of DPDC Chair VI. Election of DPDC Treasurer VII. Adjournment
Note: Elected and appointed PCs are eligible to vote in this election.
See the following links for info on our chair candidates: | | Goodbye, and Thanks, to Bob
Robert Peickert, longstanding Chaiman of the the Democratic Party of DuPage County, resigned and will be replaced in a vote by Precinct Committee Persons on Febuary 27th.
"It's been 11 years," said Peikert, "It has consumed a lot of my time. It's time for some new blood to come in." Peickert says he has been planning his departure even before his election last April's to a sixth term. He told precinct committeemen at that time that he planned to step down after the November election. "I knew this was going to be an important election," he said. "I thought I could be of help given my past experience and knowledge of the county." There was a lot of transition work to be done before Peickert could step down. "That work is being done," he said, "so it's time."
A retired union organizer, Peickert rose to the top of the county Democratic Party in 2008 after leading an organization called "Operation Turn DuPage Blue", which had helped persuade more Democrats than Republicans to get to the primary election polls. He said there have been some ups and downs during the past 11 years, including some "internal difficulties" within the party. Still, Democrats overcame those challenges to make significant progress, he said, including increasing the number of precinct committeemen.
In what was once a Republican stronghold, DuPage, In November, Democrats enjoyed their most successful election ever, electing seven Democrats to the 18-member county board, a Democratic County Board Clerk, and a Democratic Forest Preserve President. Our county is now represented by Democrats in Congress, and the majority of state officials are Democrats.
"I think we're probably at a point we envisioned when we started 'Operation Turn DuPage Blue', Peickert said. "I'm absolutely tickled to death at where we are. If you look at the elected offices, we are now a blue county."
Peickert said he feels good about the party's future. "I'm pretty confident we will hold together and carry on," he said. He hopes the new chairman will receive the party's full support. "I just hope we can all stick together," he said. "I don't want this election to be contentious." | | Congratulations Candidates! And Now... Let's Keep In Touch
With the new members now safely sworn in, we again congratulate the 7 wonderful women elected to the DuPage County board. We too congratulate all of YOU volunteers, who worked so hard to get them there.
Now, however, is when the real work begins. We all need to support and stay in touch with our representatives as they enter the battles in the elected arena. There are enormous issues at hand for DuPage. To name but a few: balancing the budget, the potential cuts to transportation and social services, zoning issues, lobby fees, care for our land, air and water... and more. Much more.
So, now that we have representatives who will hear our concerns, please, be an active member of our democracy and raise your voice and stay interested. To help you towards that end, here is the contact information for our democratic board members. There is also a link for ALL of the county board members at the end, and a link to your state and federal representatives.
We will feature interviews with our legislators after they have time get their feet wet! In the meanwhile, here who they are, and how to contact them.
NOTE: Remember, we elected at least one democrat in each district; two in district five!
And PLEASE use contact information with discretion and only with important concerns for your representative. | | DISTRICT 1: DISTRICT 2: (NOTE: Veteran Liz got more votes than any other candidate of either party!) DISTRICT 3: DISTRICT 4: DISTRICT 5: And DISTRICT 6:
For a complete list of all of your DuPage board representatives and their contact information, please visit:
| | TCH Holds Listening Sessions
Early in January, two days before being sworn in as a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 48th District, Terra Costa Howard held two events for the purpose of hearing from her constituents about issues of importance to them. About 50 people attended the morning session in Glen Ellyn.
Many topics were addressed, some read by her assistant from cards collected before the meeting began, others directly from the audience. I was impressed with how knowledgeable Terra is on issues including low-income housing, the needs of adults with disabilities, and budget matters. When a question came up for which she did not have enough information, Terra noted that she would research the topic. Her assistant, too, displayed in-depth knowledge and experience helping people who had problems navigating government programs.
Even more impressive was Terra’s approach to working with her colleagues from all parties. She recounted her recent experience getting to know a representative from downstate during orientation. She said they had a good conversation and she learned a lot from him about the concerns of his constituents. Later, she researched his name online, and found out this colleague is a Republican. Party never came up.
I shouldn’t be surprised about any of this. I know Terra campaigned by knocking on all doors, regardless of party, and considers herself the representative for all of District 48. I trust she will consider all views while still voting the values we Democrats hold dear.
Terra expressed gratitude for the voters’ confidence in her, and excitement over the prospect of the opportunity to dig in and get to work. Diane Dassow Lombard | | Paid for by the Democratic Party of DuPage County, which is dedicated to doing the most good for the most residents of DuPage County, Illinois. Through active engagement in all our communities we promote well-being, justice, and democracy. | | | | | | |
