Maggie Daley: In Memoriam by Robert Peickert

Too often do we fail to recognize or acknowledge the accomplishments of people until that person leaves us. For 22 years as the First Lady of the City of Chicago, Maggie Daley devoted her time and energy to the disadvantaged, the disabled and the less fortunate. From her work with after-school programs for kids in Chicago to her recent work with those who suffer from cancer, Maggie spent those 22 years as an individual who wanted to make a difference in the lives of those who needed help.

After a day of work, Maggie didn't go home to think of her accomplishments that day, she thought about what more needed to be done. She avoided having the spotlight on herself so that it could be focused on those who needed help. We may never know the poignant details of her life as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother but that was Maggie. That's the way she wanted it.


Thanks Maggie. Our thoughts and thanks go out to the Daley family for sharing Maggie with the rest of the fortunate world!

Robert Peickert
Chairman Democratic Party of DuPage County

Picture This! Photos from Unity Event

Photos from the Unity event held Nov. 20 are starting to appear on the DuPage Dems Facebook site. Here's a link to some of them: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.245122925548467.58693.100001522832175&type=1

Game Time! Have Some Fun with NPR's Occupy Interactive Game

NPR has an online interactive game based on the Occupy America movement. It's fun! Here's the link:
http://www.npr.org/2011/11/22/142476663/occupy-america-the-commemorative-game

Save The Date; 4th Annual Holiday Event Dember 16

Plan on joining us for the 4th Annual Holiday event on December 16th. We'll celebrate Governor Quinn's birthday. Details soon!

Unity Event A Huge Success; Covered by Channel 7

Last night, Novemeber 20th, the Democratic Party of DuPage County stuffed nearly 300 people into Monty's Banquet Hall in Bensenville to celebrate Democratic Unity.

The pre-primary event was exciting and novel enough to be covered by Channel 7 News. New members of the organization who had never attended a DPDC event were enticed by the unity theme. A highlight of the evening was the opportunity to hear from the tremendous panel of candidates we have in the five congressional districts that are now part of DuPage County (IL 5, 6, 8, 11 and 14). Each of the congressional candidates had three minutes to speak about why it is important for Democrats to stand together.

Thanks to all who attended. Keep an eye on our Facebook wall for photos appearing this week.

Our next opportunity to party together? The 4th Annual Holiday event on December 16th, where we will celebrate Governor Quinn's birthday.

Amy Rohrer
Executive Director

Where does the Occupy movement move to now?

With Occupy occupations being shut down across the country, where do the protestors move? Check out this story by NPR.

Three Reasons To Support Small Business Saturday

This Saturday, November 26, the day after Black Friday, is Small Business Saturday, a day devoted to building awareness of small and local business. http://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday.

Here are three reasons to shop small this Saturday:

1. The money you spend supports small businesses, one of the greatest job creation engines in America.
2. Spending local means your money stays in the community.
3. Small businesses bring you personalized service and unique merchandise you just can't find in the Big Box stores.

This Saturday, think small, not mall.

Occupy Chicago Protestors Are Unhappy With Obama, Local Survey Says

Occupy Chicago protestors don't blame the President for the current economic situation but also don't believe he is doing all he can to fix it. This is among findings of a recent survey of Occupy Chicago protestors conducted by Benedictine University. The survey also revealed that protestors may not have a formal agenda, but do indeed have a concrete list of grievances. Read the rest as reported in the Daily Herald: http://dailyherald.com/article/20111114/news/711149921/

Get your check in the mail for the Unity Reception and get 20% off

Get your check in the mail today and save 20%
at the
Unity Reception
   
The Democratic Party of DuPage is proud to bring together ALL of our Democratic Congressional candidates in DuPage County. Negative rhetoric and hyperbolic TV commercials attempt to drive a wedge between us as the primary nears. Let's innoculate ourselves now by getting to know and respect and support one another.
 
Sunday, November 20, 2011

Where: Monty's Banquets
               703 York Rd Bensenville

Time:    6:30 p.m. Registration and Cash Bar
              7:30 p.m. Introductions and Guest Speakers
         8:00 p.m. Congressional Candidates
         8:30 p.m. Networking 
   
Cost:     $20 Appetizers and coffee will be served
(Walk-ins $25 night of the event)
 Invited guests include Senator Dick Durbin and Governor Pat Quinn 

Please send your check made out to DPDC to:
DPDC, Unity Reception
P.O. Box 185
Lombard IL 60148

**Please postmark checks by November 16th to assure smooth registration. Call 630-629-1125 if you have any questions. Thanks. We look forward to seeing a very buoyant and UNITED crowd at Monty's!

Friday Funny: Are you ready to laugh about the Occupy Movement?

If you follow Doonsebury, you know it's been dedicated to humor surrounding the Occupy Movement this week. Here's a link to today's strip: http://www.arcamax.com/thefunnies/doonesbury/

Have Fun, Get Social with Naperville Democrats This Thurs

The Naperville Township Democratic Organization's monthly Social Dinner will be held tomorrow, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. at Nagoya on Route 59. Get all the scoop here.

Was the American Dream Hijacked by 40 Years of Super Rich Control?

By Tom Wendorf

I have a long-term interest in big picture trends. I believe it is impossible to evaluate short-term policy in government without understanding the tides of history. I think we all sense that somewhere, our body politic went off the rails. I had more opportunity and a better life than my parents and grandparents. I fear our children will have it much harder and much worse. I believe that fear is shared by many.

A couple of weeks ago, Dr. Jeffrey Winters from Northwestern University, spoke on his new book, American Oligarchs on WBEZ’s Worldview. You can listen to this fascinating discussion at http://www.wbez.org/worldview/2011-10-28. He explains how the super rich, for their personal benefit, have controlled our politics in the last 40 years. You can also read his thesis in American Affairs at www.the-american-interest.com/article.cfm?piece=1048.

He makes it very clear that money interests have railroaded our democracy. Most voters fail to realize their perspective is manipulated by the super rich money interests for the benefit of very few rich people. This 2012 election fight will be extraordinary. I’ve come to believe it is for the soul of America and saving the American Dream. It is the most important election of my lifetime. 

Please read and listen to what Dr. Winters has to say. I hope he motivates all of us to set aside our differences and work hard to win seats for progressive Democrats. Pass this information on. I think your neighbors are looking for answers. These are the answers to where we went wrong and how to get back on track.

Tom Wendorf is Operations Coordinator for Milton Township Democrats

Occupy Groups Impact Municipal Governments

Occupy protests throughout the nation are having an unintended but dramatic negative impact on many municipal governments. Read what mayors from around the country, including Rahm Emanuel, have to say about balancing the right to peaceably assemble and the need for security to ensure that right.

http://www.npr.org/2011/11/07/142102081/occupy-presents-big-problems-for-big-city-mayors?sc=fb&cc=fp

Tony Michelassi Seeks to Retain District 5 Seat on County Board

	Board Member Tony Michelassi Seeks to Retain District 5 Seat Michelassi, 26, announced his intention to run for another term at an election function on Sunday.... By Mary Ann Lopez I thought you might be interested in this article from the Naperville Patch. Read more »

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FW: Help Our President get on the Ballot! This weekend Nov 5 and 6.

Celebrate one year to election day by helping to get President Obama on the ballot in Illinois! We need to collect lots of signatures from registered voters in Illinois to make sure that Barack's name gets on the ballot, so we will be going door-to-door to collect signatures from Democratic voters. You can play an important role in this process! You will be fully trained on how to go about this process, and given all the materials that you will need. This is a perfect opportunity for first-time volunteers to get involved and help re-elect President Obama in 2012, working on an incredibly important part of the democratic process. Please dress comfortably, and feel free to bring a friend to help you! Email Sean Schindl at   sschindl@barackobama.com with questions. Nov 5th Saturday in Darien, shifts starting at 9 am and 12 pm:   http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/oneyearoutevent/gpzy2m Saturday in Lisle, shifts starting at 9 am and 12 pm: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/oneyearoutevent/gpzy9t Saturday in Lombard, shifts starting at 9 am and 12 pm:  http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/oneyearoutevent/gpz8x8 Nov 6th Sunday in Downers Grove, shifts starting at 12 pm and 3 pm:   http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/oneyearoutevent/gpzyqd Sunday in Lisle, shifts starting at 12 pm and 3 pm:  http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/oneyearoutevent/gpzyqf Sunday in Lombard, shifts starting at 12 pm and 3 pm:   http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/oneyearoutevent/gpz85m           Paid for by the Democratic Party of DuPage County. A copy of our report(s) filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections and DuPage County Clerk is available (or will be) for purchase from the DuPage County Clerk's office, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187.

GI Bill, School Lunches, Moon Mission and other cool things brought to you by Democrats

I hope you've had a chance to whip a few of the "Brought to You by the Democratic Party" goodies I brought you last week on someone at a fall cocktail party or during a chilly soccer game. Here is the rest of the list that I have but I certainly do welcome any additions that any blog reader wishes to append!

GI Bill
School Lunches
Marshall Plan
NATO
Peace Corps
Ist Manned Moon Mission
Civil Rights Act
Head Start
Guaranteed Student Loan Program (hit 'em with that one)
Family and Medical Leave Act
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

That should keep you going for a while!

Amy Rohrer
Executive Director

You Can Keep DuPage Non-Profits Healthy. Here's How.

Dear Friends,

Are you aware of the distressed state of not-for-profit service agencies in DuPage? I volunteer at several of these agencies; I can tell you it is getting really tough.

The DuPage Board strategy shifts the burden of service and cost to the non-profit community. The County gets to keep financial reserves high and excellent personal pay and pensions by cutting financial support to non-profits with no need to share the pain.

The Naperville Sun (link below) reported on increased demand and reduced resources for health services for our neediest friends and neighbors.  If we let Republicans win the Presidency, the Congress, and state and local offices, their recovery plan is to reduce funding for the least of those among us and protect the wealthy and corporations. Government is supposed to work for the common good. Their strategy doesn’t.

We need to insure Democrats win the 2012 elections, or DuPage could look like a third world country. We must fight for the progressive values we share.  The DuPage lifestyle that brought us here will become a memory if we do nothing. Be more active in the coming year.  Ask others to help. Invite them to Democrat meetings. Get involved in local races and volunteer to make phone calls and pass out literature. Be an advocate for the candidates you support.  Look for places to help.  Don’t wait for a phone call.  Our children’s future depends on it.

Thank you for your willingness to serve.

Tom Wendorf

http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/news/8412425-418/funding-cuts-added-poverty-ail-dupage-health-agency.html