For Immediate Release:
Monday, February 2, 2026
Contact:
Erika Caldwell, Communications Director
press@ildcca.org
County Chairs Chart a Values-Driven Path Forward for The Democratic Party
Springfield, IL —On Saturday, the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association (IDCCA) voted to adopt two binding resolutions to guide the purpose and direction of the organization. These resolutions–supporting Medicare for All and condemning the actions of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE)–stand out as decisive direction-setting in a moment of transition for the Democratic Party nationally.
The IDCCA passed a resolution formally endorsing Medicare for All, citing the continued reality that nearly 30 million Americans remain uninsured and tens of millions more are underinsured. The resolution affirms access to high-quality health care is a human right and calls on federal lawmakers to enact a universal, single-payer health care system that protects families from medical debt and bankruptcy.
In a second resolution, the IDCCA condemned the recent actions of ICE, citing unlawful detentions, excessive use of force, and the killing of American citizens engaged in constitutionally protected peaceful protest. The resolution reaffirms IDCCA’s commitment to due process, civil liberties, and the protection of all individuals from unlawful arrests and state-sponsored intimidation.
The votes came from a body as geographically, politically and culturally diverse as Illinois itself, representing all 102 counties–from the metropolis of Cook County to the soybean fields of Morgan County. In a time when Democrats nationally are searching for the next party leader and testing competing messages ahead of upcoming primaries, the IDCCA’s actions were a striking representation of clarity of values amongst Illinois Democrats.
IDCCA President Mark Guethele argued, however, that these votes shouldn’t be considered spectacular, “It’s not bold to say no American should have to file for bankruptcy because they needed chemotherapy. It’s basic decency. It’s not bold to say masked law enforcement officers should not be shooting Americans in the streets. It’s basic decency. We’re not trying to be edgy here–we’re just being clear about what we stand for: decency. That’s what unites this party, always.”
Guethle continued, “The Democratic Party is diverse and Illinois Democrats are diverse. And our County Chairs in Illinois are diverse,” said Guethle. “We don’t always agree on everything. But one thing all Democrats have in common–one thing that Republicans have completely lost in the last ten years, is decency.”
The IDCCA affirmed these resolutions are binding statements of the organization’s values and will guide its advocacy, organizing, and engagement with Democratic leaders at every level of government.
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