Dear Fellow County Chairs and Friends,

The holiday season is upon us.  I hope it finds you and yours healthy and well.

Thankfully, science has won the day and we are seeing the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices released the Restore Illinois plan that recommends healthcare workers and residents and employees of long-term care facilities or assisted living residences be the first in the U.S. to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Those vaccinations began on the same day the Illinois Electoral College met to cast their vote in support of President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris.

I was honored to be one of the 20 Illinois Electors selected by the Democratic Party of Illinois.  It truly was a profound and moving moment to cast my vote for democracy and decency. On a personal note, I wore a Lily of the Valley pin for the vote that I had received from my immigrant mother-in-law. Eva was a Republican ever since she gained the right to vote but came into the big Democratic tent when she recognized who Trump was. In fact, she, and her husband Ole came to me during the 2016 election to warn me about Trump. They recalled Nazis invading their little Scandinavian county. Trump and his supporters sounded all too familiar to them. I chose this pin in her memory and because the Lily of the Valley represents a return to happiness, new beginnings, kindness, and unity.  All things we need, and I hope will come in 2021.

While I was in the Illinois State Capitol casting my electoral vote, I was very mindful of the fact that I was there because of all the hard work you and our grassroots volunteers did. Every phone call, every postcard, every donation, every email, every letter to the editor, every conversation with someone in your circle made this win possible. During a pandemic, you had the courage to stand against hate and fear and stand up for the better brighter version of America.

THANK YOU.

The Illinois Electors included some IDCCA friends, like Lake County Chair Lauren Beth Gash and IDCCA Leadership Circle Member State Senate President Don Harmon and Commissioner Michael Cabonargi.

Like many of you, I am attending virtual holiday gatherings. My County Democratic Party hosted a virtual event this week where we laughed, cried, celebrated, and reflected. We shared the video Where is the Love?  I know where the love is – it is in our people. It is in the record turnout and win for Joe Biden. It is in our democracy and in our Democratic Party. It is in the fight for social and economic justice. It is in the small everyday things like helping our neighbor or in an act of kindness like simply wearing a mask.

I look forward to seeing you in person next year. Thank you again for all you do.

Happy holidays!