IDCCA President’s Message
by Kristina Zahorik, IDCCA President
@ILDCCA @McHenryDems
Friends,
I hope you had a Happy 4th of July filled with family, friends, and a few fireworks. Like many of you, I walked a few parades too. Celebrating with my father-in-law who immigrated and became an American citizen, along with his family, is always a highlight. As an immigrant, he is exuberant and diligent in celebrating America and participating in the civic process. It was a joy to see him at 85 as he stood in the driveway with his grandchildren twirling sparklers as the twilight last gleamed.
Not everyone felt like celebrating this year given the state of affairs with the current White House Administration, and in particular the alarming fabricated crisis at the border coupled with the racist tweets attacking Democratic congresswomen from the President. The Republican Party has not denounced any of it. Trump said in a press conference he was not concerned white nationalists were championing his words.
The images and reports coming from the camps are unacceptable and not who we are as a country. While Customs and Border Patrol officials have condemned the three-year-old secret hate-filled, vulgar, and offensive Facebook group for its current and former members including its Chief, it has not explained any steps to combat, correct, or discipline those involved. Why would they when the President fans the flames of hatred and division too. This not who we are as a nation.
This is a moral crisis.
This is Administration, this Republican Party, this President must be stopped.
We have an obligation to do all we can to fight back.
You are key to victory. Your support, your volunteering, your combatting lies with the facts are all vital.
We are gearing up for 2020 and there is a lot to do.
One of the important 2020 items the IDCCA is working on concerns soft voter suppression. As I travel the state, I continually hear about voting concerns whether it is access to polling places, having enough well trained Democratic election judges, Republican county clerks not performing their jobs, our voters not having accurate voting information, or not enough volunteers and training for our poll watchers. The IDCCA is working to address these issues but we need your help to execute our plan.
If you are interested in helping with our plan to stop soft voter suppression, sign up by clicking here:
The IDCCA needs means to support our plans and efforts, as well as the grassroots efforts of our County Parties through materials, resources, and trainings. I would like to give a BIG shout out and thanks to Greg Bales and Zach Koutsky for helping us gain some of the funds needed by sponsoring the successful sold out 2019 Sumer Brews Young Professionals Reception held at District Brew Yards in Chicago. Thank you to all our co-hosts and those who attended! To see pictures of the event, visit our Facebook page @ILDCCA.
Next month will see the annual IDCCA Chairs’ Brunch held the morning of Governor’s Day at the State Fair. This year’s special guest is the third in-line to the presidency and highest-ranking Democrat, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. We are sure to sell out so make plans to attend today! Details about this inspiring kick-off to the campaign season can be found in this newsletter.
I remain hopeful and stalwart in my belief in America and her promise of the American Dream. As you well know, to keep that promise alive and to keep the light of liberty shining, it requires vigilance and action on our part. Our moment to do and be better is before us.
Best wishes,
Kristina
