Thursday, February 15, 2024

Early Voting Has Begun in McHenry County—Here Are Endorsements for the Spring Primary

 

Early voting actually began on February 19 at the McHenry County Clerk's office, 667 Ware Road, Suite 107 in Woodstock.

Early voting for the March 19th Primary at the McHenry County Clerk’s office has begun and Vote By Mail (VBM) ballots have been mailed. It is not too late to get a Vote By Mail Ballot.  Voting by mail is convenient, time-saving, and guarantees that you will have your voice heard, no matter the weather, the lines, or lifes surprises that prevent you from getting to the polls. 

Get information about voting and VBM on at https://www.mchenrydems.org/vote.

Here are the official Heretic, Rebel a Thing to Flout endorsements.  Note only candidates running on the Democratic ballot are recommended.  

Our Presidential endorsement was a no brainer.

·     For PresidentJoe Biden, incumbent President is strongly endorsed.  Also on the ballot are Frankie Lozada, businessman, and Dean Phillips, incumbent Congressman from Minnesotas 3rd Congressional District.  Note the Presidential primary is a preference only beauty contest.  To gain delegates to the Democratic National Convention you have to vote separately for a slate of pledged delegates.

·         For Congress  in districts serving part of McHenry County:

o   9th Congressional DistrictMichael Donahue and incumbent Jan Schakowsky, endorsed.

o   10th Congressional District—incumbent Brad Schneider, unopposed and endorsed.

o   11th Congressional District—incumbent Bill Foster.  Progressives and opponents of Israels war in Gaza back Qasim Rashid.  Despite my shared concern about the war, Foster is a thoughtful veteran lawmaker who deserves re-nomination.

The hottest Democratic Congressional race pits incumbent Bill Foster against Qasim Rashid running as a progressive.  We endorse Foster.
 

  • Illinois House of Representatives in districts serving part of McHenry County:

  o   House District 52Maria Peterson.

  o   House District 63Mary Mahady,  currently McHenry Township Assessor.

  o   House District 66—incumbent Suzanne Ness.

  o   House District 69Peter Janko, currently a Democratic National Committeeman.

  o   House District 70Randi Olson. 

McHenry County Board ChairKelli Wegener, currently representing McHenry County Board District 5.

     •   McHenry County Board Members

 

o   District 1—incumbent Theresa Meshes.

 

o   District 2—incumbent John Collins.

 

o   District 3Rester Dogboe has filed as a write-in candidate.

 

o  District 4Brian  Dean Meyers, currently an elected Regional Board of Education member.

 

o   District 7—incumbent Lou Ness.

 

o   District 8Dawn Milarski.

 

o   District 9Dawn  Jordi Ellison.

 

Note—Democrats can still slate candidates for offices where no one filed to be on the ballot by caucus.  Contact County Chair Ruth Scifo at 815 263-9659 if you are interested in running for office.

 

A McHenry County Mental Health Board Sales Tax Referendum is also on the ballot.  County Board voted to put the following question on the March 19 ballot:

 

To pay for mental health purposes, shall McHenry County be authorized to impose an increase on its share of local sales taxes by one-quarter (1/4) percent and discontinue the current property tax levy funding mental health services and the Mental Health Board?

 

This would mean that a consumer would pay an additional 25 cents in sales tax for every $100 of tangible personal property bought at retail. This sales tax would take effect on July 1, 2024.  This would remove the $10,975,000 from the property tax levy allocated for the Mental Health Board effective November 30, 2024.  For most taxpayers this would amount to a net tax reduction and secure the agency reliable funding for increasing demand for services as well as a hedge against inflation.  Democrats on the current County Board are divided.  But we endorse the referendum.

 

As the political season heats up, a number of events have been scheduled.

 

  McHenry County Democratic Women SocialThursday, February 15, 2024 at 6:00 pm at Sofie’s Whiskey & Wine,  150 South Eastwood Drive, Unit D in Woodstock.  McHenry County Democratic Women members and their friends are invited to a casual get-together to relax, discuss the issues, and socialize with friends, and Meet candidates who will be running in the primary.

 

 Meet Qasim Rashid--This informal event is at a private residence near downtown Crystal Lake, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm on Monday, February 19.  RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/qasimforcongress/event/604632/ or contact John Darger at rjdarger@gmail.com for more information.

 

  McHenry County Democratic Central Committee MeetingWednesday, February 21 at 7 pm at the McHenry County College Conference Center.

 

  Democratic Party of McHenry County Veterans CommitteeWednesday, February 21 at McHenry County College.  If you’re a veteran and a Democrat, we invite you to join the new Veterans Committee, a new committee we are created to activate our local vets.  here will be a brief presentation by Illinois Veterans for Change on how we can do more to support local veterans and get them elected to office.  

 


  Forum on the Mental Health Board ReferendumThursday, February 22 at 7:00 pm at McHenry County College sponsored by the League of Women Voters of McHenry County.

 

 

 

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