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Huntley Area Democrats July Meeting

All Democrats are cordially invited to the July 2026 meeting of the Huntley Area Democrats, covering both Kane and McHenry Counties.

WHEN:  Wednesday June 24th, 2026 -- 1:00 to 3:00 pm
WHERE:  IBEW Hall - Training Hall - 13300 Illinois Route 47, Huntley

Please join us for a detailed discussion of our campaign strategy for the November election.

The IBEW Hall is located in front of the Jewel, just south of the Wendy's, and north of the Taco Bell.  You can enter the building either on the west or the east sides.

Donations to the Grafton Food Pantry will be most gratefully accepted.

For more information, please reach out to [email protected].

Community Forum on Healthcare Reform - Huntley

COMMUNITY FORUM ON HEALTHCARE REFORM - HUNTLEY

WHEN:  Monday, July 13, 2026 -- 5:30 to 7:30 pm
WHERE:  Huntley Area Public Library, 11000 Ruth Road, Huntley

Here's the event on Facebook.

This community forum represents the beginning of a radical new idea: creating healthcare reform For the People, By the People - not for the people by Big Pharma and Insurance industry lobbyists.

This is the first public forum of the Illinois Care Initiative. It is the first step in building a healthcare reform process that brings ordinary people into the conversation from the beginning, not after the decisions have already been made.
The community forums being held now are intended to serve as a model for a much larger effort. The vision is that next year, a Healthcare Reform Commission emerging from this initiative would hold forums in all 102 Illinois counties, giving communities across Illinois an opportunity to be heard.

For too long, many people have felt that healthcare discussions happen behind closed doors, shaped by people with money, influence, and professional interests while ordinary families live with the consequences.  This process is intended to be different.  The goal is to listen, learn, identify problems, and build solutions together.  The ideas, concerns, experiences, and recommendations shared through these community forums will become part of the Illinois Care public record and will be personally delivered to Governor JB Pritzker as part of the continuing discussion on healthcare reform in Illinois.

Hosted by Health Care 4 Illinois at healthcare4illinois.com.

For more information please contact Pete Janko at [email protected].

District 9 Democratic Roundtable

DISTRICT 9 DEMOCRATIC ROUNDTABLE
Crafted especially for Democratic Voters in Coral, Riley & Grafton Townships

WHEN:  Tuesday, July 28th, 2026 -- 6:30 to 8:00 pm
WHERE:  Pub 47, Back Room (to the right), 10400 Illinois Route 47, Huntley

Have you heard about the fun and informative Round Table Meetings?  They’re held at local pubs, offering yummy drinks and food for purchase, lively conversation, and a room full of like minded Democrats.  These gatherings are packed with invigorating discussions and a great chance to connect.  Join us as we work together and enjoy sharing ideas for getting Democrats elected all the way down the ballot.  Conveniently located right here in Huntley!

Wear purple to show your support for our D9 candidate County Board, CHRISTINE HAMM.

Info or to get involved?  Contact Lynn Mitchell at [email protected].

McDems District 1 Picnic

McDems District 1 Picnic

WHEN:  Sunday, July 19th, 2026 -- Noon to 3:00 pm
WHERE:  Fox Bluff Conservation Area, 1300 Cold Springs Road, Algonquin
(off Cary-Algonquin Road - near Trout Valley)

** Candidates ** Hot Dogs ** Veggie Dogs

Please join your fellow Democrats from county board district 1, covering much of the southeast part of McHenry County, to socialize and meet the candidates!

For more information contact Cindy Pilz at [email protected].

Dee Darling's Community Blood Drive

TOGETHER WE STAND MCHENRY COUNTY - COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE

Hosted by Dee Darling, candidate for McHenry County Board, district 1.

WHEN:  Saturday, July 25th, 2026 - 10:00 am to 2:30 pm
WHERE:  Algonquin Township, 3702 Northwest Highway (US-14), Crystal Lake. 
(The township is on the north side of the Route 14, and you can only enter from the northbound direction.  The closest place to turn north is at Three Oaks Road.)

Donate blood, save lives.  One pint can save up to three lives.  Because of an ongoing need in our area for platelets and blood there is an increased need for donors. Please go online or scan the QR Code to schedule your appointment. Every drop counts.Your simple act of kindness can make a world of difference.

Dee's previous blood drive, in May 2026, was so successful, she's doing it again.  Our job is to ensure that the word goes out and that we stand together.  Saving lives is an American tradition.

Click here to reserve your spot.

Visit Dee Darling at vote4darling.com or on Facebook.

For more information contact Regina Rakoncay at [email protected]

A Day In The Park - with Chris Stevens

A DAY IN THE PARK - WITH CHRIS STEVENS

WHEN:  Saturday, July 11th, 2026 - 4:00 to 8:00 pm
WHERE:  Indian Oaks Park, 825 Indian Oaks Trail, Marengo

Please join Chris Stevens, our candidate for county board in district 8, at her booth at Marengo's 'Day In The Park.'  It's always a fun event and a great chance to meet our voters.

Visit Chris at christystevens.com or on Facebook.

Please RSVP so Chris knows you're coming.  For more information contact Chris at [email protected].

Illinois Democratic County Chairs Brunch 2026

It's that time again, the 2026 edition of the awesome County Chairs Brunch, put on by the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association (IDCCA), held in Springfield every year to coincide with Governor's Day at the Illinois State Fair.  Come on down for this inspiring gathering of Illinois Democrats.  All of our IL Democratic candidates and officeholders will be there, plus some inspiring keynote speakers.   

It's on Wednesday August 19th, 2026, starting at 9:00 am at the Bank of Springfield Center (1 Convention Center Plaza, aka 524 South Second Street).  After the program head on over to the Governor's Compound at the Illinois State Fair and be inspired by our Illinois Democratic leaders, starting with our governor, the amazing J.B. Pritzker himself.

If interested, contact [email protected] for more details on how to get tickets and discounted accommodations.

2026 Join The Party - Funder for State Rep Suzanne Ness

'2026 JOIN THE PARTY' -- A Fundraiser for Illinois State Rep Suzanne Ness (66th district)

WHEN:   Saturday, July 11th, 2026 -- 6:00 to 9:00 pm
WHERE:  Emmett's Brewing Company, 128 West Main Street, West Dundee

It's the shindig of the year -- the 'Join The Party' fundraiser for Illinois State Representative, the most awesome, Suzanne Ness, now running for re-election to her fourth term in the 66th district.

Shhh… the whispers are true. For one night only, the Jack and Sue Duo return—undercover and under wraps. Slip into your finest flapper dress or dapper suit and step into a night of jazz, gin, and glamour. Hidden behind Emmett’s doors lies a speakeasy waiting to come alive. Know the passcode, and you're in.

Entertainment, hors d'oeuvres, cash bar.

Get your tickets here.

For more info:  [email protected]

Visit Suzanne at citizensforsuzanneness.com or on Facebook.

McHenry County Fair 2026

Calling all Democrats! It's that time again - join us at the Fair!

Tuesday August 4th through Sunday August 9th
Volunteers Needed

There's always plenty of fun to be had at our annual extravaganza, the McHenry County Fair, at the fairgrounds in Woodstock.  And there's no better way to have that fun than volunteering for a shift at our Democratic Party booth.  We need at least two and preferably three people for each shift.  We pay for your admission so it's a great way to combine seeing the fair and doing something highly worthwhile.

Setup is on Monday, August 3rd. The fair opens at noon on Tuesday, August 4th.  Opening time on every day thereafter is 10am.  Closing time is 9pm Tuesday through Thursday, 10pm on Saturday and Sunday, and then 8pm on the final day.

Please RSVP and choose your shift.  Tuesday's first shift starts an hour before opening time to allow for last-minute setup, and Sunday's last shift allows an hour after closing for teardown.  If you have any questions at all please contact us at [email protected].

The fairgrounds are at 11900 Country Club Road, on the north side, slightly east of South Eastwood Drive (Route 47).  It can be crowded so please allow half an hour for parking, getting into the fair and then finding us.  We are in building D this year. It's on the south side of the fairgrounds, backing up to Country Club Rd. 

It's really important that we have a good turnout this year.  Many of our most dedicated Democrats found us for the first time at the fair.  And even if you can't volunteer, please plan on dropping by and hanging with us.  Thanks so much and see you there!

McHenry Fiesta Days Parade

JOIN US AT THE MCHENRY FIESTA DAYS PARADE!

Put on your walking shoes and a smile and let's show we are proud to be a force in McHenry by marching with us at Fiesta Days. 

It's Sunday, July 19th, 2026, and the Democratic Party of McHenry County and all our great candidates and office-holders will be there.

The parade steps off at 1:30pm.  It will be crowded so please arrive by 12:30 or 1 at the latest, and if you wish to help decorate the float, please arrive at 11:30.

The parade steps off from Mill Street and West Crystal Lake Road and terminates at Riverside Drive & Washington Street.  The route is Main Street to Green Street to Pearl Street to Riverside Drive to Washington Street. 

You can park at St. Patrick Catholic Church at 3500 Washington Street, which is near the parade terminus, and from 11:30 to 1pm we'll have a van to shuttle you over to the assembly point.  The last van run will depart the church parking lot at 1pm sharp.  Then after the parade you can ride on our float for the quick hop back to the church.

Here's a map showing the starting point, the terminus, and the parking location at the church.  The blue line is the parade route, and the red line is the shuttle route.

Lake In The Hills Summer Sunset Parade

Democratic Party of McHenry County at the 2026 Sunset Parade

The Lake In The Hills Summer Sunset Festival is always fun, and there's no better way to celebrate it than by joining us in the Summer Sunset Parade, stepping off at 11:00am on Saturday September 5th from Sunset Skate Park. 

We'll know our number in the parade closer to the date.  The skate park is on Haligus where it's curving around, south of the Bark Park, and Google has the address as 5200 Miller Road. 

Our float will be arriving at the Skate Park between 9:30 and 10am.  Come at that time if you want to help decorate the float.  Otherwise please plan to arrive no later than 10:30 -- this parade steps off right on time.

The route takes us east and north on Haligus, then east and south on Miller, ending at Sunset Park.

Pollwatchers Rights Poster

A poster showing clearly what pollwatchers can and can't do.

Pollwatcher Credentials - the two types

Showing examples of the two types of pollwatcher credentials -- issued by the county clerk, or issued by the Illinois State Board of Elections

Pollwatcher Credential Envelope

When you enter the polling place, you sign your credential(s) in the presence of one of the election judges, who then places it in this envelope, and you sign in as a pollwatcher on a line on the envelope.  When you leave you sign out.  You can sign in again, then, without needing a new credential.

ISBE Pollwatcher's Guide

Illinois State Board of Elections - Pollwatcher's Guide - published 2022 - Eight easy pages, very clear and complete.

2026 Primary Polling Places

Here's information on all the polling places in McHenry County, Illinois, for the 2026 General Primary Election, on March 17th, 2026.

McHenry County Precinct Viewer & District Map

Find your precincts and districts fast!

Be a Board Reporter

Board Reporters are our eyes and ears.

Illinois State Legislators - Quick Links

Here's quick links to find your Illinois State Senators and State Representatives and their contacts.

Getting Your Action ID

Here's how to get your logon on the main tool we use for door-knocking.