Calendar of Events

McHenry County Democratic Women -- May 2026 Social Event

WHEN:  Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 -- 6:00 to 8:00 pm
WHERE:  Galati's Hideaway, 800 Feinberg Court, Cary

McHenry County Democratic Women writes:  "Join us for McCDW's Social May 12, 2026 - See old friends and make new ones!"

Nibbles & Cash Bar.

$10 donation requested at the door.
Info and RSVP to:  [email protected]
Visit McCDW at mccdw.net or on Facebook -- and click here to join.

NABEELA SYED CAMPAIGN OFFICE OPENING & VOLUNTEER KICKOFF

WHEN:  Saturday, May 16th, 2026 -- 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
WHERE:  1266 West Northwest Highway, Palatine2

First elected to the Illinois House in 2024, the awesome Nabeela Syed is now running for Illinois State Senate in the 26th district, and she and her team cordially invite you to her campaign office opening and volunteer kickoff event.  Free. 

Claire McCall of Nabeela's campaign team writes:  "Hoping to have volunteers warm our new space with us, meet fellow Team Nabeela volunteers and staff, and learn about the many ways to get involved in the campaign.  Lunch, refreshments and team merch provided."

RSVP beforehand at nabeelasyed.com/officekickoff -- appreciated but not required

Visit Nabeela at nabeelasyed.com or on Facebook.

For more information contact Claire McCall at [email protected] or 217-502-3101.

AUSTIN MAY CANDIDATE COFFEE

WHEN:  Saturday, May 16th, 2026 -- 2:00 to 4:00 pm
WHERE:  603 South Emerald Drive, McHenry

Get to know Austin May, our Democratic candidate for county board in district 5, and his background and policy positions.  Please join Beth Holland and Jim Zid for an open Q&A and discussion on the issues of today.

Born and raised in McHenry County and a dedicated public servant, Austin's background includes service in AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and currently as a US Army Reserve officer. Austin is focused on lowering our property taxes through improving infrastructure, supporting community health, and fiscal responsibility.

Here's the event on Facebook.

Visit Austin at abetterwaymc.com or on Facebook.  Donate to his campaign.

For more information: [email protected] or 815-656-1698.

Please join us at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, May 20th, 2026, at the "Conference Center" at McHenry County College!

It's the regular monthly meeting of the Democratic Party of McHenry County.  RSVP'ing beforehand is a MUST. 

Join us! Community is how we will persevere and triumph over the next 2 years

Agenda

• 7:00 p.m. — Doors open 
• 7:15 p.m. — Meeting begins
• Introductions
  
  • Candidate Introductions
• Chair's Message
• Reports - Officers/Committees/Districts
  • Events
  • Communications 
  • Tech Chair
  • District Chair Reports
• Announcements -
  • The purpose is to announce events, presentations, and items of interest to Democrats  If you have an idea for a speaker or broader discussion, you must request an addition to the agenda a week before the meeting. Please limit your announcements to 2 minutes.
• 8:30 p.m. — Adjourn

Invite a friend to attend the meeting! Introduce a friend or neighbor to grassroots politics and help us grow the Party.

McHenry County College is located on Route 14, halfway between Woodstock and Crystal Lake. 

Turn in at the traffic light, then turn right and right again to park near the entrance for Building A, the very first building you come to.  Enter the building, walk straight ahead, and you'll find the Conference Center on the left, opposite the library. There's no stairs and everything is fully ADA-compliant.  

Come early and chat, we're always there by 6:30.  Here's a map of MCC.  (If you accidentally parked on the south side, by the Luecht Auditorium or the cafeteria, no matter, just walk around to the left past the gym, up the stairs at the end, turn right and we're there.)

Map of MCC

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

WHEN:  Thursday, May 21st, 2026 -- 6:30 to 8:00 pm
WHERE:  Pub 47, Back Room (to the right), 10400 Illinois Route 47, Huntley

Join the District 9 folks for the sharing of ideas. We meet at a nice little pub that offers food and a variety of beverages. Makes for an enjoyable evening of like-minded discussions.

We will review things that you have seen or done that show Democrats are making strides toward turning McHenry County Blue! Points are awarded if they demonstrate the attitudes of being creative, persistent or fearless!

Anyone is invited....you don't need to be from District 9. Bonus points given for wearing purple to show support our D9 candidate County Board, CHRISTINE HAMM.

Points given for RSVP and much appreciated. Bring a new attendee for double points!

AMIN KARIM - Celebrating Immigrant Stories, with Emmy Award-winning storyteller Jim May and friends

WHEN:  Sunday, May 31st, 2026 -- 1:00 to 4:00 pm
WHERE:  Steel Heart LTD, at the House of Seven Gables, 10308 US Route 14, Harvard

Democratic County Treasurer candidate Amin Karim cordially invites you his "Celebrating Immigrant Stories" event with Emmy Award winning storyteller Jim May and his friends, with featured guests County Clerk Candidate Bill McNeese, and County Board candidate Christine "Christy Stevens" (District 8). Other candidates will also be invited to participate.

This is a free event, soft drinks and coffee will be provided.  Bring a picnic lunch, and a lawn chair and come enjoy a celebration of the experience and contributions of Immigrants to our country and our communities.

The event will include professional storytellers and will include an open mic opportunity for attendees to participate. As well as other Democratic candidates to meet and greet.

Having come to America as a young adult, Amin Karim has his own story to share, and he looks forward to celebrating the richness of the diverse backgrounds of all Americans.

Here's the event on Facebook.

Visit Amin Karim at aminkarim.com or on Facebook.

For more information contact Terry Kappel at 779-302-6212 or [email protected].

Parade with us at the 2026 Harvard Milk Days! 

WHEN:  Saturday, June 6th, 2026 -- stepoff at 1:00 pm

WHERE:  Look for our float in the parking lot of Harvard High School, at 1103 North Jefferson Street.
We'll be there by 11:00am.  Come early and help us set up.

For your convenience, we're laying on a shuttle so you can park near the parade end.
Anytime between 11:00am and 12:15pm (last run leaves 12:15 sharp) ...
Park at Milky Way Park, 300 Lawrence Road, as close to the east side as you can.
Look for our Democratic sign and red van by the east entrance to the park, by Ratzlaff St & W Washington St.

Here's the parade route (and here it is as a printable PDF or a full-size JPG.)

HOT DOG PICNIC FOR DISTRICT 8 & 9 DEMOCRATS

Celebrate our community and join us at Districts 8 & 9's Fifth Annual Hot Dog Picnic.

WHEN:  Wednesday, June 10th, 2026 - 5:30 until sunset (whatever the weather)
WHERE:  Marengo Ridge Conservation Area - Shelter #2 - 2411 Illinois Route 23

A celebration for our neighbors who share our love of democracy, free speech and the Constitution.This is the time to feel the warmth and friendship that we have developed these past few years.  Settle in and enjoy the company while we watch the sun set over the Kishwaukee River Valley.  It will be a magical time.

Many of our awesome candidates will be attending, and our featured speaker will be Bill McNeese, our Democratic candidate for county clerk.

We'll have hot dogs (both beef and veggie) with buns and all the fixins to make a Chicago dog:  ketchup, mustard, pickle & relish, bag of chips, ice cream cup, water.  Come hungry!
$10 donation per person requested at the door.  
Please RSVP by June 6th -- RSVP is important so we know to expect you.  

Here's the flyer for the event.

For more information contact Pat Lawlor at [email protected] or Lynn Mitchell at [email protected].

If there's one shindig we McHenry Democrats never miss, it's Woodstock Pride.  Join us as we celebrate love and diversity.

WHEN:  Sunday June 14th, 2026 -- The parade steps off at 11:00 am.

WHERE:  The parade assembly point is usually at the Dean Street Elementary School, at the corner of Dean Street and Forest Avenue, a few blocks south of Woodstock Square.

The parade goes north, up to and around the square, and then the festivities follow.  

Please RSVP -- march with us and/or with your favorite candidate!  And we also need help with setup for our float and at the square.  Please reach out to [email protected] if you can help.

Please join us at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, June 17th, 2026, at the "Conference Center" at McHenry County College!

It's the regular monthly meeting of the Democratic Party of McHenry County.  RSVP'ing beforehand is a MUST. 

Join us! Community is how we will persevere and triumph.

Agenda

• 7:00 p.m. — Doors open 
• 7:15 p.m. — Meeting begins
• Introductions
  
  • Candidate Introductions
• Chair's Message
• Reports - Officers/Committees/Districts
  • Events
  • Communications 
  • Tech Chair
  • District Chair Reports
• Announcements -
  • The purpose is to announce events, presentations, and items of interest to Democrats  If you have an idea for a speaker or broader discussion, you must request an addition to the agenda a week before the meeting. Please limit your announcements to 2 minutes.
• 8:30 p.m. — Adjourn

Invite a friend to attend the meeting! Introduce a friend or neighbor to grassroots politics and help us grow the Party.

McHenry County College is located on Route 14, halfway between Woodstock and Crystal Lake. 

Turn in at the traffic light, then turn right and right again to park near the entrance for Building A, the very first building you come to.  Enter the building, walk straight ahead, and you'll find the Conference Center on the left, opposite the library. There's no stairs and everything is fully ADA-compliant.  

Come early and chat, we're always there by 6:30.  Here's a map of MCC.  (If you accidentally parked on the south side, by the Luecht Auditorium or the cafeteria, no matter, just walk around to the left past the gym, up the stairs at the end, turn right and we're there.)

Map of MCC