Calendar of Events
We are always moving forward, never backward!
Use our calendar of events to see what local Democrats are doing.
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Fundraisers & Campaign Events Grassroots Action / Parades Meetings & Socials Forums & TrainingsThanks for visiting our events page!
If you've never taken the plunge to get involved in political action, we encourage you to get to know us by attending a meeting. We are a growing local party, but we need more people like you to step up and share your perspective. We are building teams of people to tackle projects like data entry and analytics, voter registration, special events, social media and content management, and candidate support and canvassing.
Take Action! Your Weekly To-Do List
THIS WEEK'S TO-DO LIST FOR THE REBEL RESISTANCE
FOR THOSE OF YOU LOOKING TO TURN DESPAIR INTO ACTION, here are this week's opportunities:
#1 The NUMBER ONE JOB of the McHenry County Democratic Party IS TO GET DEMOCRATS ELECTED. There was an election on April 1st for some of the most important people in government - local school, library, park district, township, village and city boards. They spend your property taxes, and influence your children's education, your sales taxes, your drinking water, road repairs, traffic, pollution, zoning...the list goes on. And campaigning is already underway for the 2026 election.
- HELP A CANDIDATE. Knock doors, make phone calls, give them a donation.
- Become a BOARD REPORTER - Go to a local board meeting and then let us know the who & what is happening, so we can take action.
- Get involved with us! Come to a meeting or event, make a donation, volunteer for a committee or be a PC.
#2 CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES in Washington, in Springfield, on the County Board. Call every day. More info here.
It's especially important to contact Senators Durbin and Duckworth. Tell them to stand firm against the SAVE Act, which if passed would disenfranchise millions.
#3 UPCOMING PROTESTS AND ACTIONS
Sunday, APRIL 27th - 11am to 1pm - 'RETREAT, HELL! We Just Got Here' Protest at the McHenry VA
At the McHenry Veterans Administration Health Clinic, 3715 Municipal Drive, McHenry
Demand better healthcare and benefits for our veterans! Go here for all the details!
Thursday, MAY 1st - 3 to 5pm - RALLY FOR RIGHTS, Harvard
At Five Points, by Harmilda the Cow, at the intersection of East Diggins Street (IL-173) and North Division Street (US-14). Our awesome Democrats in Harvard are doing it again - please come out and join us. Please RSVP on Mobilize.
Saturday, MAY 3rd - 1:30 to 2:30pm - PROTESTING & THE FIRST AMENDMENT: Know Your Rights
At the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 5603 Bull Valley Road, McHenry.
Indivisible Northeast McHenry County invites you to join them for a presentation by Rebecca Glenberg, a senior attorney with the ACLU of Illinois. RSVP on Mobilize.
Harvard Rally For Rights
Our District 8 Democrats are doing it again! Please join us at Five Points in Harvard for the next Harvard Rally For Rights.
WHEN: Thursday, May 1st, 2025 -- 3:00 to 5:00 pm
WHERE: Five Points, Harvard -- intersection of Diggins Street & Division Street (US-14) - by Harmilda The Cow
Please RSVP so we know to expect you. Bring your signs, or just bring yourself (we'll have extra signs.) May 1st is May Day, so your sign could reflect Labor issues. This rally has been scheduled to coincide with many national events. Make your sign your own, and let our voices be heard.
"Mad? Call Your Congresspeople"
"Stop The Billionaire Takeover"
"We are the MANY, they are the few"
Note: there's parking at City Hall, immediately to the west of Five Points at 201 West Diggins Street, or at Central School, 401 North Division Street, immediately to the south of Five Points.
For more information please reach out to Pat Lawlor, District 8 chair, at [email protected].
Fiesta Latina Con Amin
Amin Karim invites you to
A celebration of Latin American culture &
A dialog with Democratic Candidate for McHenry County Treasurer in 2026
WHEN: Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 -- 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
WHERE: Emricson Park - Main Pavilion - 1313 Kishwaukee Valley Road, Woodstock
Food and activities for all ages -- donations optional.
For more information: [email protected] or 847-668-1941
Protesting & the First Amendment: Know Your Rights
The new Northeast McHenry County Indivisible chapter invites you to join them for:
PROTESTING AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT: Know Your Rights
Featuring Rebecca Glenberg, Chief Supervising Litigation Counsel: First Amendment, for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois (aclu-il.org).
WHEN: Saturday May 3rd, 2025 -- 1:30 to 2:30 pm
WHERE: Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 5603 Bull Valley Road, McHenry
Ms. Glenblerg will be presenting a know your rights training on protesting and the First Amendment.
Across Illinois and nationwide, people are taking to the streets to demand dignity, safety, and justice for workers, immigrants, and communities under attack. Whether you are preparing for your first protest or your fiftieth, this training will walk through how to assert your rights, protect others, and stay safe when confronted by police, ICE, or other law enforcement.
Jan Schakowsky's 2025 Ultimate Women's Power Lunch
It's Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky's 24th Annual Ultimate Women's Power Lunch ... It's an inspiring sight, a roomful of thousands of powerful women, with plenty of people of other genders as well...
And this year, not to be missed, the speakers are Hon. Deb Halland, former secretary of the interior; Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO; and J.B. Pritzker, our most awesome Governor.
WHEN: Monday, May 5th, 2025 -- 12:00 to 2:00 pm (registration opens at 11:30)
WHERE: Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk - Chicago Ballroom - 301 E. North Water Street, Chicago
Lauren Beth Gash, chair of the Lake County Democrats, writes: "As Donald Trump and his minions continue to damage the country, we can take some solace in being represented by Democrats in Illinois who sharply contrast with Trump and MAGA World -- our Democratic elected officials are competent and compassionate, while the other side is lacking those qualities, to put it mildly. My friend Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky is a leader on issues that matter to us. And our state is led by Governor JB Pritzker, who I'm so proud of as he shows the rest of the country that things don't have to be Trump's way, that Illinois can be a model in so many areas. So I’m really hoping you'll join me next month at Jan Schakowsky’s Annual Women's Power Lunch on Monday, May 5th, with Governor JB Pritzker as a featured speaker."
For more information please contact Sarah Gersten at [email protected] or (847) 424-1998.
Mental Health Board Town Hall
MENTAL HEALTH BOARD TOWN HALL
Free! We encourage all community members and stakeholders to attend our upcoming Town Hall meeting, where your voice matters and your input will help shape the future —come share your ideas, ask questions, and be part of the conversation! Let your voice be heard on matters Mental Health, Intellectual / Developmental Disability, and Substance Abuse.
WHEN: Thursday, May 5th, 2025 - 5:00 to 7:00 pm
WHERE: 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake
Our Mental Health Board provides vitally important funding for an array of services. This is your chance to make a difference in McHenry County and help shape its future.
Translation services provided with 48-hour notice.
For more information or to provide written feedback: 815-455-2828 or [email protected].
District 9 Conversations - Huntley
REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING -- District 9 Conversations
WHEN: Monday, May 12th, 2025 -- 6:30 to 8:00 pm
WHERE: Pub 47, 10400 Illinois Route 47, Huntley
If you're a Democrat and live in county board district 9, especially Huntley, this is the place to be.
AGENDA
--Discuss the current DC craziness so we will not feel we are alone.
--Find out how to become a Board Watcher and why it's important.
--Talk about how to talk to independent or cross-over voters. Discuss news silos, facts etc.
--Discuss how we can help our fellow Dems to stay strong and determined. Please bring your fellow Dems, especially anyone sitting at home alone and worried--we need to stick together!
And please reserve Wednesday June 11th for our annual Hot Dog Picnic at beautiful Marengo Ridge.
For more info, please reach out to Cathy Johnson, District 9 Chair, at [email protected].
Central Committee Meeting
Please join us at the "Conference Center" at McHenry County College!
It's the regular monthly meeting of the Democratic Party of McHenry County. Open to all Democrats, but 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
- PC Oath of Office
- Chair's Message
- Take Action
- Reports - Officers/Committees/Districts
- Tech Chair
- Labor Liaison
- Veterans Committee
- Events
- Districts
- 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.)
United We Resist - Woodstock
About 3,000 people came out for the wildly-successful UNITED WE RESIST protest on April 5th, and McHenry County NOW is doing it again in early June, this time right in the middle of Woodstock.
WHEN: Sunday June 8th, 2025 -- 1:00 to 3:00 pm
WHERE: Woodstock Square Historic District (Google considers 121 West Van Buren Street to be the street address)
McHenry County NOW writes on Facebook:
Next Stop on the UNITED WE RESIST RALLY Tour.........
Join us Sunday, June 8, 2025 from 1pm-3pm for a pre-Flag Day Unity Rally!
Since 1777, the American flag has represented freedom and unity for Americans and millions of others. Flag Day allows us to celebrate not only freedom but the symbol of it as well, as we unite alongside our community organizations who are experiencing the firsthand effects of the administration's budget cuts taking away essential services they are providing to our community.
Bring your friends, family, and anyone who believes in the core tenants of the Constitution. Let’s make this a day of strength and community where "We the People" unite to support all of our neighbors & protect our Democracy!
Mark your calendars, spread the word, and let’s show the world that when we stand together, we are unstoppable!
Proudly fly your flags & bring your signs!
(CARPOOLING RECOMMENDED)
PLEASE FOLLOW PARKING INSTRUCTIONS:
*Please leave parking spaces within the square for patrons of the businesses in the Square unless you have a disabled parking placard.
*Plenty of free parking lots outside of Woodstock Square
REGISTER HERE:
https://united_we_resist_rally_woodstock.eventbrite.com
Woodstock Pride 2025
SAVE THE DATE! If there's one shindig we McHenry Democrats never miss, it's Woodstock Pride. Join us as we celebrate love and diversity in Woodstock.
Happening this year on the weekend of June 14th and 15th, with Sunday the 15th being the big day.
We start the day by marching in the parade with our spiffy new float, and then all day we're chatting with folks at our McHenry Democrats booth. Put it on your calendar!