Calendar of Events

Peter Janko explains the Illinois Care Initiative on The Patti Vasquez Show

WHEN:  Thursday, August 20th, 2026 -- 5:30 to 6:00 pm
WHERE:  820 on the AM dial, and streaming live at heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820 or on Facebook

The awesome Peter Janko, our Democratic candidate for state representative in the 69th district, joins Patti Vasquez on her drive-time slot on WCPT, to talk about the health care reform we so urgently need.

Pete writes:  "What if Illinois could pursue genuine healthcare reform without waiting for Washington, and without starting with a predetermined answer?  Pete Janko joins Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez to reveal the idea behind the Illinois Care Initiative and why he believes the path toward universal healthcare may not begin in Washington at all.

"What if the people who actually live with the healthcare system helped design its future instead of leaving that job primarily to insurance and pharmaceutical industry lobbyists and consultants? What if Illinois could start now, learn from what other states got right and wrong, and build reform one step at a time?  Genuine healthcare reform. Designed by the people, for the people."

Listen live at 820 on your AM dial, or stream the program at heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820 or on Facebook.

Follow Patti Vasquez on Facebook.

Visit Pete at pete4illinois.com or on Facebook.  Visit the Illinois Care Initiative at healthcare4illinois.com or on Facebook.

DISTRICT 2 DEMOCRATIC ROUNDTABLE

Special topic:  the Home Rule Referendum!  

"Roundtable" -- an opportunity for frank Democratic talk about events and issues of the day.  If you're a Democrat or Democrat-curious and live in District 2 (covering a big swath of the south end of Crystal Lake, and Lake In The Hills), then you're most cordially invited to join us.

The venue features scrumptious Mexican food and desserts.

WHEN:  Thursday, August 20th, 2026 -- 6:30 to 8:00 pm
WHERE:  La Mega Premium Michoacana - Taqueria, 19 Berkshire Drive, Unit D, Crystal Lake (SW corner of Berkshire & Virginia)

DAY OF ACTION WITH DEE DARLING AND MARIA PETERSON

WHEN:  Saturday, August 22nd, 2026 -- starting at 11:00 am
WHERE:  Meet at Starbucks, 620 Northwest Highway, Cary

Please join the most awesome Dee Darling, our candidate for McHenry County Board in district 1, and the most awesome Maria Peterson, our candidate for State Representative in the 52nd district, as they knock on doors to meet voters, talk about the issues, and win this thing!

Please RSVP via Mobilize.

Visit Dee Darling at vote4darling.com or on Facebook.
Visit Maria Peterson at mariafor52.com or on Facebook.

Contact Dee at [email protected].
Contact Maria at [email protected].

TEAM NABEELA GOTV POSTCARD PARTY

WHEN:  Sunday, August 23rd, 2026 -- 2:00 to 5:00 pm
WHERE:  Nabeela's Campaign Headquarters, 1266 West Northwest Highway, Palatine

The most awesome Nabeela Syed, currently state representative in the 51st house district, is running for State Senate to flip the 26th senate district.  (She's the running mate of the equally awesome Maria Peterson, running to flip the 52nd house district, the 26th senate district being composed of the 51st and 52nd house districts.)

Nabeela's campaign writes, "Help us reach voters by writing handwritten postcards to our neighbors across the 26th District!  No experience is necessary - we will provide the postcards, scripts, and supplies.  Bring a friend, enjoy good company, and spend an afternoon spreading the word about our campaign from the comfort of our campaign office!"

Here's the link to RSVP.

Visit Nabeela at nabeelasyed.com or on Facebook.

For more information please reach out to Claire McCall at [email protected] or 217-502-3101.

McHenry County Democratic Women - End of Summer Social

WHEN:  Tuesday, August 25th, 2026 -- 6:00 to 8:00 pm
WHERE:  Angelo's Pizza & Italian Cuisine, 205 East Front Street, Harvard

McHenry County Democratic Women invite you to join them for their End of Summer Social.  Conversation, connection & laughter sprinkled with McHenry County Democratic Women updates.  Nibbles & cash bar, $10 donation requested.

Visit McHenry County Democratic Women at mchdemwomen.com or on Facebook.

Please RSVP here.

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

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

WHEN:  Wednesday August 26th, 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].

KAREN BATTAGLIA'S BIRTHDAY BASH

WHEN:  Thursday, August 27th, 2026 -- 6:00 to 8:00 pm
WHERE:  Kishwaukee Brewing Company, 1900 Dillard Court, Woodstock

Karen Battaglia, our most awesome candidate for State Senate in the 32nd district, invites you to join her for her birthday bash fundraiser.  "Community tickets" only $32, so for sure come on out and help flip this district.

Get your tickets here or at the door.

Visit Karen at karenforil32.com or on Facebook.

Contact Karen at [email protected].

AJ Johnson's Campaign Fundraiser - Brunch & Silent Auction

WHEN:   Saturday, August 29th, 2026 -- 10:30 am to 1:00 pm
WHERE:  Maravela's Banquet & Catering (across from Grant High School), 4 Washington Ave, Fox Lake 

AJ Johnson, our most awesome candidate for state representative in the 64th district, invites you to join him at this Brunch Fundraiser.

AJ writes:  "The Brunch is a buffet with over 20 items on the buffet, plus a sweets table that consists of Fresh Fruit Tray, Lemon Bars, Brownies, Peanut butter Balls, Assorted Cookie, Rice Pudding w/Fresh Whipped Topping on the side. Includes Coffee, Tea, Milk and Soda. Cash Bar available for purchase. There will be a silent auction with over 20 baskets/items to be auctioned. It is going to be a "Fired Up" Fun Event. Surprise Key Note Speaker!"

Get your tickets here.

Visit AJ on Facebook or contact him at [email protected] or 224-381-0861.

DEMOCRACY STARTS AT THE DOOR

WHEN:  Saturday September 5th, 2026 -- 9:00 am to noon
WHERE:  Meet at Hebron Community Park Pavilion, 12314 Price Road, Hebron

Featuring two awesome candidates -- Chris Stevens, Democrat for County Board District 8, and Sarah Mertens, Democrat for State Senate District 35.

It's a Day of Action in Hebron, and it's great fun.  Join us as we knock on doors to meet our voters.  No experience necessary, will train.

Visit Chris Stevens at christystevens.com or on Facebook.
Visit Sarah Mertens at citizensforsarahmertens.com or on Facebook.

Please RSVP so we know you're coming.

For more information please reach out to Pat Lawlor at [email protected].

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.