On Sunday, March 2, 2025, the Q Center in St. Charles was packed with Kane County Democrats ready to honor two Democrats who have served Kane County during this confusing time in American politics. Both Ed Hanson, The Truman Award Winner, and Ricky Rivard, the Chairman Award Volunteer Excellence Recipient, inspired us by their actions during the past year. Both were always available to help our party when needed and worked in the Kane County Dems office numerous hours. The audience was also encouraged by Illinois politicians who are working in D.C. and Springfield to stand up for our freedom and stop the butchering of our laws. The speakers included a list of the “Who’s Who in Illinois Politics and Labor,” including keynote and motivational speakers: Governor J.B. Pritzker, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, State Central Committeewoman for the 17th District Pam Davidson; and President of the AFL-CIO Tim Drea.
Governor Pritzker began by listing the ways Musk, with the blessing of sidekick Trump, is weaponizing the government against the American people by using DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency). Pritzker reminded us that Musk brought a chainsaw on stage to show how he would massacre our government’s crucial services, and in 41 days, Musk has laid off or offered buyouts to over 100,000 government employees. These include crucial positions such as air traffic controllers, meteorologists, nuclear safety workers (which he had to reinstate), doctors at the National Institute of Health who do cancer research, and Veterans Affairs healthcare workers. Workers are also being cut in other offices: Medicaid, Social Security, and the IRS, so the wealthiest people in the U.S. can get a $2 trillion tax break. Pritzker reminded us that Democrats need to tell people what we stand for: quality education; quality healthcare; a living minimum wage which went up from $8.15 to $15.00 an hour; affordable childcare; and a doubling of financial aid for college students. Our governor challenged us to “stand up, show up, speak up, and fight like hell. Never give up.”
Lt. Governor Stratton also encouraged Democrats to stand up for the middle-class and working-class families in the nation who will pay the price of the lost income when jobs are cut. She described the Trump administration as “chaos by design.” When jobs are cut, families wonder how they will buy groceries, gas, and necessities. And the Medicaid cuts will affect the poor who depend on it for insurance and many seniors who live in nursing homes. Eventually, all of us will be affected in some way. The Trump administration is not keeping its promises to cut prices, and we need to point that out now.
Committeewoman Pam Davidson continued with more ideas about ways to fight the chaos. She said that after the election, she was depressed and upset, but she got a call from a constituent who needed her help, and she realized that we cannot just sit around. The Democrats in Illinois represent and care for everyone, no matter what their party. Democrats care for the elderly and the children, the homeless and the persecuted, and the people in Ukraine who are fighting for their lives. To get started, she suggested that we support local Democratic candidates who are running for offices and help them in any way we can. Support businesses that believe in DEI, and stop shopping at businesses that have changed their practices because of Trump. Pam ended her speech by leading us in the spiritual, “I’m Not Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around, I’m Gonna Keep on Walking, Keep on Talking, Til I Get Trump Out of Office.”
Tim Drea, President of the IL AFL-CIO, educated us about how unions help the everyday worker. Unions let their members know what the issues are, but each union member makes an individual decision about how to vote. The IL AFL-CIO backed the Worker Freedom of Speech Act, which states that Illinois employees cannot be forced to attend employee meetings concerning politics or religious speech. Unions also worked hard to get the Workers’ Rights Amendment passed in Illinois, so workers have the freedom to organize and bargain for better conditions without fear of being fired. Drea gave credit to our Illinois Democrats for passing laws that help our citizens have paid leave and a living wage.
Other influential speakers at the dinner included IL Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, IL Attorney General Kwame Raoul, IL Comptroller Susana Mendoza, IL Treasurer Michael Frericks, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Speaker of the IL House Chris Welch, and the two Kane County award winners. Ed Hanson, the Truman Award Winner, stated that “when we all work together, we do better together.” Ricky Rivard, the Volunteer Excellence Award Winner, had a similar message. He said that “When we win, the right to choose wins.” Their thoughts reminded me of some additional words by Pam Davidson about continuing on. Pam said that we had a good presidential candidate who fought a good fight, and “when you do all you can, you leave it on the field with no regrets.” We left everything on the field in November, and we are rising to protest and fight again.
