IDCCA NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2015 Issue 1

IDCCA December 2015 Newsletter

Issue # 1

NEWS FROM AROUND THE ASSOCIATION IN THIS ISSUE President’s Message Meet new Democratic County Chairmen’s Association Executive Director Dan Kovats and learn about some exciting President’s Message changes coming to the IDCCA By Doug House, President IDCCA Executive Director’s Message Chairman, Rock Island County Democratic Party Meet new Illinois Democratic County than 30 years ago serving under the late Rock Chairmen’s Association Executive Director Dear Fellow Democratic Chairman, Island County Chairman John Gianulis Dan Kovats and learn about some exciting (former IDCCA President). John Gianulis was changes coming to the IDCCA. – Page 2 It is an honor to have been selected to serve organized and knew how to treat people as the President of the Illinois Democratic fairly and with respect. These two leaders Campaign Training County Chairmen’s Association. At our shaped my political and my personal life 6 tips for putting together a successful November General Membership meeting, I before I was elected Chairman of the Rock campaign are discussed as well as what to was elected to complete the term of Mike Island County Democratic Party in April look for in a campaign manager. – Page 2 Mathis, who stepped down to focus on his of 2012. In my earlier years, I learned the race for State Representative. The humility of hard work knocking on doors for Issues Training Presidency of our organization is a candidates and walking a picket line with A look at the proposals of Governor Bruce responsibility that I do not take lightly and I other union members, as a result, I am not Rauner and why they are wrong for Illinois pledge to each of you that I will work hard afraid of the hard work we face ahead. I will and for you.. – Page 3 every day to make our organization stronger. use everything that I have learned from these I would also like to thank Mike for his service experiences to make this organization Endorsements to our organization and I look forward to stronger and more respected. On November 7th, 2015 the General helping him to get elected along with the Membership of the Illinois Democratic other Democrats on the 2016 ballot. As we enter the 2016 Election cycle, I am County Chairman’s association met in excited about our candidates and the future I have been an active Democrat and Trade Springfield to discuss endorsements for the of our organization. I want IDCCA to be a upcoming 2016 Primary Election. – Page 4 Unionist my entire adult life. But it was while valued partner with Labor, our Democratic serving as political director for the late Officials and Candidates, and of course the Congressman Lane Evans that learned about Democratic Party of Illinois. public service, integrity and building an unbreakable bond with the voters. I was [Continued on Page 2] elected Precinct Committeeman more

The Illinois Democratic County Chairman’s Association is a state wide, grassroots Democratic political organization. It is made up of the elected Democratic County Chairman in all 102 counties in Illinois. The mission of the IDCCA is to help elect Democrats in each county while continuing to grow the Democratic Party in the State of Illinois. Rock Island County Chairman Doug House is the President of the Illinois Democratic County Chairman’s Association.

Paid for by the Illinois Democratic County Chairmen’s Association. A copy of our report is (or will be) available for purchase from the Illinois State Board of Elections, Springfield, IL. Labor Donated IDCCA NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2015 | Issue 1 2

My name is Dan Kovats, and I would like to If you haven’t had a chance, please Like the President’s introduce myself as your new Executive Illinois Democratic County Chairmen’s Director of the Illinois Democratic County Association on Facebook. If there is anything Message Chairmen’s Association. I wanted to this that you need from myself or IDCCA please opportunity to tell you a bit about myself and email me directly at [email protected]. [Continued from page 1] talk about some of the exciting changes that This means that we will be having a renewed are coming for IDCCA. I would also like to extend to each of you and focus on training for Precinct Committeeman to each of your families a Happy Holidays and assisting with resources for all of the I have been involved in campaigns for the last and Merry Christmas. I hope this holiday County Chairman to become better 10 years starting out in organizing and season is a joyful one for all of us. organized. We will work together making it a grassroots efforts, which are the lifeblood of priority to recruit and fill open Precinct the Democratic Party. My last campaign I Respectfully Submitted, Committeeman positions statewide so that served as Campaign Manager to Rianne we can be the strongest grass roots Hawkins for Springfield City Clerk and before Dan Kovats organization that we can be. that, I was the Downstate Regional Field Executive Director Director for US Senator ’s Since our last meeting in November we have reelection campaign. I have also worked opened a new office at 316 East Monroe and numerous county wide and smaller races Campaign hired a new Executive Director, Dan Kovats – within Sangamon County. I also served for 11 [email protected], amplified our social months as an Outreach Assistant to State Training media presence and had an executive Treasurer Michael Frerichs before accepting committee meeting to begin to map out our By Anna Valencia this opportunity with IDCCA. plan for next year.

There are many new changes on the horizon We have many challenges on our hands in Tips for a successful campaign: for IDCCA. Since you are reading our first 2016 but none greater than the threat posed newsletter, you can see one of the bigger by Governor Rauner. He has dedicated 1.) Take the time to plan it all changes that we are implementing. The himself to destroying Organized Labor and out…BEFORE you hire your team. IDCCA newsletter will be a monthly update hurting the working class in our state by 2.) Can you raise the money needed? on our organization and will provide valuable driving wages down. Our Democratic 3.) Do you have endorsements, information for each of the County Parties. Legislators have done an outstanding job of volunteers, and grassroots The Training Section will be one section that keeping Rauner’s misguided Turnaround support? you won’t want to miss each month. My goal Agenda in check. Now is the time that we 4.) What resources will you need to is that each month we will provide valuable need to take the fight to him. The IDCCA win? information on modern campaigning and will be a leader in this fight; I know that you 5.) What is the landscape? Is it a good issues facing the Democratic Party. Both are just as committed to stopping Governor year for Democrats? Is it the right parts of this section will be done by subject Rauner as I am. The 2016 election will be district that fits your views? matter experts that have years of experience critical in stopping the Governor's assault, 6.) DON’T spend any money until you in their fields. I hope that you will find this requiring all of us to be engaged and united. have a campaign manager, plan information useful as we head towards and budget in place!! I intend to lead our organization much like I November 2016. have led the Rock Island County Democrats. Once you have answered some key There are several other changes that will be My door is always open to each of you. If you questions, you are ready to build your team. coming up over the next couple of months. have any questions or concerns, please do Remember that you are putting your political We will be completely revamping our not hesitate to contact me career in the hands of others, so make sure website to provide more information and at [email protected]. you trust them and you can work with them resources to County Parties. We are also 24/7. Whether you are running for County In the coming weeks you will learn more looking into live streaming our General Board or United States Senator, it is about our exciting plans to provide you the Membership meetings so that more County important to have a good team of advisors tools and training to be successful for all of Chairman can participate. There are also that can offer different viewpoints. At the our Democrats candidates across the state, I several in person trainings and fundraisers in end of the day you must trust your advisors look forward to working with you, Dan the works. As new information becomes to help you make crucial decisions. Kovats and our partners to make this a very available, I will be utilizing these new and successful effort. updated resources to keep you informed of Make sure your team is organized and there the latest. is one person making the final decisions, With Deep Appreciation for all that you do, either the candidate and campaign manager. I am very excited about the future of our The candidate will hear multiple voices Doug House organization and I’m looking forward to throughout a race, but it is very important for President working together to elect Democrats from a winning campaign that there be one clear the US Capitol, to the Statehouse to the voice that the candidate listens to and has County Courthouse. I’m looking forward to Executive Director’s Message the authority to make executive decisions. working with President Doug House and the By Dan Kovats, Executive Director IDCCA [Continued on Page 3] entire Executive Board to build a stronger

Dear County Chairmen, Precinct IDCCA.

Committeemen and Elected Officials,

IDCCA NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2015 | Issue 1 3

Prevailing Wage Why Rauner is Wrong Campaign Training What it Does  Local government employees [Continued from page 2] should have the same rights as At the end of the day, you must be able to The Prevailing Wage Act applies to state workers and workers in the make multiple decisions at the same time construction projects that are funded with private sector; and move forward quickly executing. tax dollars. The law requires the most  Public employees primarily join

common wage in an area to be paid to the unions to get protection from being When choosing a campaign manager make workers who build the project. Wages differ fired for political reasons, not sure to look for someone who is: by type of worker and typically from county simply to increase their pay; 1.) Trustworthy to county. Support for elimination of  Decent wages and benefits for 2.) Personable and can manage a team Prevailing Wage is support for pay cut for public employees make it more of various personalities Illinois construction workers. attractive to work in critical, but 3.) Organized difficult and oftentimes dangerous 4.) Depending on what office you are Everyone Benefits from Prevailing Wage jobs. running for, has previous

leadership experience and has Taxpayers, local businesses and local workers Workers Compensation managed other people. benefit from the Prevailing Wage Act: 5.) Can successfully execute plans.  What it Does Taxpayers get a project that is done right by skilled workers Anna Valencia is Founder and principle, AVK Injured workers gave up the right to sue their instead of fly-by-night contractors Advisors LLC. Former Senior Advisor –Rahm employers in court for damages and pain and who cut corners; Emanuel for Mayor, 2015 and Former Campaign suffering for injuries that occur on the job in  Manager – Dick Durbin US Senate, 2015 It prohibits local contractors from exchange for payment of accident-related being undercut by low wage, out- medical bills and a partial replacement of lost of-state contractors because the wages while unable to work. Issues Act forces contractors to bid on work based on how efficient and What Rauner Wants to Do Training well-trained their workforce is rather than how far they can drive Gov. Rauner has proposed preventing By Sean Stott down wages; thousands of injured workers from getting

 Illinois workers (both union and workers comp by instituting a so-called Rauner’s Ransom non-union) benefit from better “causation” standard. The Illinois House has voted on Governor wages and benefits and more job Why Rauner is Wrong Rauner’s anti-worker, anti-middle class opportunities; and agenda 11 times now; and 11 times the  Local businesses benefit from the additional money earned by local  Causation supporters claim they House has overwhelmingly rejected it. No are not cutting benefits, but they Democrat has ever supported the Rauner families who spend it in the community rather than sending it are really prohibiting legitimately amendment. House Republicans have injured workers from even typically either voted “present” (a non- out-of state. qualifying for benefits; committal vote) or refused to vote.  This will mean that workers with any pre-existing condition made Rauner is holding the final pieces of the state Why Rauner is Wrong worse on the job will rarely, if ever, budget hostage until legislators give in to his Gov. Rauner and opponents of the Prevailing get workers comp; demands to hurt the middle class by: Wage Act make outrageous claims that the  Rauner’s proposal will hit older  Cutting construction worker pay law drives up construction costs. But their workers especially hard because through elimination of Prevailing “studies” don’t take into account the employers will easily defend claims Wage Act coverage on local efficiency that an experienced, well-trained by saying, ‘you’re getting old’ even government construction projects; workforce gets the same job done right the though the worker’s job sped up or  Allowing local governments to first time and in a fraction of the time. caused the worker’s body to wear prohibit their employees from down; Collective Bargaining Rights bargaining over pay, health  Workers will still get hurt on the job, but preventing them from insurance, privatization of their What Rauner Wants to Do jobs and other, basic items; and collecting workers comp will  Preventing injured workers, State law has given workers employed by transfer the cost of the injury from especially older workers and those state and local government the ability to the employer to the taxpayers with pre-existing conditions, from form a union and negotiate contract for more through increased Medicaid and collecting workers compensation than 30 years. Gov. Rauner wants to allow welfare benefits. benefits local governments to eliminate their employee’s ability to collectively bargain. Sean Stott is Director of Governmental Affairs for Laborers International Union – Midwest Region

This is another of Rauner’s attacks on middle and 1st Vice Chairman for the Sangamon County class families Democratic Party.

IDCCA NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2015 | Issue 1 4

first woman City Clerk of when Endorsements she was elected in 2011. Since then her office has been modernized to save Springfield, IL – On November 7, 2015 taxpayers money and streamlined to the General Membership of the Illinois reduce inefficiency. Mendoza’s office led Democratic County Chairman’s the way on revamping the Chicago City Association met in Springfield to discuss Vehicle Sticker program to make it endorsements for the upcoming 2016 easier for residents. Prior to serving as Primary Election. “It’s important that City Clerk of Chicago, Mendoza served Democrats know who our organization six terms in the Illinois House of is supporting and why we are going to Representatives where she was a work hard to get these individuals champion for social services, education elected,” said IDCCA President Doug and law enforcement. IDCCA President House. House added, “All of the House said, “Clerk Mendoza has a Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth proven track record that will bring much candidates were qualified but former th (Illinois 8 ) has been a fighter for Illinois needed changes to the Office of Illinois Secretary of State Clinton, long before she was elected to Congress Congresswoman Duckworth, and City State Comptroller. In her time as City in 2012. Duckworth served admirably as Clerk of Chicago, she has implemented Clerk of Chicago Mendoza stood above a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army. In the others as the right candidates to monumental changes that have directly November 2004 her helicopter was hit lead the Democratic ticket in 2016.” benefited the residents of Chicago. She by a rocket-propelled grenade. She lost also has a strong record with Organized both of her legs during the attack. After Labor with a 92% voting record for the Duckworth recovered from her injuries, working men and women of Illinois. She she became a tireless advocate for is the right person to fight back against Illinois veterans. She served as the Governor Rauner and his misguided Illinois Director of Veterans Affairs and Turn Around agenda.” the Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. She has also been an active voice for middle class issues facing our country. Drawing from her own middle class upbringing, she has fought for to make the lives of all Illinois residents better. IDCCA President House said, “Congresswoman Duckworth is an American hero and will be a great Hillary Clinton is a native of Park Ridge, advocate for the State of Illinois. Her

IL and has been a well-respected public experience growing up in a middle class servant her entire career. She served as family and her military experience show Secretary of State under Illinois’ favorite that she is the fighter that we need in son, President . Clinton the U.S. Senate.” was elected twice to the United States Senate to represent the State of New York. IDCCA President House said, “Secretary Clinton has been a tireless advocate for the middle class and has fought for the ideals of the Democratic

Party. Clinton has a strong message that www.facebook.com/ILDCCA will unite the Democratic Party and will be able to bridge the gaps of the deep political divide in our country. The IDCCA is looking forward to helping Secretary Clinton carry Illinois and to Or Online at help her become the first woman President of the United States.” www.ildcca.org City Clerk of Chicago Susana Mendoza

has built her career on being a watchdog for the residents of Illinois. She is the IDCCA NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2015 | Issue 1 5