Illinois Democrats are not afraid to elect people

[murielm99]

who look like ALL of us.

The lineup of speakers and honorees at the ILDCCA Chairs' Brunch this year was phenomenal.

Kristina Zahorik is the first female chair of the ILDCCA.

Mike Madigan and John Cullerton are old white guys, and very powerful. They have facilitated supermajorities for Democrats in both houses in Springfield.

Lori Lightfoot, Mayor of Chicago, is a WOC and gay.

Jean Gordon Booth, a WOC, is the first African American to be elected from central Illinois to the state legislature. She is the Deputy House Majority Leader.

JB Pritzger, the most progressive governor in our Illinois history, is Jewish.

Cheri Bustos, successful Congresswoman for the 17th District, is in charge of the DCCC.

Tammy Duckworth, one of our Democratic Senators, is a wounded veteran, a mom and an Asian American woman.

Dick Durbin, one of my favorite Democrats, gets things done. He has power. He says he is glad that Nancy Pelosi, our keynote speaker, is in her position. He is happy that we did not send a man to do a woman's job.

Our Lt. Governor, Julianna Stratton, is a WOC.

One of of great freshman Congress people, Lauren Underwood, is a WOC. She won a hard fought election and now has Hastert's old seat.

We are getting big things done in this state with our talented, diverse Democrats.

[still_one]

1. Congratulations Muriel. Such a diverse group of people

[murielm99]

2. I forgot to mention

Jesse White, a POC and our long term Secretary of State, and Susanna Mendoza, our State Comptroller.

Dick Durbin knows that power is meant to be shared. He was delighted to interact with this diverse group of speakers and guests.

Durbin is known for his accessibility. He mentors many young people, including women. I have seen some of his aides grow over the years. He mentored Cheri Bustos. He mentored female county chairs when there were only two or three of us in the entire state.

This diversity is the future of our party and our country. It scares republicans. Let's continue sharing our power in other parts of the country.

[George II]

3. Not a single one of them is controversial or out for glory. All guts, though. My favorite...

...in that group is Tammy Duckworth. For what she's gone through in her life she has the most positive, upbeat attitude in the entire Senate.

[murielm99]

4. I have to mention what Tammy said from the podium.

She, and nearly everyone else, mentioned sensible gun control.

Tammy said that as a military person, she was trained to use all types of weapons, including automatic rifles. She stated that these belong only on the battlefield, not on the streets. She said she is a gun owner who enjoys going to the range to keep up her skills. Nevertheless, she was clear and firm about her position on gun laws.