Jesse White summed up the sentiments Sunday of more than 500 Democrats gathered in the stronghold for Illinois Republicans: “Winning is for me and losing is for someone else.”
The Illinois secretary of state joined Gov. Pat Quinn and several other state officials at the Presidents Day Gala held by the Democratic Party of DuPage County at the Drury Lane Conference Center in Oakbrook Terrace. The group celebrated its recent victories in DuPage County, including winning three seats on the County Board. Also attending the event were Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and Comptroller Dan Hynes.
“What an unbelievable turnout this is in DuPage County where I grew up,” Quinn said. “When I lived in Hinsdale, I think our family was the only Democrats here. It was a long time between victories for Democrats in DuPage County. But the people here tonight have made it possible for Democrats to start winning again.”
Dirk Enger of Winfield, Rita Gonzalez of Addison and Tony Michelassi of Aurora won seats in November on the 18-member DuPage County Board. Barack Obama also carried DuPage County among all presidential candidates during the general election.
Quinn told those in attendance that the Democratic Party has not only made gains in DuPage County but also is asserting itself on the world stage.
“Our president is leading our country and is the leader of the free world,” Quinn said. “We live in the first democracy on planet Earth and we live in the best democracy on planet Earth. ... We want to elect decent people dedicated to the common good.”
Quinn acknowledged the challenges confronting state government.
“We have to reform the whole structure of government. We have to balance the budget, which has a $9 billion deficit right now,” Quinn said. “In order to overcome these challenges, we have to believe in the power of democracy.”
In summarizing what he thinks is key to political success, Quinn repeated a line he uses often: “Early to bed, early to rise. Work like hell and organize!”
Robert Peickert, chairman of the Democratic Party of DuPage County, said he didn’t believe the group’s executive director, Amy Tauchman, when she said this event would attract at least 600 people when they began planning for it three months ago. While he was correct in that it drew about 550 people, he suggested even this number exceeded his expectations.
“We celebrate our accomplishments this year: electing Barack Obama and for the first time in 34 years, we’ve elected three Democrats to the DuPage County Board,” Peickert said. “And as we spend this day celebrating, let’s reflect on why we’re here: To see that Democrats have a greater voice in DuPage County than ever before.”
“The last time I saw this any Democrats in DuPage County was when Paul Simon was running for president,” Madigan said the late U.S. senator from Illinois. “It’s a new day; it is a new week. It’s going to be a much better time in the state of Illinois.”
Madigan assured audience members that the public officials gathered at the event are committed to moving Illinois beyond the problems that have plagued the state during the tenure of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
“We are all working together to move this state forward,” Madigan said. “Gov. Quinn recently hosted a meeting. It was the first time since July 1, 2003, that all the statewide constitutional officers got together for a meeting.”
Madigan also assured those in attendance that a new day is dawning in DuPage County. The many hours of organizing on the part of many people have given local Democrats a reason to be proud, she said.
Giannoulias reiterated that point.
“The countless hours that all of you have put in have kept the state of Illinois blue,” he said. “And we want to make sure DuPage County is blue and remains that way for a long time.
“We are excited about the future. We have some great challenges, but we’re ready to meet those challenges,” Giannoulias said. “We made history in November when we elected one of our own, someone who as a stare senator mentored me. ... The president of the United States, Barack Obama. ... Because of that hard work, we have a now voice in the white house. ... He is going to go down in history as one of best presidents ever.”
