State Representative Deborah Graham Opens the Gathering.
© Oak Park Journal photo
Democratic Party of Oak Park Begins Kick Off to the Coming Elections
by Ed Vincent
The gathering of local and regional Democrats had many of the Who's Who from Oak Park in attendance. The featured speaker
for the evening was Attorney General of Illinois, Lisa Madigan.
There were numerous calls for unity and seeing to it that no
one became complacent, and that the entire Democratic ticket
needed to be supported and won.
Deputy Committeeman Mr. Thomas Gary is introduced
by Senator Don Harmon.
© Oak Park Journal photo
Deputy Committeeman and United States Navy Member
Mr. Thomas Gary was introduced, and it was noted that he
had just returned from a one year assignment on the ground
in Iraq. He is home safe and was soon to be home with his
family. His efforts were applauded by the Oak Park
Democratic Party members.
Illinois
State Senator Don Harmon thanks all the members for
their many forms of support and encourages members to continue
their support until election day for the entire Democratic slate.
© Oak Park Journal photos
Senator Don Harmon was polite and firm in his endorsement
of Governor Rod R. Blagojevich over his opponent that he believes would
undo much of the good that the Governor has done. (Senator
Harmon's comments are in video
format below). Speaking of
his fine relationship with State Representative Deborah Graham,
he noted their fine work together and the joining of a mutually
respected partnership.
Attorney
General of Illinois, Lisa Madigan
Speaks About Her Job and How She is Able to Do the Right Things to the
Benefit of All (video is
located below).
© Oak Park Journal photo
work as the State's premier law enforcement officer and what she
has been able to do keeping sexual predators at bay. The State
and County are doing a lot to get all the information out on the
InterNet about sexual offenders living in our communities. I spoke
with her later about the varied classifications that find themselves
attached to a sexual predators history, how an offense in one State
is labeled completely differently from another State. I mentioned
that it would be nice to have more accountability on definitions
and perhaps a Federal standard should be set. I used as an example the case of a 19 year old boy and a 17 year old girl and with no
complaining witness. She said that often those cases do not go to trial and that if there is no complaining witness there is no case.
She also added that those cases are the ones that often get a lot of attention but are very small in number. Below is the beginning definition of "sex offender" in Illinois.
730 ILCS 150/1 et seq.
150/2. Definitions
As used in this Article, the following definitions apply:
(A) "Sex offender" means any person who is:
(1) charged pursuant to Illinois law, or any substantially similar federal or sister state law, with a sex offense set forth in subsection (B) of this Section or the attempt to commit an included sex offense, and:
CLICK LINK BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.sheriff.co.st-clair.il.us/register.asp
Senator Harmon, Attorney General Madigan, and Cook
County Vice Chairman Barrett F. Pedersen exchange
pleasantries.
© Oak Park Journal photo
Representative
Deborah Graham, Senator Don Harmon, and Attorney General Lisa Madigan
pose for some photos.
© Oak Park Journal photo
Eisenhower expressway, there were a few laughs - but part of the
question was serious (it would help our tax base).
Don Harmon's Opening Comments and the
Importance of Voting for the Democratic Slate
Lisa Madigan's Opening Statement and
Comments on Being the Attorney General of Illinois
© Oak Park Journal
published by Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.