U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly becomes chairwoman of the Illinois Democratic Party

Posted on July 15, 2021

 

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly. (Photo courtesy: Dave Dahl/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – The feds have signed off on a plan that lets U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Matteson) be chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Illinois without doing a major part of the job. As a federal officeholder, Kelly cannot raise money at the state level.

The way the party’s proposal shakes out – removing Kelly from that fund-raising in favor of a commission, is not lost on Trey Trainor of the Federal Election Commission.

“Essentially, what we are doing is turning the party chairmanship in Illinois into a purely honorary role,” Trainor said during Thursday morning’s FEC meeting, “without the power to direct a very large portion of the activities that the Democratic Party of Illinois engages in.”

DPI lawyer Sam Brown put a positive spin on the proposal, saying it fits Kelly’s vision to grow the party, make it more diverse and inclusive, and give more people a chance to get involved.

Kelly is black. Trainor said the party’s not maximizing the diversity she brings.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]. 

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…