* Background is here if you need it. From Dan Kovats, Executive Director, Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association…
Dear IDCCA Supporter,
We look forward to seeing you at the 2021 Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Brunch.
We have received a strong response from Democrats all over the state. Our friends, colleagues and allies are eager to welcome our special guest, US Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia, hear from our outstanding Democratic leaders and also share in the pride as we honor John Penn and the late Barb Brown.
BRUNCH WILL BE HELD OUTSIDE AT THE CROWNE PLAZA - SPRINGFIELD
The 2021 IDCCA Annual Brunch will be held outdoors under a tent with open sides to further mitigate any concerns from attendees about the coronavirus. Plan to spend the morning outside under the tent. Pay attention to the weather forecast, we can expect heat and humidity, and dress accordingly. The schedule remains the same, but here are some new details.
IDCCA Annual Brunch
Wednesday, August 18th
7:15am – Shuttle Bus from parking lot starts
7:30am – On-Site Registration Opens
9:00am – Program Begins
Crowne Plaza- Springfield, 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield
Covid Guidelines
1. We recommend that everyone in attendance wear a mask.
2. Seating capacity is limited with special precautions given to wide rows of seats and space between seats for social distancing.
3. All meals will be in boxes that you will be given when you arrive. Items in the boxes will be wrapped. Packaged hot sandwiches will be provided.
4. We have modified our ticket pick up and have a virtual option to participate.
5. Crowne Plaza staff will be taking all proper precautions.
6. We will have access to the Crown Plaza for restrooms and cooling off. Inside the Crowne Plaza you will be required to wear a mask.
Ticket Pick-Up
Tickets will be held under the name of each guest.
On Tuesday, August 17th, tickets will be available for pick up from 12:00pm to 8:00pm at the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association Office – 318 E Monroe St, Springfield.
We are asking everyone to pick up their tickets on Tuesday afternoon. This will help reduce the long lines on the morning of the Brunch. If you are unable to make it to our office on Tuesday afternoon, your ticket will also be available for pick up the morning of the Brunch starting at 7:30am outside of the Crowne Plaza.
Please note, tickets will be required for entry.
If you have not already done so, please submit the individual names for your tickets to xxxxx@ildccabrunch.org ASAP!
Parking
You will not be able to park at the Crowne Plaza, unless you have a handicapped permit. We have provided free parking at the Capitol City Shopping Center just south of the Crowne Plaza, with a shuttle starting at 7:15am running continuously until 11:00 am. Note: You will be required to wear a mask while on the shuttle.
Special Accommodation
We are providing ASL interpreters and accessible seating for those with need. For more information or to request special accommodations please contact xxxxx@ildccabrunch.org
Again, thank you for your support of the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association and this year’s County Chairs’ Brunch.
Questions? Please contact our staff at xxxxx.
I’ll be asking for a response from the Pritzker campaign in a moment.
*** UPDATE *** From Pritzker’s campaign spokesperson…
After deciding not to attend the IDCCA brunch the Governor made plans with his family back in Chicago. He will be sending a video message about the importance of electing Democrats up and down the ballot and will still be hosting a scaled-back outdoor event on the Director’s Lawn in honor of Governor’s Day.
A governor who can afford a private jet can make plans like this, I suppose. Still.
(To address potential comments, yes, he’s coming back to his State Fair event that afternoon.)
- Captain Obvious - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 12:44 pm:
Gotta love the tit for tat going on here. Please keep it up. As entertaining as last night’s ball game.
- North Park - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 12:44 pm:
So instead of catching COVID in the dining room, you’re going to get it on the shuttle instead?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 12:45 pm:
They really want the governor when it’s apparent… they don’t want the governor too
That’s fun.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 12:47 pm:
“I hope you have a screen or something, I’m going to send you a taped message as you begged. See you at the fair”
That’d be tasty, lol
- SAP - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 12:47 pm:
Pretty quick pivot from IDCCA.
NP: Shuttle is a shorter time period, smaller group, and not involving a meal, so masks can be worn.
- DuPage Dem - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 12:51 pm:
“We don’t need the Governor for things. Except when we do. Please come. Please?”
Also - they are moving a bunch of folks to the blacktop outside the Crowne in August heat? No thanks.
- EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 12:58 pm:
==“I hope you have a screen or something, I’m going to send you a taped message as you begged. See you at the fair”==
Or move the brunch to the 66 Drive In by Knight’s Action Park and put the Governor’s video message on both of the big screens.
- EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 1:01 pm:
==Also - they are moving a bunch of folks to the blacktop outside the Crowne in August heat? No thanks.==
After the nice weekend after yesterday’s storms and the recent heat, it will start to get a little toastier on Wednesday. But at this time only 85 expected for a high on Wednesday, with at least a small chance of showers and thunderstorms. Might not be that bad yet temp wise that morning, however, as long as the rain holds off until later.
- Responsa - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 1:11 pm:
Kind of like high school. Before I decide, will the cool kids be at the party?
- Concerned Dem - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 1:42 pm:
So publicly the Gov has said he wasn’t going because it was indoors, so not safe (nevermind unvaccinated children piling into schools starting this month). Now what’s the public excuse that it’s been moved outside, other than “I don’t want be because my feelings are hurt”. For having a team of smart people around him, why does the Gov always seem to find himself on the losing end of these self made situations?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 1:43 pm:
===He will be sending a video message about the importance of electing Democrats up and down the ballot and will still be hosting a scaled-back outdoor event on the Director’s Lawn in honor of Governor’s Day.===
Hilarious
===After deciding not to attend the IDCCA brunch===
Translation?
“Move it, change it, I’m not coming. Thought I was clear, now I’m quite clear”
If they wanna see the governor, head to his event
- Concerned Dem - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 1:43 pm:
So wait, what about his “casual event” at the fair that same day?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 1:45 pm:
- Concerned Dem -
They don’t want the governor.
They won.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 1:48 pm:
This is what Democratic unity looks like in Illinois.
*facepalm*
- NIU Grad - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 1:52 pm:
“This is what Democratic unity looks like in Illinois.”
We usually see this kind of infighting when they think they have an upcoming general election in the bag. I’m not liking this level of confidence in a presidential off-year..
- Concerned Dem - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 1:58 pm:
Maybe his newly discovered family plans are a meeting to figure out the details of his event that hasn’t been announced or had people invited too yet
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 2:00 pm:
===plans are a meeting to figure out the details of his event===
Governor’s Day. Directors Lawn?
Same as it was in before times…
- DuPage Dem - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 2:08 pm:
Governor’s Day on the Director’s Lawn has been happening since I was a kid. This isn’t some new event. Learn your history. Also I was both invited and planning on going’s. (Have a ticket to both events actually but I’m inclined not to go to the brunch at this point given the heat.)
Here’s the thing - Houlihan and company think everyone needs them. They don’t. Might be time to recalibrate some expectations.
Does anyone have the actual speaker rundown for the Brunch?
- Rudy’s teeth - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 2:10 pm:
Will the Democratic Party hand out paddle fans with a re-elect Pritzker message? Might keep some folks from fainting in the August heat.
- Captain Obvious - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 2:15 pm:
I am sure Jay Bob’s family would be welcome at the brunch. Problem solved.
- irony is fun - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 2:19 pm:
I am just saying — this wouldn’t have happened when Doug House was in charge of IDCCA. He would have locked down attendance by the Democratic Governor before anything else. And if he wasn’t attending (Blago and Quinn missed a few), he would make it crystal clear from the beginning that there was a scheduling conflict.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 2:22 pm:
===welcome at the brunch===
The governor will see anyone who comes to his event. They’re welcome there. Problem solved
- Concerned Dem - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 2:33 pm:
I’m quite familiar with the past Director’s Lawn events, it’s just incredibly weak sauce that this passes for his public excuse for snubbing the party faithful considering that the first we’re hearing of its rebirth is less than a week before and still no times or speaker line up have been announced.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 2:36 pm:
===first we’re hearing of its rebirth is less than a week before===
Speak for yourself.
===speaker line up===
There hasn’t been a speaker lineup in years. People got tired of hearing the same speeches at the fairgrounds that they’d heard at the brunch.
- skutt - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 3:20 pm:
What’s that quote again, “I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat.”
- Stix His - Friday, Aug 13, 21 @ 3:40 pm:
I’ve always felt the atmosphere inside the Crowne Plaza at this event was like being at a July tent revival. Better pass out some funeral home fans.