February 2010
My Friends:
Throughout this campaign you've heard me talk about what makes the 18th District special -- about what made me decide, shortly after I'd first arrived here, that this was the place I wanted to make my home. When I decided to run for State Representative, I determined to make sure that our campaign looked and felt just like this place -- that it be built and propelled by the extraordinary people who live here; that it speak to the issues that matter here; that it reflect the values of this compassionate, progressive community. Together, we did that. Because of your efforts, because of the work you did, person to person, neighbor to neighbor, what began as a campaign became a movement.
This amazing effort brought together hundreds of people of all backgrounds, identities, ages and experiences, from Evanston, from New Trier, and from Rogers Park -- all united by their determination to usher in a New Way for Illinois. All of you firmly believe that we can and must do better in Illinois, and that we must stand up to the corporate cash and the corruption that dominate politics in our state. As Democrats you insist that our Party stand up for working men and women, fight to educate all our children, and protect our vulnerable citizens. The grass-roots movement you built was something special. Just like this place.
We fell just short of victory this time, and I have extended my congratulations to Robyn Gabel. Robyn is a friend and colleague who will represent us well in Springfield. I will work with Robyn and with all the Democrats we nominated to ensure that we send progressive Democrats to the statehouse and to Congress. I ask all of you to do the same -- we are all on the same team now.
But this loss in no way undercuts the importance of what we achieved together through this campaign, and my appreciation for all the hard work, the sacrifices, and the commitment you all made to work for a New Way for Illinois. What I cherish most of all about all of you is that not a single one of you is cynical; cynicism is an emotion I have no appreciation for. Every one of you believes that we can make this community, this state, this nation better -- if we work together, and care for each other. Keep the faith – I say that often. All of you do that – you keep the faith in our country, you keep faith in our future, and -- most importantly -- you keep faith in each other.
So, to friends and supporters, this is the end of this campaign but not the end of our work together. The issues we raised during the campaign -- the pressing need to restore integrity to our political process and put our State's government back in the people's hands -- demand urgent and concerted attention, now more than ever. We owe it to our State to do that – you have so much talent, so much energy, and so much commitment to give, and Illinois surely needs your help at this time. I plan to be in touch soon with ways we can work together to continue our efforts to usher in a New Way for Illinois.
And I count on you to stay in touch, and I expect you to be just as persistent with me now as you were with all those voters out there, emailing and calling me regularly, providing me with your ideas, your energy, and your inspiration.
Thank you -- all of you -- for making this community such a remarkable place. See you soon.
Click here to see our supporters list
Welcome to our campaign to forge a New Way for Illinois. We need a fresh start and new direction for our state, and the residents of the 18th District deserve bold, principled leadership in Springfield. I'm the youngest candidate in this race, but I believe I bring the best ideas for real change, along with a track record of progressive reform and proven commitment to our community. I offer a comprehensive plan to restore integrity to Illinois. We must:
- Get the cash out of campaigns: impose meaningful contribution limits, adopt public financing for state campaigns, and end “pay to play” once and for all
- Fix our budget mess: address our crippling structural deficit so we can pay our bills and revitalize the Illinois economy
- Protect our schools and our vulnerable citizens: restructure our unfair, regressive tax system and fully fund education and vital social programs
I invite you to get to know me better here, and read about my stands on the issues here.
Our campaign is breaking new ground, too. It’s rooted in the neighborhoods of the 18th District, and it’s driven by hundreds of supporters who are talking to friends, reaching out to colleagues, shaking hands with strangers. We call this our Network of Neighbors, and together, one conversation at a time, we’re fighting to turn things around in Springfield. If you’d like to learn more, contact our office at 847 475-1818 or check out our calendar for an upcoming event . Please join us – we need your help to build a New Way for Illinois.
I would be honored to have your support. Early Voting Begins January 11th; election day is February 2nd. All the best --
Patrick Keenan-Devlin
Endorsements
AFSCME Council 31
Citizen Action/Illinois
Evanston Firefighters, Local 742
Illinois AFL-CIO
Illinois Citizens for Handgun Control: "A" Rating
New Trier Democratic Organization
Personal PAC (a pro-choice political action committee)
SEIU Doctors’ Council
SEIU Local 73
Stonewall Democrats (grassroots Democratic Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Advocacy Organization)
UFCW Local 881
Regular 18th District Residents (letters to the editor, includes all candidates)
Women for Patrick (350 and growing)
Patrick Keenan-Devlin and supporters after the Evanston 4th of July Parade 2009