by Nancy Bruski 12/11/2009

Wow!  Exhilaration is the only word to describe my feelings as I left the fantastic women’s event for Patrick Keenan-Devlin held at the home of Ronna Stamm in southeast Evanston on Thursday night, Dec. 10th, “Women’s Issues are Patrick’s Issues!”  One hundred and twenty powerful, accomplished, determined, and activist women (plus a smattering of extremely self-confident men) were in attendance at this truly inspiring event.

There was networking, hobnobbing, mutual support and much lively political discussion going on throughout the evening, as well as heartfelt and inspiring introductions of Patrick who then spoke to us of his commitment to women’s issues in his usual incredibly articulate and passionate voice.

He spoke of his years of watching the dedication of his mother, a longtime o.b.-gynie nurse from New York (who had spent untold hours on various airplanes to get to Chicago for the event), as well as his growing up with his autistic brother as the origins from which his passion for human services has grown.  He shared his vision of a state that would adequately fund education so that every child has a real chance to succeed, his commitment to a woman’s essential right to choose what happens to her body and to her life, and he clearly expressed the critical truth that women’s issues are, in fact, human issues that must concern every citizen of Illinois.  Patrick reiterated his belief in a progressive income tax increase in our state, and the audience applauded wildly…a rare accomplishment, indeed, when a statement supporting a tax increase is an applause line!

Being a part of the excitement, commitment, and dedication of the women present in our determination to ensure that Patrick has the opportunity to represent us in Springfield was beyond inspiring…it was downright electrifying!

We are an unstoppable force!  Come join us at PatrickforIllinois.com!!

by Judy Mandel 12/9/2009

Last week at the endorsement session of the New Trier Democratic Organization, Patrick Keenan-Devlin was endorsed by the grand daughter of Morris Vodianoy, me, Judy Mandel. A man of high principles and moral values, my "Poppa Morris" would have approved of Patrick Keenan-Devlin and my endorsement of him. In fact, in Patrick, I see the young Morris Vodianoy that I never got to know.

I look back last week at the New Trier Democrats endorsement session and I am so proud to be a member of this organization. There was a time when there were so few Democrats in New Trier Township that Candidates didn’t court their endorsement.

Today that is not the case. Thanks to Lynn Williams and Bill Crowley, we have built an organization of Progressive Democrats who have helped turn New Trier Township  BLUE.

So when I was asked by Patrick Keenan-Devlin to speak on his behalf at the endorsement session, I was both thrilled and terrified. I was going to have to get up before this savvy group of Democrats and talk about Patrick and sway them to endorse him. Now I did have something going for me and that is that Patrick is a great candidate. He is someone who I believe in and so if I spoke from the heart, I was sure that I could be persuasive.

When it was my turn to speak I knew that what I was going to say would be the “icing” on the cake that his wonderful campaign staff created with all their hard work and dedication.

I am happy to say that Patrick was endorsed by the New Trier Democrats and this important endorsement will be instrumental to his victory in the February 2^nd Primary.

Judy Mandel
Executive Committee
New Trier Democrats Organization

by Sue Brady 12/7/2009

After the emotional presidential campaign of 2008, 2009 beckoned as an ‘off-year’ of convincing friends to support a candidate I thought was worthy of their vote.  And it was—until Patrick Keenan-Devlin announced for the vacant seat in the state legislature. 

As a person who has experienced Patrick’s strong belief in the necessity of good public policy, I became an early and eager endorser of his candidacy.  Values, intelligence and passion are the reasons I am now, once again, offering my time and support. As a former Evanston alderman, I know what it takes to do right in public office.   If you feel like I do, please email him and offer your assistance at patrickforillinois@gmail.com.

Originally published as a letter to the editor in the Evanston RoundTable.

by Karen S. Vroegh 12/3/2009

Take a good look at Patrick Keenan-Devlin, a candidate for state representative in Illinois' 18th District. He's wise and confident, and has knowledge of Springfield and how to make things happen. His experiences have fired his passion to work for new ways in Illinois politics.

In Springfield, Keenan-Devlin served as legislative director of Citizens Action/Illinois. He is an alum of Northwestern University and has been a committed volunteer with United Way of the North Shore, the Youth Job Center and other nonprofits. He and I have worked together on several volunteer projects. As a lifelong volunteer, I've learned whom you can count on to get things done. We can count on him.

We all know that Illinois government is broken. Keenan-Devlin is a candidate with the drive to make needed changes. He knows what needs to be done to chart a new way for our state. His priorities include, but are not limited to, ending corruption, addressing our regressive tax structure, protecting essential social services, curbing predatory lending practices and making health-care accessible.

Keenan-Devlin has real solutions to these systemic problems. He wants to make Illinois government responsible and responsive to the people of the 18th District and Illinois. He is a man with courage, commitment and independence; one who will do what he says he'll do; and who will challenge special interest groups in Springfield.

Please vote for Patrick Keenan-Devlin on Feb. 2 in the Democratic primary for 18th District state representative.

Originally published as a letter to the editor in the Evanston Review.

by Patrick Keenan-Devlin October 15, 2009

Ask anyone who does good work in our community – whether they tutor kids at a public library, volunteer at a food bank, or run a shelter for battered women – and they’ll tell you that these are truly tough times.  More people are in need, but government dollars are evaporating and private donations are not sufficient to make up for that loss.  We all desire -- and a decent society requires -- good schools for our kids, health care for our seniors, protection of our streets and homes for all citizens.  But right now, in Illinois, we can’t count on any of that.

It’s time to face, head-on, the serious problems created by a state government that can’t meet the needs of its citizens.  We must fix the mess we’re in, in a fiscally responsible, forward-thinking, and fair manner.  We need to pass House Bill 174.  I’m a candidate for state representative in the 18th District, and I’d be fighting for this bill if I were in office.  But right now I’m speaking as a citizen to urge support for HB174. The Illinois House of Representatives is in session this week, and could take A vote on HB174 at any point in the next couple of days.

HB174 would finally fund public education at the levels the Illinois Constitution mandates, and quality schools would become possible for all kids in our state.  This bill would allow the state to meet obligations to fund pensions for our teachers and firefighters and police officers. HB174 would mean the continuation of vital social services, which are now threatened with severe cutbacks or outright elimination. Public libraries would remain open, prescription drug programs for seniors would continue, and shelters Would provide food for the hungry.  To achieve these ends, HB174 would raise the state income tax from 3% to 5%.  This increase would fall only on those who can afford it, since the bill also increases the Earned Income Tax Credit from 5% to 15%, tripling the amount of money those at the lowest end of the income scale get back. This is a fair, reasonable, and utterly necessary tax adjustment.

Passing HB174 is the right thing to do.  This is the right time to do it.  Let your legislators in Springfield know that YOU want them to support HB174, and you’ll support them if they do.

Originally published as a letter to the editor in the Evanston RoundTable.