“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”
— PERICLES

Gerrie provided ten years of dedicated leadership and service as Chair of the Champaign County Democratic Party from 1994 to 2004. During her tenure the Party celebrated many successes, including the election of the first Democratic County Board majority in history.

Memorial Celebration in Champaign March 14, 2010:

You are cordially invited to gather with us to celebrate the life and honor the memory of Gerrie Parr on Sunday, March 14, at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center, 601 S Lincoln Ave, Urbana, IL. The ceremony begins at 3 pm, with drinks and appetizers to follow from 4 – 6 pm. If you are unable to attend the ceremony, please feel free to stop by to visit with friends between 4 and 6 pm.

You are also invited to bring a picture, quote or written memory about Gerrie if you would like. This is completely voluntary. There will be space to display these memories around us as we mingle with one another. A 3 x 5 card is the ideal size for the display. There will also be a sealed box for depositing memories you would like to keep private; the box will be burned in our fireplace, un-opened.

We look forward to seeing you on March 14th. You are welcome to forward this note to others. If you need more information or have any questions, please contact her daughter Dani Schooley.

Warm Regards,
The Parr / Schooley / Altman Family

Obituary:

Geraldine A. (Gerrie) Parr, 63, of Champaign, IL passed away Friday, February 12th at the home of her sister Linda Altman in Waukegan, IL. Gerrie was born on July 28th, 1946 in Cadillac, MI. She graduated from Waukegan Township High School (‘64) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (‘68) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.

Before her retirement, Gerrie served as Auditor of Champaign County. She was also Chair of the Champaign County Democratic Party for 10 years. In addition to politicking, Gerrie spent her time skiing, sailing, reading, and cooking. She loved to travel and did so extensively in the last several years, including trips to Tahiti, China, France, Peru and Egypt.

Gerrie is survived by her daughter Daniellinda Schooley of Chicago, her father and step-mother Dan and Mavon Parr of Clearwater, FL, and her sister Linda Altman of Waukegan. She was preceded in death by her husband Kurt McKenzie, her mother Dorothy Parr, and her brother-in-law Jerry Altman.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, February 18th at St. Pat’s New Church, 15000 Wadsworth Road, Wadsworth IL. Gerrie’s family will be available to greet relatives and friends at the church beginning at 12:15pm. After the service, the family will host a late lunch at a nearby restaurant.

An additional Memorial will be held in Champaign at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made in Gerrie’s memory to the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, c/o Northwestern University Office of Development, 750 North Lake Shore Drive, 9th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611-3078 (or donate online here). Political contributions can sent to the Champaign County Democrats, c/o Jennifer Gentry, Treasurer, P.O. Box 1455, Champaign, IL 61824-1455.

Arrangements were under the care of the Salata-Gurnee Funeral Home, 4190 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee, IL. Be sure to visit their website and sign the online guest book.

Four candidates are running for two seats in the Democratic primary for the Champaign County Board in District 6. Michael Richards now sits on the board; the other three would be newcomers. The candidates and their website and/or e-mail addresses are:

• Michael Richards (countyboarddistrict6@gmail.com)
• Pattsi Petrie (pattsi2@gmail.com)
• Debby Auble (debbyauble1@gmail.com)
• Joshua (Josh) Hartke (jthartke713@yahoo.com)

It’s great to have choices. Check out the candidates, ask them questions, and make your choice on February 2!

Three candidates are running for two seats in the Democratic primary for the Champaign County Board in District 9. All three would be newcomers to the board. The candidates and their websites are:

• Chris Alix
• Scott Bennett
• James Quisenberry

It’s great to have choices.  Check out the candidate’s websites, ask them questions, and make your choice on February 2!

Here are the most requested dates & deadlines for the general primary election on February 2, 2010. For complete information, and to verify your voter status, visit the County Clerk’s site.

First day for absentee ballots: Thursday, December 24, 2009.
Last day to register: Tuesday, January 5, 2010.
First day for early voting: Monday, January 11, 2010.
Last day for early voting: Thursday, January 28, 2010.
Last day for absentee ballots: Monday, February 1, 2010.
ELECTION DAY: Tuesday, February 2, 2010.

Note: Starting with this election, voters do NOT have to specify a reason for requesting an absentee ballot. Absentee voting is available for everyone.

The 2009 Democratic Fall Dinner will be served Sunday evening, October 11, 2009 at the I-Hotel and Conference Center on St. Mary’s Road at the corner of First Street in Champaign.

US Senate candidate David Hoffman and Congressional Candidate (15th) David Gill will discuss federal issues in the 2010 election.

We are honored to welcome Governor Pat Quinn and State Comptroller Dan Hynes as featured speakers. They both seek nomination in the February 2, 2010 Primary Election as our candidate for Governor next Fall.

State Representatives Art Turner (9th) and Mike Boland (71st), State Senator (30th) Terry Link, and union electrician Thomas Castillo, candidates for Lieutenant Governor, will also address us.

Former State Representative (38th) Robin Kelly and former TSA offical Justin Oberman will speak in support of their candidacies for State Treasurer.

Former Deputy State Treasurer Raja Krishnamoorthi will speak as candidate for State Comptroller.

Also scheduled to join us are State Senator (52nd) Michael Frerichs, State Representative (103rd) Naomi Jakobsson, and State Rep Candidate (110th) Dennis Malak. These candidates are not opposed in the Primary Election.

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet and hear these candidates in person in the good company of your fellow Democrats!

Check this post occasionally for the latest speaker information, and use it to invite your friends and associates to participate.

Follow this link to obtain a copy of our Fall Dinner Flier and Reservation Form for your use. See you at dinner!

When: Noon Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009.
Where: Large Pavilion at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana.

Meat, soft drinks, and table service will be provided. Please bring a dish to share. Donations are welcome.

Volunteers are needed to set up, serve, and clean up. Please contact picnic chair Dorothy Neumann at neumando3530@yahoo.com or 344-1427 if you can help.

Mahomet will hold its annual River Festival and Parade this weekend (August 28-29, 2009). There will be entertainment and activities starting Friday afternoon on Main Street, and the Champaign County Democrats will have a booth along with the Sangamon Valley Alliance. Come, visit and listen to the great lineup of bands that will be playing both Friday and Saturday.

The Parade kicks off at 10:30 am at the Lincoln Trail School lot on the corner of State and Division, and there will be a float for the Democrats and the SVA. Meet up with us after 10 am Saturday and hop on the float for a ride through Mahomet!  The event is well attended and for all you early candidates this is a good time to get in front of the western Champaign County crowd.

The County Fair is underway and we have a tent on the midway for Democrats to visit, get informed and rest up from all the rides and food at the fair. If you would like to visit or even better volunteer for a time or two, contact Sandra Hansen: 217-469-2418, or <shansen1@sbcglobal.net who is available to slot you into a shift at the tent. Sandra is best reached by phone in the evenings so give her a call.  It is lots of fun, you meet many folks and do not forget Democrat Day is July 28th . The fair runs from Friday July 24th to Saturday August 1st.

Special Events: Tuesday July 28 is the Fair’s “Democrat Day”, with Harness Racing on the half mile, when our candidates are introduced to the crowd at 12:30 and/or 7 pm. New this year, we are declaring Wednesday, July 29 as “Senior Democrat Day”, when seniors (age 60+) get free gate admission to the fair until 4pm, and Democratic seniors are invited to congregate at our tent.

Also new this year, the fairgrounds will be open to the public for lunch until 1 pm on weekdays.

See you at the fair!

The summer is here and parade season marches in with all the fanfare and floats one could ask for. The Champaign County Democrats will march in four parades celebrating Independence Day, 2009. All Democrats need to get their shoes laced and their wave perfected, it’s all in the wrist by the way, and come on out to walk and show your support.

Parade times below are start times; arrive a half hour early to help set up. Wear or display your favorite Democratic (past, present, or future) candidate’s regalia!

GIFFORD: Saturday, June 27, 2:00 pm, south side of town. (DONE)

RANTOUL: Saturday, July 4, 10:00 am, Maple Grove Shopping Center, #22. (DONE)

URBANA: Saturday, July 4, 1:00 pm, Illinois Street & Lincoln Ave, #83. (CANCELLED)

HOMER: POSTPONED to 6:00 pm SUNDAY, July 5th, Grade School on First Street.

Please come out and enjoy! Who can resist showing party unity and strength in what looks to be the beginning of a very interesting primary season.

Democratic County Chairs in the 15th Congressional District received the following announcement this morning (6/3/2009) from David Gill.

After a great deal of thought, I have decided to run once again for our 15th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. While I failed to win the seat in 2004 and 2006, I made a great deal of progress, with the help of many people throughout the district. I relocated to McLean County in 2007, and I am very excited about the prospects of victory in 2010.

Dr. Gill has been considering this for some time, and has been working to develop a strategy for victory in 2010. All “Friends of Gill” can reach him at docgill37@yahoo.com.

Petitions for David Gill will generally be available for signature at all Champaign County Democratic events this fall, such as the Urbana Farmers Market each Saturday morning.

See and listen to Dr. Gill in clips from his earlier campaign. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vduwg9PkmY0