Residents of the northwest suburbs held a rally Tuesday in Palatine to protest the policies of Bruce Rauner, Republican candidate for Governor. The rally was held outside the Cotillion Ballroom, where Republicans were holding a fundraising event at which Rauner was the featured speaker.

“Minimum wage workers can’t support themselves and their families without food stamps and other government assistance,” said  Nancy Shepherdson of Deer Park. “But Rauner has said he wants to lower Illinois’ minimum wage.”

“Rauner’s policies would benefit the most fortunate people in our state at the expense of working families, “ said Joe Gump of Palatine. “He would cut taxes on millionaires and billionaires while cutting services to people in need. And he has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to groups that support privatizing Social Security.

President Obama's announcement that the EPA will require power plants to reduce carbon emissions by 30% may prove to be the most important thing he has done. Cynical pundits say this will hurt Democrats in November, but the consensus of scientists is that we must start dealing with man-made climate change now. President Obama is the rare politician who does what's right, not what's popular. He has guided the country through the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, ended the Iraq War and wound down the war in Afghanistan, accomplished reform of  the health care system, and now taken decisive action on climate change. In contrast, Republicans have obstructed progress and offered no realistic solutions to the important problems facing our country. The American people understand this.

The Palatine Township Democratic Organization has changed its name to "Greater Palatine Area Democrats." Matt Flamm, who was elected Committeeman in the March 18th primary, explained the name change. "Our old name may have made people think we were only interested in Palatine Township elections. We're active in everything from Presidential elections to local park districts, school boards, municipal and state elections. We welcome Democrats who live in Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Hoffman Estates, and the other communities that include parts of Palatine Township." For more information, call (847)454-0134 or email [email protected].