Participants in the annual Democratic Party cookout say it’s not easy being blue in Adams County, but think swing voters are beginning to lean their way
QUINCY–Illinois Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez continued her listening tour of the state Thursday, attending the Adams County Democratic Party’s annual cookout at the Machinists Lodge #822, 2929 N. Fifth Street.
Now in her second term in her party’s leadership role, Hernandez said a community’s “redness” or Republican majority has never stopped a Democrat before.
“I have really committed myself to making a Democratic presence across the state,” Hernandez told Muddy River News before making her formal remarks at the dinner. “I really try to provide the resources necessary to elect Democrats from the local to the federal level. And I think we’ve been doing pretty good.”
Hernandez, who represents the Chicago area in the Illinois House of Representatives, said she inherited “pretty much a shell of a party” when elected chair in July 2022.
“We had a lot of work to do, and here I am,” she said. “Owning up to my word of making a presence. Especially in the ‘red sea’ of Illinois and frankly, I’m here to support my central state committee woman, Kate Daniels, on the great work she’s doing and trying to maintain. She is a trouper. I am here to support her and all others. We’re in the fight and we’re not going to give up.”
Her visit on Thursday evening to Adams County followed a tough week for some of her colleagues: State Rep. Harry Benton of Plainfield resigned amid an ethics investigation, and State Rep. Carol Ammons of Urbana, who was indicted for an alleged scheme to take kickbacks and misuse of campaign money.
“Obviously, it’s difficult to see that,” Hernandez said. “Especially in the times we’re living in. We are fighting a fight right now, that when it comes to the people getting the short end of the stick, is where we have to change things.”
She quickly pivoted to touting the strides she believes the state has made to ensure that affordability is recognized.
In fact, the chosen theme of the event was affordability.
Hernandez says a key accomplishment that will serve Illinois Democrats well in upcoming elections is balancing the budget.
“I’ve been in office for some time, and I can say the struggle to balance our budget is no joke,” she said. “We really spiraled down under (Bruce) Rauner’s leadership. The state was in trouble. And, in trying to make up for that, I think JB (Pritzker) has done a good job of doing that.”
Republicans voted against the plan, criticizing the budget as the largest in state history and arguing that the new taxes and increased spending create too much of a burden on working families.
MRN interviewed Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey on his recent visit to Quincy, where he discussed the budget. You can watch that interview by clicking here.
Hernandez said state lawmakers have also had to act in the wake of federal legislation and policies that have “suffocated and hurt our everyday person.”
“With the triggers from the federal level trickling down to the state, we’ve managed to maintain for those who are going to get kicked off of SNAP (food assistance). Food security is extremely important, and we did something about that.
“We’ve tried to maintain those gas price costs from really rising by putting a fuel tax pause. Those things help the everyday person just get through the day.”
Party faithful hope for momentum, and some even say presidential impeachment
As Maggie O’Donnell, of Fowler, and Becky Short, of Ursa, looked around at the cookout crowd, they admitted they wished there were more young people.
“We’re excited, hopeful and scared,” O’Donnell said. “We need to stay together and stand strong and see what we can do.”
“It would be awful if we couldn’t keep going and things and just fizzled out with this crazy administration,” Short added.
Kevin Kuehl of Quincy says he retired now and has no idea how young people can take on a mortgage.
“Those who are working now and just coming up, boy, I just hope they realize what’s at stake,” Kuehl said. “We need to get back on the road of being a beacon for the rest of the world.”
Kuehl says the immediate strategy should be gaining a congressional majority to remove President Trump from office.
He’s hopeful swing states such as Maine, Georgia, Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin will swing predominantly blue.
“If we get enough Democrats in office, they should start impeachment proceedings right away.”
Kuehl thinks as more people feel the pain in their pocketbook, that’s when the tide will turn.
“It’s too bad it has to go to that. But I think there’s enough change in enough places.”
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July 17, 2026 at 12:06PM
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