ABT-Elmhurst Hosts U.S. Representative Mike Quigley

Elmhurst, IL – U.S. Representative Mike Quigley addressed citizens from Elmhurst and surrounding areas Monday night, April 24, at an Action for a Better Tomorrow-Elmhurst event. ABT-Elmhurst is a 750-member local chapter of Action for a Better Tomorrow, an Illinois progressive political advocacy group working to improve policy on the local, state and federal level.

In Congress, Rep. Quigley is helping lead the investigation into Russia, as part of his service on the House Intelligence Committee. In addition to leadership on national security, he also serves as Vice Chair of both the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition and the LGBT Equality Caucus, where he is focusing on protecting natural resources and human rights from the Trump Administration’s dangerous agenda. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions concerning many of those issues, as well as to share their concerns on Medicare and the Affordable Care Act, the opioid epidemic, and the MAR-A-LAGO Act that Quigley introduced to increase government transparency where President Trump conducts official business.

A graduate of Glenbard North High School, Quigley recounted those that influenced his career, emphasizing that local involvement – from the PTA to community-based organizations – is the way to get things done. Local politics are important and have big impacts, and he reminded everyone that he once “knew a Senator that became President.”

Attendees enjoyed stories about Rep. Quigley’s personal relationship with former President Barack Obama, and humorous accounts from his 2015 trip to the G7 Summit on Air Force One.

Rep. Quigley encouraged a high school student in attendance to learn about civics and “be informed and involved” – that could mean joining a committee, engaging in a non-profit, or picking a political campaign and volunteering. “To the 18 year-old, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t change the world. You can.”

ABT-Elmhurst hosts monthly meetings on a variety of issues, from the environment, women’s rights, healthcare, civil liberties, immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, education and more. Previous speakers include: Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council; Greg Bales, the community outreach coordinator for Senator Dick Durbin; and Jane Lombardi, director of Citizenship and Immigration Services at Erie Neighborhood House.

For more information, contact Action for a Better Tomorrow-Elmhurst at elmhurstabt@gmail.com.

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Action for a Better Tomorrow (ABT) is an Illinois-based nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy group working to improve policy on the local, state, and federal level. We were created in the aftermath of the 2016 election and have grown rapidly as citizens have been inspired to become more involved civically and politically. Our programming focuses on issue advocacy and training in policy, the political process, and more. ABT has over 35,000 members and chapters in every district in Illinois. Our members are highly engaged: they make calls, write letters to the editor, share their policy views on social media, and attend town halls and meetings. You can learn more about us at actionforabettertomorrow.org.