On January 17, 2009, a grassroots meeting was held with citizens from the West Deerfield Township cities of Bannockburn, Deerfield, Highland Park and Lake Forest to discuss the current state of the township government (for more information on township government, click HERE).
These individuals represented the three major political groups (Republicans, Democrats, and Independents) and came from either Christian, Jewish, or non-aligned backgrounds. What followed was nothing less than the birth of an independent party for West Deerfield Township.
Appropriately called “The West Deerfield Township Independent Party” (WDTIP), the founding members began the process of obtaining registered voter signatures to place the Party on the April 7, 2009 Consolidated Election ballot.
The response from the voters was electrifying!
While gathering signatures at the Deerfield Metra station, there were several occasions where interested voters waited in line to sign the petition. Interestingly, well wishers surpassed the nay sayers by significantly wide margins.
While gathering signatures from the 70 homes in unincorporated Del Mar Woods, only six homes opted out.
Similar responses were found when “walking” through other residential neighborhoods in the Township.
Once the Party obtained enough signatures and was placed on the ballot, their next goal was to finalize their platform, introduce themselves to the public, and work towards getting at least one of their seven candidates elected.
Amazingly, after only 80 days since these strangers met and formed the Party, three of their candidates garnered between 37% to 44% of the vote for the three top positions. This incredible showing was a distinct display of voter contempt for the incumbents. Added to that accomplishment, another member won a crucial Trustee position while three others came within a few points of winning the remaining Trustee positions!
The Independent Party was successful beyond the incumbents’ worse nightmares. And now they intend to show the world that “better government” does not have to be an oxymoron!
