DuPage Greens Gather for Historic Meeting as Central Committee is Formed

Contact: Steve Alesch, Co-Chair
DuPage County Green Party
630-779-8295
steve.alesch@votesteve.org

Patrick Kelly, Media Coordinator
Illinois Green Party
773-203-9631
media@ilgp.org

For Immediate Release

The DuPage County Green Party Central Committee held its inaugural meeting Thursday, July 12, 2007, marking a shift in the 2008 electoral landscape. The Central Committee, made up of precinct committeepeople
who are chosen by voters or appointed by the party, is responsible for slating for replacing candidates and coordinating electoral activities. The first order of business was electing officers.

William A. Edgar III of Wheaton was unanimously elected Central Committee Chair and Sarah Milone of Lombard was unanimously elected Central Committee Secretary.

"This is a historic day in DuPage County. The Green Party, with a balanced belief in the founding fathers traditional values, and a sensible and practical approach to the complex social and economic challenges of the 21st century, is in a position to attract disaffected voters from the current ineffective parties and energize itself with newly registered voters." said Edgar, who is exploring a 2008 bid for DuPage County Board, District 4. "It's reassuring to know that on next year's ballot, voters will have a choice in many races."

The Central Committee is the backbone of a local political organization. Though their formal responsibilities are very few, committeepeople traditionally take on responsibilities like coordinating local volunteers, registering voters and serving as local Green Party contacts.

The nominees for precinct committeepeople were submitted to the DuPage County Board of Elections last month by Rich Whitney, the 2006 Green Party candidate for governor who earned more than 10% of the vote
statewide. In Illinois, political parties must earn 5% of the vote in a district to form a "committee," whose members represent the voters on candidate slating decisions. Prior to the 2006 election, the Green
Party had no established precincts in DuPage County; now, every precinct in the county is considered to be established.

"The enthusiasm for the Green Party is growing. We've had a number of inquiries into the precinct committeeperson role. People see it as a worthwhile way to get involved and make a contribution to the future
of the party," said Steve Alesch of Warrenville, co-chair of the DuPage Greens, who is exploring a 2008 candidacy for 13th Congressional District.

For more information about the DuPage County Greens visit www.dupagegreens.org. For more information about the Steve Alesch for Congress campaign, visit www.votesteve.org.

Initial Precinct Committeepeople:

- Steve Alesch - Winfield Township, 2nd Precinct
- Mary Edgar - Milton Township, 3rd Precinct
- William Edgar - Milton Township, 28th Precinct
- Sarah Milone - Milton Township, 53rd Precinct
- Jill Versace - Naperville Township, 10th Precinct
- Virginia Wisdom - Lisle Township, 39th Precinct