U.S. Representatives Jasmine Crockett and Lauren Underwood joined local organizers at the Alliance for Civic Engagement’s (ACE) third annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity Brunch to issue an urgent plea for sustained voter participation.
The annual banquet this year held at the Abbington Banquets in Glen Ellyn brought together over 200 community members, political leaders, and cultural performers for a program focused on boosting public participation in the democratic process.
In a stirring keynote address, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett pushed back against voter apathy and the tendency for citizens to only participate during major presidential election cycles.
and Sheldon Watts
“This is a marathon,” Crockett told the audience. “You can’t just show up to the marathon and think somehow you are going to be able to make it through.”
Crockett urged attendees to stay informed and consistently take part in smaller municipal and county elections, stressing that local races carry the most direct impact on daily life.
A core pillar of the brunch was honoring community advocates who embody the grassroots change ACE strives to inspire. The organization presented three major awards during the ceremony:
- Bobbie Holston-Kittling received the Community Impact Award for dedication to local service.
- Caleb Wallace was named the Youth Trailblazer for inspiring younger generations to organize.
- Sergeant Starr Pirela accepted the Excellence in Public Safety Award for outstanding community protection.
The ceremony also incorporated cultural unity through live musical and comedic acts, which drew enthusiastic responses from the crowded banquet hall.
Closing out the program, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood challenged attendees to bridge the gap between community members and federal lawmakers by demanding direct communication.
“Please call us — we don’t hear from you enough,” Underwood said. “Come into our offices and talk about how these decisions impact our community.”
Organizers concluded the event by reminding the public that achieving long-term, meaningful social change requires voters to remain informed, collaborative, and actively engaged well beyond Election Day.
