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Mayor Getty showcases “unity” in contrast to “deeply polarized” nation
Lyons Mayor Chris Getty on Saturday, October 25th welcomed more than 500 people to a fundraiser and rally for the United Citizens Party, showcasing the community’s unity in contrast to the deep divisions of the nation’s political polarization.
This is the 15th year of the breakfast event and the fourth year hosted at the La Grange Country Club. Supporters and local politico’s gathered throughout the second floor with the program in the grand ballroom. The event celebrated the party’s successes and many improvements highlighted in Lyons Township, where Getty also serves as Supervisor.
Getty proudly acknowledged the candidates running in the March 17, 2026 Democratic Primary election who attended the event, noting they reflect the party’s ability to “come together locally” for the benefit of homeowners, families and taxpayers.
“As many of you know, our country is going through a challenging moment. The federal government has been shut down now for one of the longest government shutdowns in US history. It’s a situation that affects millions of Americans. It doesn’t matter what side of the aisle you stand on politically. It’s frustrating to see a work stoppage and gridlock in our nation’s capital,” Getty told the packed event.
“But here at the local level, here in Lyons Township, in the Village of Lyons, and our surrounding communities, things are different. I’m proud to say we continue to work. We continue to provide services every single day. We don’t let political differences stand in the way of serving our residents, our property owners, and our business owners.”
Getty said unity in the region reflects the strength of the party and the ability of local officials, like in Lyons Township, to deliver on services and to address challenges successfully.
“We collaborate, we problem solve, and we work to keep moving forward and keep getting the job done. United Citizens Party, our local organization, we started many years ago, this is what it’s all about. It’s about bringing people together. Because our strength doesn’t come from any one individual. Our strength comes from partnerships,” Getty said.
“It comes from unity, from respect, and from a shared vision and a shared commitment to doing what’s right for the people all the time. Abraham Lincoln once said, a house divided against itself cannot stand. And those words are as true today as they were over one hundred and fifty years ago. Division only weakens us. But unity and collaboration makes us stronger. In Lyons and across Lyons Township, we’ve proven that government can work, and it can work well.”
Also speaking at the event were: Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who is running to succeed retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin; Patrick Hynes, the Lyons Township Assessor who is the Democratic Party endorsed candidate for Cook County Assessor challenging controversial incumbent Fritz Kaegi; and, Holly Kim, the Lake County Treasurer who is running for the office of Illinois Comptroller to succeed Susana Mendoza who is retiring from office.
Krishnamoorthi shared a story about his name, that drew a laugh from the audience.
“It’s an honor to be with you. It’s an honor to be any place they can pronounce my name right. This is a true story. When I first ran for office in Illinois, I said, hi, my name is Raja Krishnamoorthi. And the person in Chicago looking back at me said, ‘Roger Christian Murphy? Very nice to meet you.’ And I said, I didn’t know the Irish made it to India,” Krishnamoorthi said.
Hynes, who previously worked in the Cook County Assessor’s office before coming to Lyons Township, said that during his public service as Township Assessor, the township has returned more than $14 million to local taxpayers.
“We have property taxes in Cook County that are far too high. We have property taxes in Cook County that are completely unpredictable. And we have spikes in your assessment that don’t make any sense and like you, I have had enough of it,” Hynes said, noting the enthusiasm for his candidacy has been very encouraging.
“I’m very appreciative of a lot of the people that are in this room who’ve been working hard to help us get on the ballot. There’s a lot of folks in here that have circulated petitions for us. And Monday, we are going to file our petitions, over 45,000 of them. It looks like a giant stack. It looks incredibly heavy. I want to say thank you.”
Kim, the mother of three children, noted she comes from a long line of public servants whose commitment has always been “to give back to the community.”
Getty also acknowledged other guests including 8th District House candidate Shantel Franklin, Orland Township Democratic Committeewoman and MWRD candidate Beth McElroy Kirkwood, officials of the Village of Lyons, Lyons Township and also regional elected officials including Bridgeview Mayor & Lyons Township Committeeman Steve Landek, Hodgkins Mayor Ernest Millsap, McCook Mayor Terry Carr, Willow Springs President Melissa Neddermeyer, Summit Mayor Sergio Rodriguez, La Grange Mayor Mark Kuchler, Countryside Mayor Sean McDermott, and Judges Jesse Reyes, Mike Carbonargi, Koula Fournier, Mike Chvatal, Ava George Stewart, and Steve McKenzie.
The event emcee was public relations specialist Kevin Thomas.
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Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
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