We're more than a third of the way through our fundraising to honor Pat Botterman's legacy and more than a third toward our goal -- right on track.

If you haven't already, please donate what you can.

As if you needed a reminder of Pat's impact on our little neck of the woods, check out the impromptu eulogies left at Capitol Fax when Rich Miller reported on his death... A lot of heartfelt mourning, for good reason, from Dems, Republicans, family and friends.

I introduced the Wheeling Township Dems Donor Drive online yesterday as a way to honor my friend and well-known Illinois Dem "operative" Pat Botterman.

Wow, one day down and only 9 to go and already the Wheeling Dems Donor Drive is off to a great start. That, of course, is thanks in no small part to the wonderful help of local activist and Botterman Alum Aaron Krager over at Faithfully Liberal who set up a goal of $250 over the next ten days.

In 10 days, the Wheeling and Palatine Township Democrats will be hosting a joint fundraiser (PDF) to help cover costs for keeping the only Democratic office in the northwest suburbs up and running.

The Wheeling Dems in particular will also be awarding the First Annual Pat Botterman Leadership Award to honor the legacy of the late, great Wheeling Township Committeman who died suddenly on March 10th.

Over the next 10 days, leading up to the brunch fundraiser, I'll be asking folks to help out the Wheeling Dems with a wee bit of a virtual fundraiser.

Illinois Democrats were dealt some heartbreaking news yesterday as the death of longtime Democratic faithful, Patrick Botterman's was announced.