Sunday, May 3, 2026
​Chevy Chase Country Club
1000 N. Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL
Doors open 10:00am — Breakfast at 10:30am

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Tickets & Sponsorships

Individual Patriot — $50
Bronze Sponsor — $250
Silver Sponsor — $500
Gold Sponsor — $1000
Platinum Sponsor — $2500

2026 Honorees

​Mark Michaels
​2026 Patrick S. Botterman Leadership Award

Mark Walker
2026 ​Wheeling Township Democratic Organization Legacy Award

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2026 Keynote Speakers

Juliana Stratton
Illinois Lt. Governor
​Illinois Democratic Candidate, US Senate

Aisha Davis
Senior Policy Counsel
ACLU Illinois

Daniel Biss
Mayor, City of Evanston
Democratic Candidate, IL-09 Congressional District

About Patrick S. Botterman...

Each year the Wheeling Township Democrats recognize an individual who has demonstrated the qualities of leadership and commitment that defined Patrick Botterman. 

Pat Botterman began volunteering with the Wheeling Township Democratic Organization in high school, and went on to serve as Committeeperson for 17 years. During his tenure, Pat built the Democratic base in the Northwest suburbs while at the same time counseling and managing campaigns throughout Illinois. As a result, he mentored scores of campaign workers and candidates in the fine art of grassroots organization and political strategy. Pat made the Democratic Party a prominent political force in the Chicago suburbs.

Each year we look to honor a leader who lives their values and illuminates the power of grassroots activism.

Patrick S. Botterman
1964 - 2008

Previous Botterman Leadership Award Honorees

2025 — Dawn Frenzel
2024 — The Pinta Pride Project
2023 — Kathleen Sances
2022 — Patrick Watson
2019 — Hannah Hyman
2018 — Cassie Wagner
2017 — Ben Head
2016 — Carl Camacho
2015 — Alex Armour
2014 — Bridget Gray
2013 — Ram Villivalam
2012 — Rob Nesvacil
2011 — Brian Koppe
2010 — Scott Cizek
2009 — Patrick Corcoran
2008 — Kelly Friskics and Chet Farley

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Scenes from 2025 Botterman Leadership Award Breakfast