Waukegan (June 4, 2011)–A week after earning former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean’s endorsement, the Ilya Sheyman campaign for Congress in Illinois’ 10th District held a grand opening celebration for its headquarters in north suburban Waukegan on Saturday.

As a crowd of some 60 supporters and local leaders gathered behind him on Waukegan’s main drag of Genesee Street, Ilya Sheyman cut the ribbon outside the office, which, he said, would be used for meetings and volunteer activities.

“This office will be the first of many places around the district where volunteers can come in to meet members of our community, and to find resources with which to get involved in our campaign,” Sheyman said. “Now that we know the boundaries of the new 10th District, we are ready to hit the pavement and start talking with voters about the core tenets of this campaign–rebuilding the middle class and fighting for the American Dream. This office will serve as a home base in that effort.”

Ilya Sheyman, the former National Mobilization Director at progressive advocacy organization MoveOn.org, was the first candidate in the 10th District to launch his 2012 campaign in late April. Sheyman is aiming to pick up the 10th District seat currently held by Representative Robert Dold (IL-R) of Kenilworth.

“I got into this race because I still believe in a simple idea: that politics and government are about doing good for people: helping every man, woman and child with a dream, and the willingness to work for it, achieve his or her full potential,” Sheyman said.

The grand opening celebration also included lunch which gave attendees the opportunity to discuss Sheyman’s candidacy.

Waukegan resident Mary Clare Jakes said she was “excited to have someone who is enthusiastic working for the 10th District. It gives me hope. I think that is important.”