Talk of the Town

On March 22, the date of Illinois’s open primary elections, Moog didn’t have one specific duty, but more of a general task: make sure things run smoothly. Moog is expected to supervise all election judges in her ward, so she helped recruit them, and made sure they were trained well. This morning she had to make sure that they all showed up and did their jobs right. She would also troubleshoot for problems from missing employees, to angry protesters.

Moog’s main jobs as 43rd Ward Committeeman of Chicago, which stretches from Depaul University to Lake Shore Drive, are overseeing local phone banking, holding town hall meetings, and communicating with local politicians to help advance her issues.

Another vital part of her job is helping people, mostly Democrats, get involved in politics and the voting process, by reaching out to people to help them get involved in political campaigns, inviting them to different events, and recruiting young people to become election judges.

In the midst of all the polling places she had to check in with, Moog received a call about a polling place that didn’t have enough election judges, and drove to one at 701 West Armitage, which had more than enough. Moog resolved this after exchanging a tense but thoughtful conversation, and left after giving out candy to the jubilant employees there, who had been working there since the early morning.

Walking past political signs sprawled on the grass in front of the building, Moog jumped back in her car, enroute to the next polling place just minutes away.

“It was the perfect position,” Moog said. “As far as it’s not a legislative position — it’s a position of activism, turning out the democratic voters, getting people engaged in the community, and it just felt totally right.” It’s just a way to help people plug into the political system and make connections.”

Moog reflected on her thoughts on Parker’s political activism. “Andy Bigelow and Jeanne Barr are rockstars at teaching,” Moog said, “and giving kids ideas and opportunities to engage.  The school needs to do much better job at community engagement which is intimately connected to politics. When students see needs, they often engage politically for change.”

Moog is no stranger to political activism. After getting her start while a student at Parker, volunteering on Paul Simon’s senate campaign, she worked on and off on Capitol Hill [in Washington D.C] during college. Immediately after graduating from Connecticut College in 1989, Moog moved to D.C to continue that work, becoming a legislative assistant to former Florida Congressman Larry Smith.

From there, her efforts on political campaigns continued, as she led community outreach efforts on four presidential campaigns and several gubernatorial and congressional races. Moog developed a set of key issues she works towards, which include getting more young people to learn and work in politics and helping women get involved in Illinois politics. She advocates for issues such as, the environment, being pro–choice, LGBTQ+ rights, universal healthcare, and education for all.

Angelica Chayes, an independent consultant and staunch volunteer in Chicago politics, finds Moog intense but pleasant. “She’s incredibly committed, passionate, knowledgeable, and involved,” Chayes said, “without ever being pushy, preachy, or aggressive.”

Moog lives with husband Matt Moog and three sons. The eldest, Max, is attending Colorado College, and junior Charlie Moog, and 8th grader Eli Moog, go to Parker. Moog met her husband while working in D.C.

The democratic politician has committed very strongly to certain Illinois democrats. On the morning of the open primary on March 22, Moog attended a meet and greet at Ann Sathers’ house with democratic candidate for Illinois governor J.B Pritzker, whom she has supported continuously through his campaign, up to his recent Democratic nomination for Governor. Moog has supported Pritzker by hanging up signs throughout local precincts and attending some of his events. Moog has been a friend of Pritzkers for most of her time as a committeeman.

Although she has described her love and passion for her job, she is not immune to the pressures and responsibilities of being a public official. Primaries are a tough part of the job, especially when you may have close friends and collaborators who support different candidates, and you have work for your own candidates with all of that in mind. She explained how after being elected to her position in 2016, she feels that she has put herself out there a lot, and that that being a public official gives her a fair amount of scrutiny and pressure.

Moog has developed relationships and connections with many different politicians along her political journey. Some of the most significant ones to her, are Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, State Representative Sara Feigenholtz, congressional candidates Marie Newman and Sol Flores, and New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, whom she considers a mentor and role model. Moog met Gillibrand through high school friends when they were in their late teens, and Moog considers her a brilliant and tireless worker.

Moog’s husband, CEO of PowerReviews, a platform to increase product ratings and reviews, site traffic and conversion, reflected on how Lucy brings her work into the home in very positive ways. “Lucy is a fresh and independent voice who brings a new perspective rooted in a lifetime of caring about Chicago and issues that matter,” Moog said. “She cares deeply about people, loves politics, and is able to bring her wide network to bear for the benefit of the 43rd ward.”

Moog believes Parker helped solidify some of the values she has in her today. “Parker really helps kids question, discuss, and ask the hard question,” said Moog. “One of their missions is to create citizens who are productive in their community and want to make it a place better than they found it.”

State Representative Sara Feigenholtz explained her thoughts on Lucy Moog. “Lucy has an incredible “can do” attitude. I respect her hard work ethic, her energy and enthusiasm, and her ability to organize.”  she has the ability to get people off the sidelines and engaged in our democracy.”

As mentioned, Moog’s continuously hard work stems from years of volunteering and organizing. “It’s always about building communities,” Chayes said, “keeping people informed, active, and involved, and in a way that’s really fun. She puts the party in the Democratic Party.”