HIGHLAND | Lake County Democratic Chairman Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said he and party leaders have agreed to abolish mandatory contributions by government employees to party coffers.

"We are throwing off the shackles of old-time politics. Our first resolution is to eliminate 2 percent clubs from the Lake County Democratic Party," McDermott said Thursday.

He said the party's new 60-member governing board met Wednesday night for the first time at the Wicker Park banquet hall to set new policy for the party McDermott took over March 7 when he was elected county chairman.

McDermott said the board, consisting of elected officials and Democratic community leaders and committeemen, unanimously agreed to abolish the practice of making employees of Democratic officeholders kick back 2 percent of their income to the party and officials.

"There were active 2 percent clubs going on, although I don't want to name names, but they should not be a part of Democratic politics anymore," McDermott said.

He said the board also agreed to automatically support incumbent officeholders for re-election to the same office. "That can be taken away by two thirds of the governing board if the official gets indicted or otherwise embarrasses the party," McDermott said.

He said the board also agreed to require all Democrats who want to run for future offices to pay a membership fee to support the party organization if they want lists of Democratic activists for purposes of soliciting votes and campaign funds.

County Surveyor George Van Til, who briefly challenged McDermott for the chairmanship, said he abolished his office's 2 percent club many years ago. He said he wasn't invited to the board meeting but wishes McDermott's initiatives well. "Good intentions are good," he said.

County Sheriff Rogelio "Roy" Dominguez said he wasn't invited either but supports the moves, saying, "They sound like progressive politics."

He said he banned 2 percent donations when he took office six years ago.