Salaries of Cook County Elected Officials:

While LWVCC  was not successful in their advocacy efforts to defeat the ordinance ensuring perpetual, automatic annual cost of living increases for County Officials there now is a proposed ordinance that will require an independent review of salaries prior to any vote for an increase.

The Ordinance (Agenda Item 22-3931) calls for an independent review of County Elected Officials salaries to be presented to the Cook County Board by the end of the 2^nd full year of their 4-year terms. Any action to adjust salaries is to be taken by the end of the following March – to be effective at the start of the next 4-year term. This provides a vehicle for review by the Commissioners and the public of whether any proposed salary adjustments are appropriate. Also, this will give potential candidates sufficient prior notice of what the salaries will be.

LWVCC supports this proposed ordinance and encourages you to contact your Commissioner to urge that they vote “yes” for Agenda Item 22-3931 at the Finance Committee on September 21 and at the Board meeting on September 22.

Filling Vacancies in County Elected Positions: 

Currently, when vacancies occur for elected County officials, an interim person is appointed by either the Cook County Board or the applicable township and ward committee people. The appointed person will serve out the remaining term no matter how long it is. This has resulted in appointed officials serving up to 4 years without the voters having a say.

Two proposed ordinances (Agenda Items 22-4661 and 22-4462) could change the present procedure to provide for an election when the remaining term is more than 28 months. This change would be consistent with what current State law provides for vacancies in State Senate seats and with what a current Cook County ordinance provides for a vacancy in the position of Cook County President. LWVCC suggested this proposed change to the Commissioners.

LWVCC encourages you to contact your Commissioner to urge that they vote “yes” for Agenda Items 22-4661 (pertaining to Commissioner positions) and 22-4662 (pertaining to other County elected positions) at the Legislation & Intergovernmental Relations Committee, expected in September, and then the following Board meeting.

To find your Commissioner's contact information go to our website Contact page.

Support the Forest Preserves

Cook County Forest Preserve Referendum

Cook County Forest Preserve VOTE YES referendum is on the November ballot—voters will have the opportunity to vote YES to protect clean water sources, air quality, and wildlife in Cook County. A property tax increase of 0.025% (less than $1.66/month for the vast majority of homeowners) will protect, restore, and expand the Cook County Forest Preserves.

Information is available on the Vote Yes website.

www.voteyesforestpreserves.org/  

Directions and specific information for the walk will be provided when you register. 

To Register: send an email to [email protected]

Include your name, phone number, and Local League and indicate which Walk you want to register for 

Registration Deadline - 2 days prior to each walk

Voter Information

MWRD & Cook County Winners of June Primary

View the Results of the primary election races for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and Cook County positions.. There you will also see the names of the other candidates who appeared on the individual party ballots. 

The final list of candidates for these offices who will be on the November 8 ballot should be posted on the LWVCC web site in September. Under Illinois law, if no candidates for a political party ran in the primary for a particular office, that party is allowed to submit the name of a candidate for that office to be on the November ballot. The Cook County Republican Party did submit names of candidates for multiple county offices. Some of those candidates are facing challenges, and electoral board hearings to deal with those challenges are scheduled this month. See the Cook County Clerk' s website for more detail.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District

Help Managing Storm Water 

Applications available for MWRD assistance to help manage storm water

Now through Labor Day, municipalities and public agencies are urged to apply for funding assistance from the MWRD to support local green infrastructure projects that mitigate flooding, protect area water quality and enhance public spaces. Green infrastructure uses natural processes such as infiltration, evaporation, and transpiration in managing storm water to prevent or reduce the flow of water from entering sewer systems. For more information, including program guidelines, partnership responsibilities and eligibility requirements, visit the  MWRD Website.  Applications are due by Sept. 5.

Pretrial Fairness Act

Thursday, September 8

12:30–1:30 pm Register to attend.

The  Pretrial Fairness Act ends money bail in Illinois on January 1, 2023. Join LWVIL to learn about how pretrial justice reform can contribute to increased community stability and safety. Hear from those in the field what the state needs to do for successful implementation of this law.

This event is open to the public. Registration closes 24 hours prior to the event. The event link will be sent a day in advance and one hour before the event.

2022-2023 Cook County League Board Members 

OFFICERS: President: Cynthia Schilsky, LaGrange Area; Vice-Presidents: Pris Mims, Chicago, Kathi Graffam, LaGrange Area; Secretary: Carolyn Cosentino, Homewood/Flossmoor; Treasurer: Nancy Clark, Oak Park/River Forest.

Board members: Laura Davis, Palatine; Diane Edmundson, Chicago; Jan Goldberg, LaGrange Area ; Georgia Gebhardt, Wilmette; Betty Hayford, Evanston; Karin Hribar, Arlington Heights

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, political organization whose mission is to encourage informed and active participation in government; to increase understanding of major policy issues, and to influence public policy through education and advocacy. Membership in the League is open to anyone regardless of gender, race, or ethnic group.

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League of Women Voters of Cook County

332 S. Michigan Ave. Suite 634, Chicago, IL 60604

312-939-5935 x127

lwvcookcounty.org