Newsletter Highlights
Request Your Mail In Ballot for the March Primary
Observer Reports on Cook County $10B Budget
ICE Operations - What you can do
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We must support each other and empathize with each other because each of us is more alike than we are unalike.
Maya Angelou
| | March 17 2026 Primary Election Information | |
Vote by Mail Ballot Request Starts December 17
Registered voters can request a vote-by-mail ballot, if not already on the permanent vote-by-mail list.
Suburban Voters: Request Here
Chicago voters: Request Here
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Candidate Filing for County and MWRD Offices
View the current candidate list HERE
Continuously updated list is available on the County Clerk's Web Site
Contested Candidacies
- Objections have been filed to the candidacies of 13 Democrats and 2 Republicans.
- The Cook County Officer’s Electoral Board will hear objections to candidacies. Most of those objections are whether the nomination petitions of a candidate are legally valid.
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See the contested case list on the Clerk’s web site HERE.
- The cases should be finalized on or before January 8, which is the date the Illinois State Board of Elections is to certify all the ballots in Illinois.
- If the objections are found to be valid, the candidate can go to court to seek a reversal of the Electoral Board’s decision and, if successful, will be placed on the ballot.
See the LWVCC Voter Information Page for additional election news
| | ICE Operations in Cook County | |
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What you can do if you observe ICE agents or suspect ICE presence in Cook County
- Remain calm, safe and observant. If you see federal agents in the area, note time, location, number of agents, vehicle(s), license plates, demeanor — but do so without putting yourself or others at risk.
- Know your rights. Regardless of immigration status, you have rights when confronted by immigration agents. You do not have to answer questions about your status, you have the right to speak with a lawyer, and you have the right to refuse to open your door for ICE unless they present a valid judicial warrant.
- Contact rapid-response resources immediately. Call the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) at 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693). See their website for more information.
- Connect with legal aid: Support or donate to local immigration legal aid services.
- Contact elected officials: Urge your local and federal representatives to take action and oppose raids.
- Inform the media: Alert local news outlets about raids in your community.
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To make a report about missing, damaged, or obstructed license plates on ICE vehicles, call the Secretary of State’s Plate Watch Hotline at (312) 814-1730 or email platewatch@ilsos.gov.
League of Women Voters of the United States on Due Process
- As a nonpartisan, pro-democracy organization, the League is deeply alarmed by the ongoing ICE detentions, which too often fly in the face of due process and other fundamental rights.
- These actions undermine the democratic values of fairness, equal treatment under the law, and government transparency and accountability.
- The League supports due process for all persons, including the right to a fair hearing, right to counsel, right of appeal, and right to humane treatment.
League of Women Voters of the United States on the Value of Immigrants
- Immigrants are part of the fabric of our communities — they make our country strong.
- Immigrants are your neighbors, co-workers, and fellow community members.
- All immigrants in our country deserve due process and fair treatment.
- The League does not support deporting undocumented immigrants who have no history of major and/or violent criminal activity.
Also, see the LaGrange League Event on Dec 11 in the Local League Events Section below. The topic is ICE and border operations in our communities.
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LWVCC members observe and report on board and committee meetings of Cook County government entities to keep you informed.
To read more: LWVCC Observer Reports
| | | | Recent Observer Reports Highlights | | |
Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Thursday, September 9, 2025, 10:00 am Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, IL
The Board Heard Updates on the Brookfield Zoo Next Century Plan
- CEO of Brookfield Zoo, Dr. Mike Adkesson, presented highlights and successes from the past year, The Next Century Plan and vision for the future.
- Phase 1- Building of the Bramsen Tropical Forest and Natural Habitat which includes 4 outdoor primate habitats and indoor gorilla conservation center. This was their largest project to date, cost $66 million from private funding, was completed in 2 1⁄2 years, on budget and on time.
- Phase 2 - 35 acres will be developed into open savannah habitats for large African species including giraffes, zebra, and elephants. The Pacaderm building to be renovated along with spaces for African lions and hippos.
- Dr. Matt Allender from the Department of Conservation Medicine and Science at Brookfield Zoo, gave an update regarding the Illinois Zoological and Wildlife Health Management Residency Program in collaboration with University of Illinois. He noted a nationwide shortage of wildlife veterinarians and was proud of their first resident to finish the program who will stay on in Cook County (Dr. Winter). This was the first program in the nation to train new vets in free ranging wildlife.
| | LWVCC Interest Groups keep members informed about important activities of our local government. | |
Upcoming Meetings
All Local League members are invited to participate in these interest group meetings
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Budget & Structure Monday Dec. 8, 10 am via Zoom
Criminal Justice Tuesday, Nov. 18, 9 am via Zoom
Contact Jan Goldberg
Forest Preserve Wednesday, Dec. 3, 8:30 am via Zoom
Contact Lauramdavis90@gmail.com
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Budget and Structure Interest Group
We Learn, We Report, We Make a Difference
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Budget & Structure Members Observed the 2026 Cook County Budget Meetings
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The Cook County Board’s Finance Committee has completed its meetings to review each department’s proposed 2026 budget, the past year’s accomplishments, and the plans for the future. The full Observer Reports are available on the League’s WEB SITE.
Highlights from the reports:
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The Cook County Board President proposed a $10.01 Billion budget for 2026
- Out of the 100 largest U.S. cities, the State’s Attorney noted that Chicago is #80 on that list in terms of the amount of crime.
- Cook County Health is anticipating losing $400 M in revenues over the next 2 years as a result of changes to Medicaid coverage for patients served by CCH. Illinois has stopped covering Medicaid for immigrant adults under 65 (a loss of $111 M for 2026). The Federal government is implementing new requirements for redeterminations for eligibility in the beginning of 2027. The new requirements are expected to result in a reduction of people covered.
- The capital projects include a new Board Room that is expected to be read to turn over in December to the Secretary to the Board for testing of the equipment and training of the Commissioners on how to use it. Among other things, the Commissioners will now be able to vote electronically, as opposed to voice votes.
- One reason that civil orders of protection issued in domestic cases are not always served by the Sheriff’s Office is that officers are not able to enter homes without permission, so the person to be served can simply not answer the door.
- The Cook County Land Bank has placed over 2,400 formerly vacant properties back on the tax rolls, representing $7 M in property taxes collected on an annual basis and $34 M cumulatively since it began in 2014.
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The Secretary to the Board’s office includes a County Historic Archives and Records Office, and they are getting ready to assist in the bicentennial celebration of the County for its upcoming 200th anniversary in 2031.
Next steps in the budget process are the submission of amendments by the Commissioners, which will be reviewed by the Budget Department to ensure, if implemented, that the budget would remain balanced. The Finance Committee will then review and vote on the amendments on November 20, followed by a vote on the budget, as amended by the Cook County Board, also expected on November 20.
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MWRD unveils new “Flood Response Resource Guide”
The MWRD has released a first edition of the new “What to Do and Where to Get Help: Flood Response Resource Guide.”
The Guide provides practical steps for residents to follow before, during, and after a flood. It also lists key agencies, local resources, and contact information to help communities recover more quickly. This new tool is designed to make it easier for residents to find reliable information when they need it most. The Guide can be found at MWRD.org.
| | | Criminal Justice Interest Group | | |
- News from Springfield: The Clean Slate Bill just passed. It will help recently released prisoners who have served their time to apply for employment and housing.
- Also the Juvenile Justice Reform Bill passed. It will hike the age of detention. It will also form a task force to work on problems throughout the system.
- Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Mariyana Spryropoulos has set up a new data dashboard.
- Jan Goldberg discussed the origins of the Criminal Justice Interest Group and the SAFE-T Act at a recent meeting of the Homewood Flossmoor League
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Our next regular meeting will be Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025 9 am via zoom.
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To participate in this meeting, please contact Jan Goldberg
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Forest Preserve Interest Group
Nature is our Business
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- The Cook County Forest Preserves received a grant from the IL Criminal Justice Information Authority to support the Green Corps. The Green Chicago Conservation Corps Program provides job skills training for individuals with barriers to employment, including prior involvement in the criminal justice system. Individuals receive practical and technical training in environmentally related jobs.
- A community meeting on November 6 considered widening and adding more traffic lanes of Quentin Road between Deer Grove East and West. The option the Cook County Transportation department is looking at will result in the loss of 3.2 acres temporarily and permanent loss of .7 acres. The widening and bridge repair is estimated to take 5 years.
- Encroachment issues are serious problems for the Forest Preserves. There is a plan to put water pipes through Forest Preserve land near Joliet that will result in the loss of trees.
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Wild Things for People and Nature January 31, 2026 O’Fallon, IL A celebration of nature, wildlife, ecosystem restoration, and stewardship. One of the largest conservation gatherings in the Midwest. For more information see Wildthingscommunity.org
Next team meeting is Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 - 8:30am on zoom. If interested, contact Laura Davis Lauramdavis90@gmail.com
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More than 80 people attended the LWV-OPRF Fall Kickoff, “Can Local Journalism Survive? Thrive?”on October 9.
Co-sponsored with Wednesday Journal parent, Growing Community Media (GCM), the panel consisted of Tracy Baim, executive director of Press Forward Chicago, a pooled fund supporting local journalism; April Alonso, co-founder of Cicero Independiente; Amethyst J. Davis, founder of the Harvey World Herald; and Max Reinsdorf, GCM interim executive director. It was moderated by Judith Crown, co-president of LWV-OPRF. The program was recorded and may be viewed here:
https://youtu.be/pskORW7DBmA
| | Local League Upcoming Events | | |
Wednesday, November 19, 7-8:30pm In person
LWV La Grange Area
Affordable Housing in our Local Communities
Speaker: Tina Rounds, CEO BEDSPLUS
La Grange Public Library,
10 W. Cossitt Ave.
La Grange, Il 60525
Thursday, November 20, 7-8 pm In Person and via Zoom
LWV of the Palatine, Barrington and Schaumburg Areas
Braver Angels Discussion: Navigating Difficult Conversations
Schaumburg Township District Library
130 S, Roselle Road
Schaumburg Il 60193
Register for Zoom Here
Thursday, December 11, 7-8:30pm In person
LWV La Grange Area
ICE, Border Patrol and the National Guard-How can we protect democracy in our communities?
Speaker: Ed Yohnka, Illinois ACLU
La Grange Public Library,
10 W. Cossitt Ave.
La Grange, Il 60525
Registration is required. Register HERE
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2025-2026 Cook County League Board Members
OFFICERS: President: Diane Edmundson, Chicago; Vice-President, Kathi Graffam, LaGrange Area; Vice-President, Susan Gregory, Glenview-Glencoe; Secretary: Carolyn Cosentino, Homewood/Flossmoor; Treasurer: Trudy Turner, Evanston.
Board members: Victoria Cerinich, Palos-Orland Park Area; Laura Davis, Palatine, Barrington & Schaumburg Areas; Jan Goldberg, LaGrange Area ; Betty Hayford, Evanston; Pris Mims, Chicago; Sandra Slayton, Homewood-Flossmoor
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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
lwvcookcounty.org
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