Newsletter Highlights
Save the Date August 4 for Food For Thought Registration begins on July 1
National Day of Action August 8 to defend Voting Rights
LWVCC Advocates for Enhanced Vote by Mail Return Process
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Organize, agitate, educate, must be our war cry.
Susan B. Anthony
| | Food for Thought August 4 | | |
Cook County Commissioners Bridget Degnen, 12th District, and Sean Morrison, 17th District, will speak at Food for Thought
The Cook County League’s annual Food for Thought luncheon will take place on Tuesday, August 4 from 11:30 to 1:00 pm at the DePaul Club Room, 1 E. Jackosn, downtown Chicago. The program will feature Cook County Commissioners Bridget Degnen (12th District in Chicago) and Sean Morrison (17th District in the Suburbs).
Both Commissioners Degnen and Morrison chose not to run for re-election this year. We’ll have the chance to ask them about the current projects they have been working on and what they want to see finished before they leave the Board, as well as look back on their time as Commissioners.
Look for more details in upcoming emailed notices from the Cook County League, as well as information on the LWVCC Website.
Registration will open July 1.
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On August 8, 2026, join the LWVUS and our partners as we host a nationwide day of civic action in honor of the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
For more information about activities in Illinois, go to the LWVIL Website
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League Promotes Return of Vote-by-Mail
Ballots at Any Polling Place on Election Day
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The Cook County League filed written comments and presented public comments at a Cook County Board Committee meeting on June 10 promoting the return of vote-by-mail (VBM) ballots in their sealed return envelope to any polling place within the applicable Election Authority’s jurisdiction. These comments were in response to a “Resolution Calling for a Hearing Regarding a National Commitment to Defend, Protect, and Expand the Right to Vote.” (Item 26-1409 on the agenda for the Cook County Board Legislation & Intergovernmental Relations Committee meeting.) To read the League’s comments, click HERE
This proposal is part of a state-wide effort by the League of Women Voters of Illinois to make it easier to utilize VBM ballots in light of recent challenges to voting by mail. First, the Post Office has changed their procedures so that it can take several business days for a piece of mail to be postmarked. Second, there is currently pending before the United States Supreme Court a case challenging a Mississippi law allowing VBM ballots that are received after Election Day to be counted as long as the postmark date is on or before Election Day. This law is similar to the Illinois law, except that the “grace period” to receive the VBM ballots after Election Day is 5 business days in Mississippi, rather than the 14 days allowed by Illinois.
While both Chicago and Suburban Cook have drop boxes available for returning VBM ballots during Early Voting and on Election Day, most voters are not within walking distance of these locations. This contrasts with the hundreds of polling places open on Election Day.
The Cook County League’s comments suggest how both the Chicago Board of Elections (for Chicago voters) and the Cook County Clerk’s office (for Suburban Cook voters) could accommodate the return of VBM ballots in their sealed envelopes at polling places on Election Day. The League noted that both Election Authorities have long been known for embracing new procedures to make it easier to vote. The League is urging these Authorities to take the additional steps to continue to make utilizing VBM ballots a feasible option, and is asking the Cook County Commissioners to support this effort.
| | 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 Tuesday, June 30, 10 am via Zoom
Criminal Justice Tuesday, July 21, 9 am via Zoom
Contact Jan Goldberg
Forest Preserve Wednesday July 1, 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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TIFs and Property Taxes
If You Want to Learn about TIFs (Tax Increment Financing) …
the Civic Federation has a May 12 publication called “Frequently Asked Questions: Tax Increment Financing” that has some very useful information, along with pro’s and con’s. See FAQs about TIFs. The Civic Federation has also released a very short (2 minute)video: TIF Explainer Video.
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Forest Preserve Interest Group
Nature is our Business
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We hope to set up a walk in the Orland Grasslands in Homewood Flossmoor and Somme Woods later this summer. Both areas demonstrate the value of restoration in supporting biodiversity.
- The next team meeting is Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 8:30 am via Zoom
| | Criminal Justice Interest Group | |
- The growing problems of Electronic Monitoring was a topic of discussion at our last meeting. We will be reaching out to our research contacts at Loyola University and University of Chicago for more data on this program. We will also be meeting with the Appleseed lawyers about this.
- The Cook County Board of Commissioners have held several hearings on Domestic Violence. A report with recommendations is due out in July. We did observe some of these hearings. One of the biggest problems for DV victims is that they need to go to one court to file an order of protection and to another to file for divorce or custody issues. Both the State's Attorney and the CC Board are trying to streamline these processes.
- The Illinois Supreme Court has approved several steps toward greater transparency for all Illinois Courts. Each district will have a public information officer to respond to data requests.
- The Illinois General Assembly just approved $1.5 million for a Pretrial Success Pilot Program. This would include access to mental health professionals, childcare, case management, and drug addiction programs for people awaiting trial.
- Juvenile detention minimum age was just changed from 10 to 12 for offenders in that age category.
- Our next book discussion will be June 23 at 9am via zoom. Our book will be "Policing White Supremacy" by Mike German.
- Our next regular meeting will be July 21st at 9am via zoom.
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To participate in these meetings, please contact Jan Goldberg
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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
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On May 16, the LaGrange Area LWV was treated to a fabulous speaker, Judge Daniel Jasica, son of Jeanine Jasica who has been a league member for 64 years. Judge Jasica is a chancery court judge in Lake County and a speaker for the Illinois Judges Association. He discussed how one becomes a judge, the judicial rule of law, judicial ethics and independence, the appellate process, and AI in the courts. The Illinois Judges Association is providing speakers to public groups to help people understand the court system in Illinois. To request a speaker, send an email to info@ija.org.
| Local Leagues Upcoming Events | | |
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 12:00 pm Via Zoom
LWVIL Lunch & Learn
Funding Elections: The Montana Plan, Connecticut Citizens Election Program, and how we get ready.
Speaker: Elona Vaisnys, LWVIL Money in Politics Specialist.
Register on the LWVIL website
Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 7:00 pm In Person and Zoom
LWV of the Palatine, Barrington, and Schaumburg Areas
The Constitution Today:Rights, Power, and the Supreme Court
Moderator Paul Lisnek, Speaker Steven D. Schwinn
Rasmussen Room, Schaumburg Library, 130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg
Register on the the Schaumburg Library Website
Thursday, July 30, 2026, 7:00 pm In Person
LWV of the Palatine, Barrington, and Schaumburg Areas
Food Insecurity and the Work of the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) and Discussion of GCFD/LWVCC partnership on Voter Registration and Voter Education
Speaker: Molly Dubow CGFD
Schaumburg Library, 130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg
More information and registration Here
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2026-2027 Cook County League Board Members
OFFICERS: President: Diane Edmundson, Chicago; Vice-President, Victoria Cerinich, Palos-Orland Area; Vice-President, Susan Gregory, Glenview-Glencoe; Secretary: Hollis Burgess, Chicago; Treasurer: Trudy Turner, Evanston.
Board members: Laura Davis, Palatine, Barrington & Schaumburg Areas; Jan Goldberg, LaGrange Area ; Kathi Graffam, 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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