Greetings!
We can all make a difference... even from our couches. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois General Assembly has suspended sessions for the saftey and well being of the elected officials and staff in Springfield, but democracy still fights on. The League of Women Voters of Illinois Issues & Advocacy Committee has been hard at work...from home... to continue the work of the League and to advocate for the issues and legislation that is important to us and the people of Illinois.
Thank you for your continued support and advocacy, even in the face of a pandemic.
Sincerely,
Co-Chairs, Issues & Advocacy Committee
League of Women Voters of Illinois
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New League Advocacy Series
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LWVIL Issues & Advocacy Committee would like to invite you to the LWVIL Legislative Hour, a virtual 60 minutes with Illinois legislators to discuss issues important to the League. The inaugural event will occur on
Monday, April 20 at 11 a.m. via Zoom
and feature
IL Senate President Don Harmon, State Senator Melinda Bush, State Senator Julie Morrison and State Representative Terra Costa Howard
answering questions about:
- How the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting work of the General Assembly;
- Update on Gun Violence Prevention legislation, Fix the FOID (SB1966); and
- Update on Fair Maps Advocacy.
The event will conclude with questions from the audience. Please submit your questions no later than April 19 at 10 p.m. to
the LWVIL Issues & Advocacy Committee
. Time is limited but we will attempt to include as many of your questions as possible. This event is free and open to all League members who register in advance.
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Note: Due to the legislators' ever changing schedules, some sessions may include pre-recorded interviews. All LWVIL Legislative Hour events will be recorded and made available on the LWVIL website. And don't forget to mark your calendars for additional LWVIL Legislative Hours every Monday at 11 am.
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In the face of a global pandemic the LWVIL Issues & Advocacy Committee has had to work and advocate in unchartered times. As the World begins to forge its new normal, the League's resilence persists. Below are some upcoming virtual events that are helping to continue the work of the League.
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Virtual Lobby Day: May 13
The League’s Virtual Lobby Day will occur on Wednesday, May 13 at 11 AM. With participation limited to League members who register in advance, the primary focus of the day will be the budget. LWVIL will advocate for
increases in funding for healthcare, education, and human services for our most vulnerable populations
who have been affected by the pandemic – immigrants, low income, and others. In addition, we expect to advocate for funding relative to an expansion of mail-in balloting.
Lobby Day Specialist: Hilary Denk
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Virtual Fair Tax Training: April 29
On Wednesday, April 29, at 1 pm, LWVIL will host a virtual session for League members who are interested in helping to educate friends, neighbors, and groups about the need for a Fair Income Tax. LWVIL Issues & Advocacy Co-Chair Jean Pierce and LWVIL Issue Specialist Ann Courter will present the latest Fair Tax PowerPoint and will share pointers/information with League members to speak knowledgeably and informally about why voters need to Vote Yes for the Fair Tax Amendment.
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Issue Specialists: Jean Pierce and Ann Courter
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Here are some important ways that we can all continue our advocacy.
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Fair Maps Amendment (HJRCA41/SJRCA18)
TELL 10 Campaign
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TIME IS RUNNING OUT!
Though many of our local League members have contacted their legislators to ask them to support the Fair Maps Amendment, there is still much work that needs to be done. The League is now asking you to amplify your advocacy. Please
TELL 10
of your friends and family in Illinois to reach out to their legislators and urge them to support the Fair Maps Amendment.
If the General Assembly hasn't agreed
by May 3
to put a referendum on the November ballot asking for a Constitutional amendment to take district mapping out of the hands of the politicians, it won't happen in this DECADE. It is vitally important to keep pressure on lawmakers in order to get their support for the Fair Maps Amendment (
HJRCA41
/
SJRCA18
).
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2020 Legislative Interviews
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Instead of scheduling interviews with your legislators this year, the LWVIL Issues & Advocacy Committee is encouraging you to participate in the League’s online Legislative Hours, virtual 60 minute sessions with legislators to discuss and answer questions about key issues important to LWVIL. Find the calendar of LWVIL Legislative Hours
on the LWVIL website
.
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LWVIL Criminal Justice Study
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During the 2018 LWVIL Convention, League members voted to conduct a study to update the LWVIL Criminal Justice Position. Over 25 years old, our position was in need of significant updating to allow us to advocate for current day policy issues.
The State Study group has nearly completed its work and now the Local Leagues step up to do their part.
What is required from Members?
(Your League may choose to work together with another League or two)
- Please contact your local League President to say that you would like to be part of a Study Group. Each local League creates a Study Group. The Study Group reviews the study materials provided by the CJ Position Update Committee and arranges for at least one informational meeting in the fall, that is open to League members and the public. The Study Group will lead one or two education meetings which may be open to the public in fall of 2020.
- Please join the Criminal Justice Google Group in order to access the needed materials by joining the Criminal Justice Google Group. To join, email Morgan Lyn at the LWVIL office.
- Please make sure the Criminal Justice Position Update Consensus in included in your League’s 2020 program planning!
One or two consensus meetings will be held in January, 2021. Then results of the consensus meetings are sent to the CJ Position Update Committee. An overview of the consensus study can be
found here
.
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Environment Report: Energy, Plastics, and Oil
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As the General Assembly is adjorned for an indeterminate amount of time, the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) future is on hold. When legislation resumes, all activity will be on the COVID-19 response and the budget. But we are hoping for a possibility for some very critical and time-sensitive items to also get attention.
The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (authors of CEJA) is encouraging all of its members to spend this time focusing on community aid in whatever way they can.
Most recently an article was posted about The National League of Cities is promoting the GRC as an excellent vehicle for communities to advance their sustainability goals.
Read more...
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Before the legislature shut down, there were several bills to address
plastic pollution.
There are bills for a $0.10 bag tax, disposable bottle deposit, take out styrofoam and one to give preference for “Green” vendors.
Evidence of why this is so important:
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Oil and Pipelines in the news
The Illinois Commerce Commission held an evidentiary hearing between Save Our Illinois Land (SOIL) with the Sierra Club and Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) in March. DAPL is seeking to double its pipeline capacity to 1,000,000 barrels per day. There will be a ruling for or against the permits in a few months.
Read more...
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Immigrants during COVID-19
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Thank you to everyone who supported the Illinois Coalition Immigrant and Refugee Rights' (ICIRR), Campaign for a Welcoming Illinois, and its coalition partners, including LWVIL, advocate for immigrant communities during this COVID-19 crisis by participating in a Virtual Advocacy Day on March 26. If you haven't had a chance to contact your state legislators, it's not too late. Please ask them to support the following four priorities:
1. Health access for all, regardless of immigration status;
2. Economic security for all, regardless of immigration status;
3. Ensure the safety of all persons in detention and incarceration;
4. Keep all people away from harm and away from ICE.
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The initial response to the Census has been lower than in previous years. Please post this on your Facebook page and remind your family and friends to respond at
https://my2020census.gov/
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There are several ways to keep up to date with the LWVIL Issues & Advocacy Committee. You can:
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