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Bonnie Cox, LWVIL President
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 From the President
Dear Members,
Although a budget has been passed in Illinois, an education bill, SB 1, awaits the Governor's signature. This bill, supported by LWVIL, has huge implications for the budget. At stake is more equitable education funding throughout Illinois. The Governor is threatening to veto it.
As I write this, repealing and replacing the Affordable Healthcare Act, also with huge implications for Illinois, is being debated.
This is such a crucial time for us to live up to our mission of "influencing public policy through education and advocacy." Our Issues Specialists invest hours and hours of time following the issues that support our stands on public policy. It's times like these where that investment pays off as they encourage us to "take action." With carefully and thoroughly prepared TFA's, those Issues Specialists give us the rationale for our support of an issue or bill. They "arm" us with the "no nonsense" and accurate information put in historical context that helps us stand up to the typical partisan talking points used to undermine the support for a piece of legislation.
Recently, a LWV member in our local league sent this message, "As we've discussed, primarily because of my time-consuming commitments, I can't be an active League member. But I greatly value all that the League does locally, and the League updates on issues help prod me to make my views known to our elected representatives." I responded with this, "I'm so glad that you use the LWV updates. I prefer to think of them as "helpful nudges" but if you need "prodding" so be it! By the way, responding to LWV requests for "time for action" or contacting your representatives DOES make you an active LWV member!"
So when that TFA arrives in your inbox, please think about our fellow members who day after day, week after week, month after month have followed the issue in question investing their time and treasure helping us all be the best informed and most active citizens we can be.
Yours in League,
Bonnie
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Blueprint for LWV Mission Impact, Engagement, and Sustainability
LWVIL Executive Director Mary Schaafsma and President Bonnie Cox left the LWVUS National Council
inspired and energized!
LWV leaders from 42 states, LWVUS Board members, and LWVUS staff were guided through a very intense, structured and collaborative process to understand, evaluate, and discuss five transformational objectives for the LWV at all levels. Here is a
link to the summary report on those 5 objectives and the outcome of the National Council.
On July 15, our LWVIL Board, referenced the 5 transformational objectives, as we set actionable goals within set timeframes to follow through on the directives given us by delegates to the LWVIL Convention,
June 9-11. We will be sharing with you the progress on those goals and objectives in the coming months in this regular, recurring E News space.
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News from the LWVIL Issues Committee
LWVIL President Bonnie Cox's letter in this issue of the E-
News says it all:
"our Issues Specialists invest hours and hours of time following the issues that support our stands on public policy." The Issues Committee and its specialists deserve a huge round of applause for their efforts to keep LWVIL members and friends aware of our positions on issues during this extraordinary session of the Illinois General Assembly and the United States Congress.
- Evidence-based funding for public schools
- Criminal Justice
- Health Care
- Immigration
- Sustainable Food & Water
- Air Quality and Energy
- Water
- Social Policies
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From Voter Service
Sharon Alter & Jan Dorner, Co-Chairs
Automatic Voter Registration SB1933 on Governor Rauner's Desk
This bill was passed unanimously in both the Illinois House and Illinois Senate. With SB1933 on the Governor's desk, a signing ceremony had been scheduled a few weeks ago. However, the signing ceremony was delayed because of staff changes in the Governor's office plus the recent flooding in Illinois and other issues of pressing business. As of July 24th, the signing ceremony has not been rescheduled. Governor Rauner has until August 28th to sign the bill or to exercise a veto. If he does neither, the bill becomes law without any action by the Governor.
Candidate Forum/Debate Policy for Statewide Office Candidates
As a reminder, the May 2017 E-News noted information on the LWVIL Candidate Participation Policy. In part, that policy states: "Local Leagues are reminded that LWVIL takes the initiative for scheduling forums/debates for US Senator and Illinois Constitutional offices (Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Comptroller)."
Moderator Training Workshop in Peoria on Saturday, September 16
Irene Pritzker, former LWVIL Voter Service Co-Chair, will conduct this workshop from 10am to 2pm in the Community Room at Schnuck's Supermarket, 4800 N. University, Peoria. This location is 1 1/2 hours from Champaign, 1 1/2 hours from Macomb, and 1 1/2 hours from Springfield. While space is limited, there must be a minimum of 10 Leaguers to register for this in order for the workshop to take place. September 6 is the deadline to register. Please use this form and send it to
[email protected]
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APPLICATION
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League
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We all watch our budgets (our personal one and our LWVIL Ed Fund one) carefully! If you are able to pitch in for your lunch or would prefer to bring a sack lunch, let us know. Thanks! Lunch plans:
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I will bring my own lunch
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Include me in the group lunch. I will contribute $7 toward the cost
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Moderator Training Workshop in Chicago on Saturday, November 4th
Please mark your calendars. More information will be forthcoming.
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Save the Date!
It's official: the
2017 State of the State Luncheon event is scheduled for Wednesday, October 11
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at the Union League Club of Chicago.
The planning committee is hard at work to make this year's event a special one. We've invited both of our U.S. Senators, Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth. We are delighted that Renee Ferguson, the former Channel 2 (CBS) investigative reporter, has agreed to be the emcee of the event and will bring with her information about the Ida B Wells Society, a group dedicated to encouraging more people of color to pursue careers in investigative reporting. Ida B Wells (1862-1931) was a suffragist who was also an investigative reporter who, among other things, uncovered the truth about lynching.
Mark your calendar and join us. Look for more details in future E-News.
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Membership News
We're very excited about this summer's Membership Leadership Development Training taking place on August 18
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and 19
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at the Hilton Doubletree in Bloomington, Illinois. Current and new MLD coaches will be gathering with participants from 11 local leagues plus both of our MAL units to learn about MLD's best practices for retaining new members and fostering leaders within local leagues. Back by popular demand, Melissa Currence, LWVUS Ruth Shur Fellow coach for Illinois, will be our training facilitator.
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Board: Thumbs up for Springfield Area!
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The Board of LWVIL gives a big "thumbs up" to the provisional
LWV of the Springfield Area
! In a matter of just (15 months) a dedicated group led by
Beth Langan
and including
DJ Hawkins, Karen Davis, Marcia Wherry, Linda Carson and Jillian Hawkins
put together a very well done application for full fledged local LWV status.
The LWVIL Board enthusiastically approved the application on July 15. The application has now been submitted to LWVUS for approval. How wonderful and meaningful to again have a local LWV in our state capital!
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Alice Heath (front), former LWVGR president, joins current LWVIL president, Bonnie Cox, and LWVGR co-presidents, Claire Flynn McIntyre and Christina Hiltrop
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LWVGR Celebrates 95 Years
The
LWV-Greater Rockford Area celebrated its 95th Anniversary on Friday, July 21, at the Ethnic Heritage Museum, Rockford. Against a backdrop of several displays showing its accomplishments and the histories of several prominent members, 50 year member
Alice Heath
shared her experiences. LWVIL President Bonnie Cox shared how LWV members in Rockford mentored and encouraged her through the years.
Congratulations, LWV-Greater Rockford Area, on 95 years of successful LWV leadership, influence, and accomplishment in your community!
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