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Dear League Members,
In spite of the inclement January weather, League members Mary Haley, Marge Massarello, Marsha Borders, and Peggy Kell turned out for the Women's March to show their support for our causes in the upcoming decade and beyond.
Our New Year's Brunch was a big success! Over 30 people attended, and Larry Garfield of "Rank the Vote" gave an informative presentation on Ranked Choice Voting, our best hope for a fair democratic system. Thanks to Mary Haley, Kathy Balk and Michelle Fitz-Henry for providing a delicious buffet. The State of Maine has switched over to this system, and hopefully more states will follow.
Mary Cay Murray, Judith McDevitt, Jane Hastings and Michelle Fitz-Henry have been working with the Complete Count Committees of Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park. Several events are planned to learn more about the 2020 Census. See below for further information.
Kathy Balk and Mary Haley are planning to visit our State Legislators to discuss the "Fair Maps" initiative to discourage gerrymandering and create a more equitable way to draw district lines. Encouraging incumbents to adopt this system will not be easy, but Kathy and Mary will point out the benefits of the change.
President Graham attended the Clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court's Candidates' Forum which was sponsored by Chicago Appleseed. Each presented their approach to managing the enormous amount of data as well as their experience in the field. The four candidates on the primary ballot this March are Richard Boykin, Iris Martinez, Jacob Meister and Michael Cabonargi.
On February 14, from 10:00-11:15am at the Congress Plaza Hotel, LWV IL will celebrate 100 years as a non-partisan grassroots organization with a cake and remarks from legislators and community influencers. There will be a birthday serenade from the G3 Gospel Choir.
OPRF League members will join the LaGrange League at the Goodman Theatre on Sunday, February 23 at 2:00pm for the final performance of "ROE," the enactment of the famous "Roe vs. Wade" Supreme Court case. Attendees will get a 50% discount on main floor tickets and are encouraged to bring a friend. More information on how to participate later in this newsletter.
Have a happy Valentine's Day and a wonderful month!
Beverly Graham
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A 3-year effort by the Cook County League of Women Voters Housing Affordability and Residential Desegregation Interest Group, the H.A.R.D. Study asks, "What can Cook County Government do to promote affordable rental housing for families with children while reducing segregation?" At the February 11 Second Tuesday meeting, Kelly Kleiman, Chair of the H.A.R.D. will present the report. Learn about this landmark study, and discuss how we can support housing equity in our county and the implications for preserving and advancing affordable housing in our villages. View the flyer here and download the H.A.R.D. Study pdf here. Free and open to the public, we meet from 9:30 - 11:00am at the Nineteenth Century C. A., 178 Forest Avenue, Oak Park.
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A signature Complete Count event is coming up on Sunday, February 16, 2:00-3:30pm, at the River Forest Library in partnership with LWV OPRF. Join us to hear Issue Specialists Hilary Denk and Sihoban Greene of LWV IL as they present an engaging, interactive workshop on Census2020 participation. The Library is at 735 Lathrop with free parking next to the building. Read the flyer
here.
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LWV OPRF is joining the LaGrange League in attending the final performance of ''ROE'' at the Goodman Theatre on Sunday, February 23rd at
2:oopm. Tickets are available for a limited time at $35 for main floor seats. Go to the Goodman website and enter the code ''LWV23'' after selecting the February 23rd date. Click on the 2:00pm time of the performance to select seats. Note that once you select that performance, you will need to select the "Main Floor" tab and the available seats will show up in blue. This offer is only available until February 14, then the seats will be open to the public. If you have any difficulties, call the box office at (312)443-3800.
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The annual LWV IL Issues Briefing will be Saturday, February 15, from 9:00am-4:00pm, at Northeastern Illinois University, 5500 N. St. Louis Ave., Chicago. There will be panel discussions and break-out sessions on a variety of issues. Go
here to see the schedule and to register.
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Cook County Board Honors League
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You can watch the video of the League's 100th Anniversary being honored by the Cook County Board here. Representing the Cook County League were Chris Ruys, Amy Little, and Cynthia Schilsky, who said a few words. Also there was Audra Wilson, the Executive Director of the LWV IL and the head of Cook County's Women's Commission, who also spoke. President Preckwinkle is a member.
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Our Voter Service Committee has been busy getting in some last minute voter registrations. Last Thursday, Jane Hastings, Deborah Carter McCoy, Judith McDevitt, Wendy Greenhouse, and Peggy Kell registered 90 new voters at Trinity H.S. Thanks to Jane Hastings for getting the event scheduled and to Susan Biddel from Trinity for being an enthusiastic supporter and contact. On Saturday, more than 28 people were certified at a Deputy Registrar training session held at the Third Unitarian Church in Chicago. Thanks to Mena Boulanger and her church contacts for partnering with our League to make this happen.
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Automatic Voter Registration
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Interested in signing a Common Cause petition to encourage Secretary of State Jessie White to comply with federal voting laws, commit to implementing AVR correctly, and ensure every eligible Illinois citizen can be heard? You can go here to read more and sign the petition.
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Join
Mass Liberation and Environmental Justice's
Springfield Lobby Day on
Tuesday, February 25th
as they head to the capital to lobby legislators
to end money bond and move Illinois to 100% clean energy.
Lobby day is free and open to the public. Transportation, training and lunch will be provided.
Buses will depart from downtown Chicago, 95th and Eggleston, Chicago Heights, Arlington Heights and Oak Park. You can register here.
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LWV IL January 31 Time for Action
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