Did you know that in the absence of local journalism, there is increased government corruption, lower voter turnout, fewer people run for office, and false information spreads? Please join us for a discussion on Wednesday, September 21, at 7:00pm via Zoom, on the vital role that local journalism plays in preserving healthy democracies, building communities, and why not-for-profit community news centers may be the future of the industry. The panel will feature speakers from the Wednesday Journal and Growing Community Media including: Dan Haley, Editor and Publisher; Michael Romain, Editor and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and Melissa Elsmo, Editor of Oak Park Eats and Donor Relations Manager. Sign up here for this event with our partner, the Forest Park Library.

Should Oak Park Village Trustees be elected using Ranked Choice Voting? That is the question our League in partnership with other local organizations are working to get on the April 2023 ballot as a binding referendum question. Would you like to join this group to work on citizen, League member, and Oak Park Trustee educational efforts? Then contact Peggy Kell. If you don't know anything about RCV,  go here to start learning. 

District 9 Cook County Commissioner Peter Silvestri will not be running for re-election in November. River Forest is in the southern part of District 9. We would like to hold a Zoom candidate forum for the two candidates who are running: Democrat Maggie Trevor and Republican Matt Podgorski. This forum would be in partnership with LWV Palatine, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, and Mount Prospect. We do need some volunteers to get this off the ground by calling candidates, checking in with the other Leagues, and sending out publicity notices to generate interest. Please contact Peggy Kell if you can help.

Whether in the courtroom or on the playing field, women have been serving as judges, regulators, and referees for 75 years and counting. Federal Judge Burnita Shelton Matthews, FDA Board Member Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey, NBA referee Violet Palmer, and NFL referee Sarah Thomas all were pioneers in their fields. LWV Berkeley Heights, New Providence and Summit, NJ, puts out this newsletter on the Feminist Four quarterly. Read more about these Feminist Four here. Click on the pictures in the newsletter to find out more about each woman. 

LWV Lake Michigan Region have scheduled Zoom events that will be state specific on the topics of Climate Change, PFAS, Invasive Species, and Coal Ash. These hour-long programs will educate members and the public about the issues impacting Lake Michigan in each of the four surrounding states. Each program is open to everyone, regardless of where you live. Dates and registration are as follows:

Thursday, September 15, 7:30pm, Wisconsin: Register here

Thursday, September 22, 7:30om, Illinois:  Register here

Thursday, September 29, 7:30pm, Michigan (Eastern time):  Register here

Programs will also be recorded, as was the session on Indiana held September 9.

It's time to make the donuts! Please sign up for a shift and slot for the Donut Fundraiser on Saturday, October 22. This is a no-brainer to raise League dollars without asking our members to contribute funds, just your time and work efforts.  

The time slots for volunteering are from 4:00am to 1:00pm, with most shifts being 3 hours. The selling booth is at the Oak Park Farmers Market in the Pilgrim Congregational Church parking lot, with parking available at the village lot across Scoville for volunteers. The donuts are made in the church basement—everyone is required to wear a mask when working inside.  Please use this link and sign up on an open line. Don’t forget to enter your phone number and email address. Then hit Submit. You should receive a confirmation email. Training will be provided if you are unsure of a particular position. If you have any questions, please contact Joan Petertil. She'll be there bright and early!

LWV US September 8

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