LWVIL News You Can Use

February 2023

Issues Briefing 2023 information and Registration

Registration Closes Today at 11:59 pm. Register now! Learn from legislators and nonpartisan experts—be informed and prepared so you can advocate for change in your community and state.

All you need is internet access - we're on Zoom!

Hear about defending democracy against threats to elections and how high school students use grass roots power to get a bill passed. Choose from sessions on racism in schools, carbon capture/sequestration, juvenile justice, housing, gun violence and reproductive rights.

Note: The $30 registration fee is waived for students. Illinois teachers can earn five Professional Development credits for attending the full day. Complimentary registration is available on request.

This spring is Consolidated Election season in Illinois. Spring comes early in Chicago, where elections are currently underway, along with Primary Consolidated Elections in some communities. The majority of Illinois Consolidated Elections will take place on April 4, along with any Chicago run off elections that are necessary.

Run off elections will be necessary where a candidate does not receive 51% of the vote - in any race except the new police district councils. In the police district council races, the elections will go to the top three winners.

What

races

are

covered?

Primary Consolidated Election Day

February 28

Consolidated Election Day April 4

Your vote is your voice.

Use it!

January 4

First day to apply for a vote by mail ballot.

February 23

First day to vote early at the office of the election authority.
First day for the election authority to mail an official ballot to a registered voter within the United States.

March 8

First day of grace period for in person registration and voting at an election authority and early voting sites; continues through election day.

March 10

First day to vote early or by mail if a primary was held in your election jurisdiction.

March 19

Last day for online voter registration. Grace period in person registration available at election authority and early voting sites.

March 20

First day to vote early at permanent polling places. (Vote early at the office of the election authority starting February 23)

March 30

Last day for election authority to receive vote by mail applications

April 4

Election Day! Polls open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.

The LWV of Illinois and and LWV of Chicago partnered with ABC7 and Univision to host all nine Chicago mayoral candidates on January 19.

For nearly three decades, LWV of Illinois has partnered with ABC7 to hold televised debates for major mayoral, gubernatorial and congressional races.

The debates follow LWV of Illinois standards and the League collaborates in crafting candidate invitations, establishing ground rules, creating candidate questions, and assisting in the studio with timing.

The January 19 mayoral debate was live streamed by both ABC7 and Univision (with simultaneous translation) on their various media platforms. Both stations also broadcast the debate on Sunday, January 22: UNIMAS (WXFT-TV) at 4:00 pm, and ABC 7.1 at 10:30 pm. C-SPAN will air the debate in the near future at a time to be announced.

Candidate Forums

Candidate forums are a League hallmark, known for their League-trained, nonpartisan moderators. These forums give the public an opportunity to learn how candidates respond to questions in real time.

Whether held on zoom or inperson and live streamed, this significant form of candidate information is widely accessible. Candidate forum recordings are posted on the LWV of Illinois website and in the Illinois Voter Guide.

In preparation for the current election season, the LWV of Illinois conducted candidate forum training for more than 60 members in January. Local Leagues held more than 150 candidate forums during the 2021 Consolidated Elections.

Watch for the April 2023 Consolidated Election candidate forum calendar on the LWV of Illinois website.

New on Chicago ballots

Police District Councils

While many eyes are on the crowded, nine-person race for Chicago mayor, Chicago communities are also paying attention to elections for the newly-established Police District Councils in each of the city's 22 police districts .

According to the City of Chicago municipal code ordinance, the Councils fall under the umbrella of a 2019 federal court-enforced Consent Decree, which mandates fundamental reform for the Chicago Police Department to restore trust for the police within Chicago’s neighborhoods most challenged by violence, poverty, and unemployment. Community-police trust and cooperation helps reduce crime.

The ordinance established a Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA), composed of seven commissioners appointed by the mayor. This Commission is a way to promote evidence-based, community-focused approaches to public safety and provide Chicago residents opportunities to provide input and shape Police Department practices.

In addition, the ordinance established the 22 Police District Councils, each made up of three community members who are elected. Councils participate in the selection of the seven commissioners, provide policy recommendations to the Commission, and generally serve as the conduit for community input to the Commission and Chicago Police Department.

Chicago’s path to community oversight and trust-building with the police department is groundbreaking—it will be watched for its potential to serve as a model for community safety around the state and nation.

Your legislators need to hear from you.

Speak up for what you want!

Contact them today.

Your donations power the League

Together,

we make democracy

work.

Donate Now

Join the League!

Thank you for supporting our work to defend democracy and empower voters.

Donate

View as Webpage