Letter from the President
Greetings!
These are unprecedented times.
We are in uncharted waters.
Never before have we seen, or experienced this.

These are the phrases we encounter repeatedly when we open our email or listen to the news. How can we know the best way to proceed with our daily life, plans and goals when our world is defined by not knowing? We start with what we know and to the best of our ability, we stick with what we know.

Humans are creatures of habit; inherently we rely on routine, patterns, predictability. As our routines are thrown into disarray, it’s important to establish new patterns. We need a framework to count on. From the security of predictability, we carry on. I see this in my 92 year old father, living by himself; I see this in Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, providing cogent, caring daily briefings to our state in English and Spanish; I see this in Dr. Emily Landon, U Chicago epidemiologist, as though she is sitting in our kitchen, giving us the knowledge and motivation to follow the #StayAtHome order. 

We can respond with determination, planfulness and problem solving. We can access history, expertise and science. We can establish connections, sharing and support. We engage as best we can, however we are able. These are the strengths we have all known through the LWV. This is the work for a greater good that is the LWV. As we carry on, our LWV mission must be in focus. Now election integrity, voter protection, access to information and voting are all of utmost import. Let’s continue to rise to the challenges and ensure that voting rights are secure for all of Illinois. 

As always, I look forward to your comments, concerns and brainstorms.


Take good care and please stay home to stay well and stop the spread of the virus, 
President
League of Women Voters of Illinois 
LWV Evanston League Member, Kathy Tate-Bradish, named UnSung Heroine
Our sincerest congratulations to LWV Evanston member, Kathy Tate-Bradish, who was recognized at the 23 rd  Annual Peggy A. Montes  Unsung Heroine Awards Breakfast , hosted by Cook County Board President (and LWV Chicago member) Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Commission on Women’s Issues. Kathy was nominated by 13 th  District Cook County Commissioner, Larry Suffredin.  

Among her numerous accomplishments, Kathy was recognized for founding and running the ABCs of Sex Education to teach HIV/AIDS education and offer workshops in rural Kenya. Over 70,000 Kenyans have been taught by ABC’s trained community educators since 2008. Her program has also reduced teen pregnancy by 25% and increased condom use and HIV testing by 20%. Locally, Kathy has moderated countless forums around Cook County and advocated for reform and participatory democracy.  
Illinois Voter Guide makes a difference in the 2020 Primary Election
The Illinois Voter Guide continues to be an invaluable online resource to the Illinois community. During the 2020 Primary election, the Illinois Voter Guide was able to:

  • Cover 1,047 positions and 1,995 candidates
  • Reach 1,100+ cities and 25,000+ individuals
  • Showcase 107 candidate forum videos with 73 submitted by LWV Cook County in partnership with WTTW, 32 submitted by local Leagues, and 2 ABC-7 streamed candidate forums.
  • Include 47 Candidate Q&As from local Leagues, with community centric questions
  • Provide Bar Associations evaluations of judicial candidates

In preparation for the 2020 General Election in November, the LWVIL Voter Service Committee will be setting up online trainings for local Leagues that will include: how to submit questions; how to find and add email addresses; how to manage the Illinois Voter Guide; and how to USE the Illinois Voter Guide for any and all users. Stay tuned!
LWVIL Preparing for the 2020 General Election
Next steps in ensuring a fair election with a strong voter turn out in November.
In these uncertain times, many League members and supporters are asking, "What can we do to ensure a fair election with a strong voter turnout?" LWVIL is working on an answer.

The League is partnering with Reform for Illinois, a nonpartisan research and advocacy organization that empowers the public to  participate in government , to urge the state legislators to explore new options for ensuring the broadest possible access to voting in our state, particularly as the COVID-19 virus threatens to disrupt traditional voting methods.
 
There is still time to make sure that our November election is secure and has a robust turn-out. We will keep you updated concerning our work with the legislature and the Governor to make the upcoming elections secure, safe, and accessible.
Questions? Reach out to the Voter Service Committee .
LWVIL Criminal Justice Study
Please include in your League’s Program Planning for 2020/2021
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 Local Leagues?
(Your League may choose to work together with another League or two)
  1. 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.
  2. Your study group will be able to access the needed materials by joining the Criminal Justice Google Group. To join, email Morgan Lyn at the LWVIL office. 
  3. Please include the Criminal Justice Position Update Consensus in your 2020 program planning! It is essential for local Leagues to participate and provide input otherwise we will not be able to update our 1995 Criminal Justice Position 
  4. One or two consensus meetings are held in January 2021. Results of the consensus meetings are sent to the CJ Position Update Committee.

An overview of the consensus study can be found  here .  (Please note: You will need to scroll down to “Criminal Justice Position Update: A Preview of the Upcoming Consensus” and click on “Downloadable Resources.”) .
Have Power Point, Will Travel... virtually
A number of the LWVIL Issues Specialists are ready and willing to virtually present programs for your local League. Programs and issues specialists available are:

  • Jean Pierce, Ann Courter, and Hilary Denk – Fair Tax Amendment
  • Jim McGrath – Gun Violence Prevention
  • Janet Kittlaus – Criminal Justice Study
  • Paula Lawson and Jane Ballengee – Fair Maps/Redistricting
  • Barb Laimins – Civic Education
  • Rosemary Heilemann – Abolishing the Electoral College
Reach out to the Issues & Advocacy Committee for more information.
100th Anniversary Article
New Article sharing the history and legacy of the League.
A new 100th Anniversary League Article is now available! The article, entitled League in the 60's , is penned by League member Marge Massarello, and features great information about the Equal Pay Act and Women's Voter Week.

Don't forget these articles can be used in your local League newsletter, on your website, as press releases to your local media and can even help in reaching out to your local history museum and/or library to start discussions about partnering for an exhibit. If you have any questions about the 100th Anniversary Committee , the tool kit or articles, please reach out to 100th Anniversary Chair Mary Kubasak .
Local League Spotlight
LWVIL Local Leagues and members are doing amazing things in their communities.
On March 8, LWV Highland Park/Highwood completed its first “Stroll to the Polls” with the Social Studies Department of Highland Park High School (HPHS).  More than 100 enthusiastic HPHS students from multiple Civics classes gathered, with hot chocolate and donuts, to hear about the importance of voting from featured speakers: HPHS Social Studies teachers Joe Brysiewicz and Deborah Linder; League coordinator of the event, Shoshana Friedman; Highwood Mayor Charlie Pecaro; Highland Park Councilman Tony Blumberg, and two student speakers. 

Thirty plus volunteers from the League, including many from neighboring League LWV Arlington Heights-Mt. Prospect-Buffalo Grove, Grand Times (a local intergenerational program) and the teaching staff of HPHS and their spouses were there to register and organize the students into teams. They sent them on to their assigned routes to speak with residents and leave behind nonpartisan materials with information about voter registration and early and Election Day voting for the upcoming Illinois Primary Election.  

The LWV Highland Park/Highwood “Stroll to the Polls” team was led by event co-chairs Judy Miller and Nancy Goldberg and event coordinator Shoshana Friedman. A big thanks also goes to LWV Naperville for sharing its process and guidance, as well as LWV Arlington Heights-Mt. Prospect-Buffalo Grove for supplementing the volunteer pool.  

Does your local League need a spotlight? Please submit your latest local success by emailing the LWVIL office .
Important Dates to Remember
Dates are subject to change due to the COVID-19 virus and safety protocols. All previously scheduled LWVIL events from March - May 1 have been cancelled. Please visit the LWVIL Events Calendar for the latest information.

The League of Women Voters Illinois Education Fund (LWVILEF) encourages the informed and active participation in government by providing civic education and voter services. Make a difference today for you and your community with a  tax-deductible gift to support our work to defend democracy and empower voters.
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