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Happy National Women's History Month
On Wednesday I had the opportunity to go to Springfield to rally for stricter gun legislation. It was heartbreaking to listen to the speakers sharing their stories about losing their children to gun violence. While gathering outside the House chambers, I talked with some mothers wearing shirts covered with photographs of their sons and children from their neighborhood who were tragically gunned down in the streets. It was a sad, moving experience that brought both tears and hugs. We did celebrate when it was announced that the SB 1657 requiring gun dealers to be licensed passed and would be sent on to the Governor for his signature. The House also passed bills to raise the age from 18 to 21 to buy assault weapons, cleared a measure to ban bump stocks and other modifications, and a required 72 hour waiting period to purchase an assault weapon.
Please mark your calendars with all of the programs we have planned for you this March. Check out the One Earth Film Festival. Several films are showing around the neighborhood. The League is a financial sponsor.
The Westchester Library will hold a candidates forum for the 7th Congressional District with Rep. Danny Davis and Anthony Clark on Sunday, March 11 at 2:00.
Our Second Tuesday presentation will feature Colleen M. Sutkus, the Education and Training Director from Sarah's Inn. She will share Sarah's Inn initiatives such as internships, curriculum resources and partnerships with community stakeholders for earlier intervention.
The Oak Park Library and the League are co-sponsoring a presentation at the Main Library on Sunday March 18 at 2:00. Cynthia Scaffer will present her book, "Mollie's War". She collaborated with her 91-year-old mother to write the book based on the letters that her mother sent home while serving as a WAC in Europe during World War II.
On March 22, at 5:30 the Naperville Chapter of "American Promise" will offer an insight into the effect of dark money in politics and overturning Citizens United at Drinks and Dialogue at Skrine Chophouse. They are working to build support for the 28th Amendment to overturn Citizens United.
On Tuesday, March 27, at 7:00, at the Township Senior Center, Rosemary Heilemann from the Deerfield-Lincolnshire League and Joyce Williams from the LaGrange Area League will offer a powerpoint presentation and discussion on the history of the Electoral College and the myths and facts about the abolishment of the Electoral College.
Watch your emails from LWV-US for a call for volunteers at the Convention in Chicago June 28- July 1 at the Hilton Hotel on South Michigan Ave. There will be a sign-up genius for volunteer in registration, hospitality, ushers, greeters, and many other opportunities.
The Centennial Committee is looking for volunteers to help with projects leading up to the 100th birthday of the League of Women Voters in 2020. Please contact Mary Kubasak at [email protected] to volunteer.
Be sure to vote in the March 20th primary.
Marge Massarello
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On Tuesday, March 13, Colleen Sutkus, Director of Training and Education at Sarah's Inn, will discuss "Ending Domestic Violence". The program goes from 9:30-11:00am at the Nineteenth Century Club, 178 Forest Avenue. Read more about the program here. Join the conversation and bring a friend!
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On Thursday, March 22, from 5:30-7:00pm, the Naperville Chapter of "American Promise" will offer an insight into the effect of dark money in politics and overturning Citizens United at Drinks and Dialogue. They are working to build support for the 28th Amendment to overturn Citizens United. Invite a friend to join you at Skrine Chops House, 7230 Madison, Forest Park for this discussion.
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Electoral College Presentation
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LWV US has a position on the abolishment of the Electoral College. LWVIL supports this position and all local leagues are being asked to make this a program priority for the upcoming year. On Tuesday, March 27, Rosemary Heilemann from LWV Deerfield-Lincolnshire and Joyce Williams from LWV LaGrange, will offer a powerpoint presentation and discussion on the history of the Electoral College and the myths and facts about the abolishment of the Electoral College. Please share this invitation with your friends and neighbors to join you at 7:00pm at the Oak Park Township Senior Room, 130 S. Oak Park Ave. You can read up on the Electoral College and the LWV US position here.
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7th Congresstional District Candidate's Forum
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Interested in hearing from the two Democratic candidates for the 7th Congressional District before the March 20 Primary? The Westchester Library, 10700 Canterbury St., Westchester, will hold a Candidate's Forum for candidates Congressman Danny Davis and Anthony Clark on Sunday, March 11 at 2:00pm. Space may be limited so please come early.
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Women's History Month Luncheon
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On Sunday, March 11, a group of north shore Leagues are sponsoring a Women's History Month Luncheon. The topic will be "This is What Activism Looks Like" and will be held at the Wilmette Golf Club Restaurant, 3900 Fairway Drive, Wilmette. For more information and to register, read more
here.
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Creating a More Perfect Democracy
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In the coming months, we will share a series of articles covering some of the history of the League of Women Voters formation, as well as the women's suffrage movement that led to the enactment of the 19th
Amendment (August 26, 1920) and the creation of the League in Chicago on February 14, 1920. Read the first article here. And start counting up to 100!
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| You should have received an email from LWV Cook County with information on the upcoming March 20 Primary Cook County candidates. First, go to BallotReady to review the list of candidates on your ballot. Second, LWV Cook County partnered with WTTW to put together a Video Voter's Guide. You can see three minute videos for Cook County candidates on the site. Also, there are issues with a write-in campaign for the "Bradford Vacancy" on the MWRD ballot. Please read more about this on the LWV Cook County website. Information on judges are also on their website. Lots to think about before the March 20 Primary! |
| Our Great Decisions discussion groups continue to meet. If you haven't participated yet, there is still time. Check out the list of dates, locations, and topics here. |
LWV Chicago March Newsletter - Find out what our sister League to the east is doing
here.
LWV Glenview/Glencoe Newsletter - Northern sister League and their
newsletter.
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