Newsletter Highlights
82 Cook County League members gathered at Brookfield Zoo Chicago to elect new officers and plan for the 2025-26 year
Save the Date: Aug 9 Food for Thought
Join the Observer Corp--
A few hours work and a big impact
Explore Beaubien Woods on June 5th
| | | | | | Incoming President Diane Edmondson and outgoing president Cynthia Schilsky | | Dr. Mike Adkesson,President and CEO, Brookfield Zoo Chicago | |
Annual Meeting May 6, 2025
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League Members from across Cook County had a beautiful day to meet in the ITW White Oak Room at the Brookfield Zoo Chicago to plan for LWVCC 25-26 year. New officers were elected, a budget was passed, and the program was approved. A $2 per member PMP was also approved. See the reports of our Interest Groups and details of the budget and program at the LWVCC website HOME PAGE.
Our speaker, Dr. Mike Adkesson, President and CEO, Brookfield Zoo Chicago, began his talk by thanking the League for its support of the Forest Preserve Referendum in 2022. The Zoo resides on Forest Preserve land and the additional funds the Zoo receives are going to much needed infrastructure projects like updates to roofs, HVAC, and trucks.
The Zoo's Next Century Plan includes some amazing projects that will let visitors make connections to the natural world. The exhibits, such as the Tropical Forest and Seven Seas, will be immersive ecosystems creating more natural environments for the animals and the visitors. To read more about his talk, click HERE.
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Officers Elected
Newly Elected Officers
President Diane Edmundson
Vice-President Susan Gregory
Treasurer Trudy Turner
Directors: Pris Mims
Laura Davis
Jan Goldberg
Sandra Slayton
Continuing Officers
Vice President Kathi Graffam
Secretary Carolyn Consentino
Directors: Victoria Cerinich
Betty Hayford
Thanks to the Nominating Committee, chaired by Anne Yoshida, members Diane Hodges, Diane Edmundson and Kathi Graffam
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Save the Date: Food For Thought August 8, 2025
The Cook County League’s annual Food for Thought luncheon will take place on Friday, August 8 from 11:30 to 1:00 pm in downtown Chicago. The program will focus on the Public Health Departments within Cook County. Dr. Kiran Joshi, who heads up the Cook County Department of Public Health has confirmed his participation. Look for more details in upcoming emailed notices from the Cook County League, as well as information on the League website.
Jessica Vasquez Appointed Cook County Commissioner
Jessica Vasquez was appointed the new Cook County Commissioner for the 8th District on May 4th. She replaces Anthony Quezada who resigned because he was appointed the 35th Ward Alder, replacing Carlos Ramirez-Rosa who recently became the Superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District.
Pursuant to Cook County ordinances, the ward and/or township committee persons within the Commissioner district where there is a vacancy vote on whom should be appointed. The 8th Commissioner District is on the near northwest side of Chicago.
Ms Vasquez’s office, along with all the other County Commissioners, is up for election in 2026.
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LWVCC members observe and report on board and committee meetings of Cook County government entities to keep you informed.
To read more: LWVCC Observer Reports
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Help be the eyes and ears for the League and the public by becoming an Observer for one of the 3 governments the Cook County League follows: Cook County government, the Forest Preserves, and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD which is responsible for cleaning waste water and stormwater management).
The League will provide the training and pair you with an experienced observer initially. What is involved? Watching a meeting, taking notes, and then writing up the report that will be published on the Cook County League’s web site. Check out the OBSERVER PAGES for the latest reports which cover key aspects of the meetings.
All 3 governments record their meetings. You choose whether you attend the meeting in person, live stream the meeting, or watch the video at a time convenient for you within a few days of the meeting.
For Cook County government, the observers volunteer to follow one or more Board Committees. Some meet every month, others less often. They generally meet on a Tuesday or Wednesday during the day. There is at least one observer already for each of the Committees the regularly follows, so you would be sharing the observer duties with one or more others.
The Forest Preserve District government meets once a month (except August) on a Tuesday morning. The MWRD Board meets twice a month on Thursday mornings (only once in August). For both governments, you would be one of several people who observe and you determine how often you volunteer.
So, for each government, this would not be even a monthly commitment.
Questions or want more information? Ready to volunteer? Contact the League at info@lwvcookcounty.org and indicate which government(s) you are interested in.
| | Recent Observer Reports Highlights | | |
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
April 3, 2025
- After unsuccessful negotiations with the Cook County Office of the Independent Inspector General to renew its Intergovernmental Agreement for investigative services, the MWRD moved ahead to establish its own office and prepare to begin a search for an experienced person to lead the department. The board also approved the appointment of retired Cook County Inspector General, Patrick Blanchard, to work for the MWRD as the Interim Inspector General. Mr. Blanchard was in charge of the MWRD’s IIG responsibilities under the intergovernmental agreement until his retirement in late 2023.
- The board approved advertising for very high-skilled laboratories to respond to the MWRD’s request for analysis of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances and absorbable organic fluorine in wastewater samples. Will also test biosolids. Commissioner Steele said that only the best of the best labs can do this right now; which, down the road, might be worth bringing in-house
- At the March 20, 2025, Commissioner Garcia deferred two furnish and deliver contracts asking that Procurement look to see if the contracts can be “unbundled” to allow for small minority and women owned businesses to compete. At this meeting, he voted to approved the contracts after hearing that neither unbundling or changing from one to a two-year contract to meet the dollar threshold for furnish and deliver contracts to come under the diversity requirements of the District were not practical in this instance.
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Cook County Board of Commissioners
Technology & Innovation Committee
April 9, 2025
• All departments should be off the old mainframe by the end of July, 2025! The legacy mainframe dates to the 1970’s, and there is no manufacturer support or employees with knowledge, so this is a necessity.
• The new Integrated Property Tax System is expected to go live for all users (Assessor, Board of Review, Clerk, and Treasurer) on May 27 after all identified defects addressed and final testing and employee training completed.
• In response to questions from the Committee on whether there were any concerns about the rollout of the new Integrated Property Tax System and getting the 2nd installment tax bill out on time, Assessor’s Chief of Staff Scott Smith said that all offices are cooperating to test and respond quickly to any unforeseen circumstances.
• The new system will allow employees to go out to community meetings to assist tax payers by answering questions and helping them with tax exemptions. Also, the faster upload of data and improved presentation of data will be of benefit. For the first time, all the offices involved with the property tax system will be on the same system, ensuring the same data.
| | LWVCC Interest Groups keep members informed about important activities of our local government. | |
Upcoming Meetings
All Local League members are invited to participate in these interest group meetings
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Budget & Structure Tues., May 27, 10 am via Zoom
Criminal Justice Friday, May 29, 9 am via Zoom
Contact Jan Goldberg
Forest Preserve Friday, June 6, 8:30 am via Zoom
Contact Lauramdavis90@gmail.com
| | Criminal Justice Interest Group | | |
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Members met with the new State's Attorney's first assistant, Anna Demacopoulus, on April 15th. One of the main goals of the office is the prosecution of domestic violence. Children growing up in violent homes often perpetuate it. Ms. Demacopoulus would be glad to speak to Local Leagues.
- Members continued the court watching project on April 22nd. They attended detention hearings at the Main Criminal Courthouse. They saw that the hearings continue to be deliberative as directed under the SAFE-T Act.
- Our next book discussion will be on Thursday June 26 at 9AM via zoom. The book will be "just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson.
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Our next regular meeting will be on May 29, 2025 9 am via zoom.
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To participate in these meetings, please contact Jan Goldberg
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Forest Preserve Interest Group
Nature is our Business
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When was the last time you walked through one of the over 70,000 acres of the Forest Preserves of Cook County? Now is the time!
Thursday, June 5, 11:00 am–1:00 pm, Beaubien Woods
W Doty Ave S, southeast of E 130th St & S Ellis Ave Chicago, IL 60827
Join us for a guided tour of the beautiful Forest Preserve of Cook County walk through the Beaubien Woods on Chicago's south side.The Beaubien Woods is on the historic Underground Railroad path to freedom which we will talk about, along with ongoing efforts around community engagement. We will also explore existing nature and talk about ongoing restoration work here with one of the ecologists.
After the guided walk, we will meet at the picnic tables for a brown bag lunch and Q&A about the Forest Preserves. Space is limited and the walk is free. Register to attend HERE.
Next team meeting is Friday, June 6, 2025 - 8:30am on zoom. If interested, contact Laura Davis Lauramdavis90@gmail.com
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VOTE411 Training
Wed May 21 6:30pm - 8:00pm, Virtual
LWVIL
This year, LWVIL will transition to a new voter guide across the state: VOTE411. During this 90-minute virtual session, LWVUS VOTE411 Senior Manager Megan Brown will provide an introduction to the voter guide and a review of how the rollout in Illinois will progress. You must be a League member to attend. Register HERE
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LeTina Brady Pettis, from the Chicago League, has won the International Impact Book Award for her two children's books about voting aimed at 5-12 year olds, "I Want to Vote" and "I Voted".
| | Local League Upcoming Events | | |
Thursday, May 15, 6:30 - 8 pm In person
LWV Oak Park River Forest
Drinks and Dialogue
States vs Federal Law
Speaker: Dr. Steven Schwinn
Friendly’s Tap
6733 Roosevelt Road
Berwyn, IL 60402
No registration required
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2025-2026 Cook County League Board Members
OFFICERS: President: Diane Edmundson, Chicago; Vice-President, Kathi Graffam, LaGrange Area; Vice-President, Susan Gregory, Glenview-Glencoe; Secretary: Carolyn Cosentino, Homewood/Flossmoor; Treasurer: Trudy Turner, Evanston.
Board members: Victoria Cerinich, Palos-Orland Park Area; Laura Davis, Palatine; Jan Goldberg, LaGrange Area ; Betty Hayford, Evanston; Pris Mims, Chicago; Sandra Slayton, Homewood-Flossmoor
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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, political organization whose mission is to encourage informed and active participation in government; to increase understanding of major policy issues, and to influence public policy through education and advocacy. Membership in the League is open to anyone regardless of gender, race, or ethnic group.
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League of Women Voters of Cook County
332 S. Michigan Ave. Suite 634, Chicago, IL 60604
312-939-5935
lwvcookcounty.org
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