November 2024

The President Must Immediately Publish the Equal Rights Amendment

In the United States, women are still not guaranteed equal rights. We have seen the devastating consequences of this reality. Yet, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which will update the US Constitution to protect the equality of rights under the law regardless of sex, can be added to the Constitution with one action. With just months left in office, we are urging President Biden to act to ensure that the ERA is published. 

The ERA will protect against the rollback of rights, provide a vital tool for the judicial branch to decide sex discrimination cases, and pave the way for further legislative progress toward sex and gender equality. 

The 2024 election results were not friendly to women’s equality, and our future status in the country is at stake. It’s imperative that President Biden take urgent action to ensure the process of publishing the Amendment is completed since it has been fully ratified since 2020. 

Urge President Biden to instruct the US Archivist to certify and publish the ERA in the Constitution! Equality cannot wait.

Becky Simon

President

League of Women Voters of Illinois

From Funding to Equal Access: The State of Illinois’ Colleges

What’s going on with higher education in Illinois? Join us on Thursday, December 5 at 6:30 pm to hear from Ralph Martire, Professor of Public Policy at Roosevelt University and Executive Director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability. Register.

This virtual event is part of our Democracy and Equity Education Series, brought to you by LWVIL's Issues & Advocacy Committee.

More Upcoming Events

Local League Events

Find more events (and share your local League's events!) on the LWVIL website event calendar.

LWVIL Trainings

We encourage members to attend upcoming training sessions and watch past training recordings. Learn more.

A Safe and Secure Election

Thank you, Illinois Leaguers! So many people helped make the November 5 election a success. We owe huge gratitude to the people who made our elections run: the poll workers, election officials, election observers, postal workers, and volunteers. Thank you for all your dedicated work to power our elections this year. 

Our trusted election officials have been working to count ALL ballots, and November 19 (14 days after Election Day) was the final day of counting. The Illinois State Board of Elections will certify results by December 2.

The League is dedicated to our mission of defending democracy. As we move forward, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advocate for policies that uplift women and ensure equitable representation in all levels of government.

Issues & Advocacy Corner

LWVIL Lobby Corps

We are looking for a team of volunteer lobbyists dedicated to advancing LWVIL’s mission and priorities. The goal of LWVIL Lobby Corps will be to improve the League’s effectiveness as policy advocates and elevate the visibility and credibility of the League by fostering relationships with Springfield-based staff and legislators. Selected LWVIL member volunteers will represent the League’s interests to assigned state legislators by educating them on issues and encouraging them to take legislative action that are consistent with our principles and positions. Contact issues@lwvil.org to volunteer.

Defend Democracy Drop-Ins

November's Defend Democracy Drop-in topic is "Power of the Written Word." December's focus is the Equal Rights Amendment. View and download the resources.

Defend Democracy Drop-Ins are energizing meet-ups where League members and their friends can get together to take action on issues they care about. New topics will be provided monthly. If you missed the Lunch & Learn program rollout on September 16, you can watch the recording and review the PowerPoint materials.

Volunteer With Us 

Make a difference with your time! Please contact Kathy Cortez at kcortez@lwvil.org for more information about these roles:

• Issue Specialists who are interested in advancing government policy and/or funding for any of the following critical areas: 
• Pre-K through College Education 
• Healthcare Costs and Access
• ERA (Equal Rights Amendment)
• We are also seeking volunteers to assist with issue education events and Lunch & Learns for as few or as many sessions as your time allows. 

Issues & Advocacy Office Hours

Kathy Cortez, LWVIL Vice President of Issues & Advocacy, holds virtual open office hours on the second Tuesday of each month from 11:00 am to noon. November's meeting will highlight local League participation in the GVP Study. Office hours are designed to answer any questions League members may have, provide guidance, discuss positions, and talk about the process for studies and Program updates.

Please use this link to join: https://zoom.us/j/95462852966?pwd=vpngsgus1FdVKDZwda4WELiBpjRrsE.1  

LWVIL Board & Bylaws

Seeking Board Members for 2025–2027

The Nominating Committee is in full swing in the recruiting process for candidates for the 2025–2027 LWVIL Board of Directors.

We all have special skills, talents and ideas to bring to the table, but the most important thing you need to serve on the Board is an unwavering dedication to the League!

Take your experience and expertise to the next level, and apply to join the LWVIL 2025-2027 Board of Directors for a biennium of continued growth and expansion. Work with League leaders from around the state as we continue to build LWVIL to be the best resource possible for local Leagues and our communities. With virtual monthly meetings, it has never been easier!

Share your passion and drive with LWVIL. Take the first step and complete this brief application today!

You can also contact the Nominating Committee at lwvilnominations@lwvil.org.

Reviewing LWVIL Bylaws

The LWVIL Bylaws Committee is in the process of reviewing the current LWVIL Bylaws. In addition to working through updates related to the LWVUS Transformation, the Bylaws Committee is requesting input from local Leagues. Please send comments, requests for clarification or updates to be considered regarding the LWVIL Bylaws to lwvilsecretary@lwvil.org by December 31.

Investing in Voter Education

In the past year, the generosity of our members and friends helped us raise over $58,000 for our Campaign to Safeguard Democracy. These contributions had tremendous IMPACT, allowing us to invest in:

• Two nonpartisan online voter guides used by over a million Illinois voters (Illinois Voter Guide and VOTE 411)
• Five ‘Get Out the Vote’ billboards reaching 1.9 million viewers
• 16,000 ‘Get Out the Vote’ postcards powered by Smart Voter Data encouraging informed voting
• A statewide campaign to fight misinformation and disinformation

This year, we are aiming to raise $75,000 from our generous supporters. That’s where you come in! We hope you can help us meet this critical goal. Your donation will allow us to hire essential staff to support voter guides and provide vital services across Illinois as we approach the spring consolidated elections.

Together, we can expand voter education and create innovative ways to engage voters across Illinois. Donate today.

Local League Shout-Outs

Congratulations to LWV Oak Park-River Forest

LWV Oak Park-River Forest is our newest Centennial League! President Jane Hastings presided over the Centennial Gala at the Oak Park Century Club on October 20.

A Special Voter Registration Event

LWV Wheaton registered new voters at a November 4 naturalization ceremony at Cantigny Park. The new citizens were from 31 different countries, and they were all given information on how to vote in the November 5 election.

Submit Your League's Photos

We love to see the smiling faces of League members! Help LWVIL elevate and share the hard work of our members by submitting photos of your local League's activities.

All photo submissions will be added to our photo library. They may be used in LWVIL marketing and communications materials, including possible placement on the LWVIL website and social media platforms.

Members power the League! Thank you for your time and donations.