November 2023

LWV of Illinois is looking for your support for our Campaign to Safeguard Democracy. Our goal is to raise funds for our get-out-the-vote efforts, statewide online voter guide, candidate forums, and campaigns to fight misinformation and disinformation. We are asking you to dig deep for us this year so we can support democracy in 2024 from a position of strength.

Online Giving

Set up a monthly gift or make a one-time gift today using our convenient online platform: LWVIL.org/donate.

Donate Appreciated Securities

By donating appreciated securities to the League of Women Voters of Illinois Education Fund, you can receive a tax deduction for the current fair market value of the asset while avoiding capital gains tax. Essentially, you can give more money to the League and less to taxes. Contact your brokerage/financial services company for more information.

Leverage Your IRA

Donors age 70.5 or older can transfer up to $100,000 annually from their IRA directly to the League of Women Voters of Illinois Education Fund without being subject to income taxes on the distribution. This effectively makes the distribution a deductible gift. Furthermore, if you are at an age where you must take a required minimum distribution (RMD), a gift directly from your IRA reduces the amount of the RMD that otherwise would be taxable income on a dollar-for- dollar basis. Contact your IRA administrator for more information.

Estate Plan Gifts

You can leave a strong legacy with an estate plan gift to the League. To make a gift of a specific amount or a percentage of your estate, work with your estate lawyer to draft or amend your estate plan. Additionally, you can name the League of Women Voters of Illinois as the beneficiary on funds, or individual stocks and bonds in your portfolio. Work with your investment advisor or the company that holds your portfolio to update your account beneficiary.

The League of Women Voters of Illinois (LWVIL) is a 501(c)(4), so gifts are not tax deductible. The League of Women Voters of Illinois Education Fund (LWVILEF) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization (EIN: 36-3037231). Please consult your tax advisor regarding tax deductibility.

Becky Simon, president

[email protected]

New Voter Registration Law Effective Jan. 1

Illinois bill SB2123, signed into law August 4, allows 16-year-olds to pre-register to vote, with their registration held in abeyance until they reach voting age—the minimum registration age was previously 17. This change goes into effect January 1, 2024, helping the League to pre-register more voters at our registration drives. 

Remember: 17-year-olds can register and vote in the March 19 Primary Election if they'll be 18 by the General Election on November 5, 2024.

Advocacy Continues After Bills Become Law

During the fall veto session, LWVIL supported important legislation to help preserve community mental health. Due to unnecessarily complex taxation wording in the Mental Health Act statute, the taxing authority of seven 708 Community Mental Health Boards that passed by referendum in the November 2022 election were at risk. 

Thanks to efforts by mental health coalitions around the state, including LWVIL, SB0690 passed the general assembly and fixed the problem, allowing the new boards to secure the funding needed to implement the mental health board activities.

What are 708 Boards?

708 Community Mental Health Boards evaluate needs, allocate funds, and coordinate a comprehensive system of services for mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders in order to benefit the citizens of a township.

Governed by the Illinois Community Mental Health Act, 708 Boards are unique to Illinois. They can be created under any unit of government and must be voted into existence. 708 Board funding is created through a small local property tax, and services may only be utilized by area residents. Currently, there are over ninety such boards in Illinois. 

These seven- to nine-member volunteer boards are appointed by the local government leader. Often, they are created by townships, and thus township supervisors appoint the board members. 

More and more communities have created grassroots teams working on creating even more 708 Community Mental Health Boards! Look for these to be on the ballot in 2024 and 2025. Communities that we are aware of are Downers Grove, Palatine, York, Wayne and Winfield Townships. If you are aware of others and need support, please email us at [email protected]. For more information, visit AdvocateFor708.org.

How Does Corruption Impact Democracy?

An analysis recently published by WBEZ shows that, while people may be more cynical, voter interest in Illinois state elections has only increased.

The article, written by Dave McKinney, features LWVIL President Becky Simon, who posits the following: 

“Corruption happens. But in spite of corruption on the part of individual elected officials, voters still have confidence in American democracy.

“That is what the League sees. That is why voters are going to the polls. They were voting that they had faith in our democracy.

“When corruption is exposed, voters are ready and eager to make their voice heard through the democratic process — through voting.”

Read the full article.

Get Ready for the 2024 Election Season

A key part of the League’s mission is to empower voters. Along with promoting and preserving voter access to the ballot, we supply reliable resources to educate voters before they cast their ballot.

During election season, LWVIL presents the Illinois Voter Guide. Voters can go to IllinoisVoterGuide.org to make their plan to vote. They can register to vote online. They can find out when and where to vote. They can apply for a vote by mail ballot. And, in any Illinois zip code, they can find 100% nonpartisan information about the candidates on their ballot. Plan to visit IllinoisVoterGuide.org before you vote in 2024.

The League also educates voters through nonpartisan candidate forums, hosting forums at the local, state and federal level. Be sure to tune in to learn more about the candidates running for office in your district.

Illinois’ General Primary Election will be held on March 19, 2024 and the General Election on November 5, 2024. Check out these upcoming dates and deadlines ahead of the Primary:

Get Informed at League Events

Leagues across the state regularly hold free educational events that are open to the public. Learn more about the issues you care about—sign up to attend an upcoming event!

Save the Date for Issues Briefing

Mark your calendars today! LWVIL's annual Issues Briefing will be held Saturday, February 24, 2024. Stay tuned for more information.