After completing numerous wonderful projects over the past four years, the LWVIL Board’s 100th Anniversary Celebration Committee was officially dissolved in October 2020. Many thanks to Chair Mary Kubasak and each committee member for all they accomplished in recognition and observance of the Centennial of the League and the 19th Amendment.

The pandemic interrupted many of the committee’s plans, as countless in-person events were cancelled, including gatherings at Ravinia, Grant Park and the Palmer House. Undaunted, they continued their collaboration with the Chicago History Museum, which led to the beginning of an online exhibit.

In an effort to secure permanent recognition of five Illinois suffragist sites, the committee applied for Pomeroy Foundation Suffrage Markers on the National Votes for Women Trail. Thanks to their dedication, three of the markers have been approved and two are pending:

The committee also worked in support of national legislation to honor women on the quarter coin in every state. The bill has passed in the US House and is awaiting Senate approval.

The committee created a template to help local Leagues advocate for a resolution commemorating the centennial of the 19th amendment, resulting in close to 30 municipal proclamations around the state.

As a lasting gift, the committee completed a comprehensive, decade-by-decade history of the League’s past 100 years, accompanied by historical photos. They also also developed resources for local Leagues, including lists of speakers, books and movies.

Environment, Bill Koehl, Laura Davis, and Sara Bury

Climate change, water, plastics and pollution - many environmental issues impact local legislation. If you are interested in exploring our positions on these issues, please email [email protected] to join the Environmental Google Group.

Gun Violence Prevention, Jim McGrath

LWVIL issued a Time for Action in mid-October asking members to contact local school boards in support of an Illinois Association of School Boards Resolution making it unlawful for a gun owner to leave a firearm unsecured when anyone under the age of 18 might have access to the gun. In Rock Island County, residents voted 85 percent in favor of a ballot proposition that asked, “Should the Illinois General Assembly protect a citizen’s right to keep and bear arms as defined by the second amendment of the United States Constitution?” President elect Joe Biden’s written plan for gun violence prevention includes several items that were passed by the House but never considered by the Senate. If you are interested in receiving gun violence prevention updates, please email to [email protected] to join the GVP Google Group.

Money in Politics, Donna Limper

We are starting a Money in Politics Google Group to work on campaign finance and ethics issues at both the state and national level. One of our initiatives will focus on developing a presentation to educate citizens on the For The People Act, which is supported by LWVUS. We will bring the League's nonpartisan lens to the task. Please email [email protected] to join the Money in Politics Google Group.

Redistricting, Paula Lawson

When US Census data is released in 2021, it will be used to draw the district boundaries for many federal, state and local legislative bodies. It is important for community groups to define their community and protect against gerrymandering by playing an active role in 2021 redistricting.

We are working with CHANGE Illinois and Representable to protect community representation with their We Draw the Lines Community Mapping Tool. This mapping tool makes it possible for communities to present legislators with a precise definition and map of their community.

We encourage local Leagues to get involved in community mapping. We'll offer a training session for We Draw the Lines early in 2021 and cover the topic during the Issues Briefing. Email [email protected] if you would like to participate.

Although tested by COVID-19 and a USPS crisis, our democratic voting systems prevailed this November. Armed with an expanded voting law from the Illinois General Assembly and a cadre of dedicated election workers across the state, Illinois Election Authorities were able to accommodate more voters than ever before. All votes will be counted.

The national turnout is projected to be 66.7% of eligible voters, the highest rate since 1900, when it reached 73.7%, and women and minorities couldn’t vote. This compares to a 60.1% turnout in 2016.

“The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history,” according to a joint statement from the Elections Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council and the Election Infrastructure Sector Coordinating Executive Committee. “All of the states with close results in the 2020 presidential race have paper records of each vote, allowing the ability to go back and count each ballot if necessary...There is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes, or was in any way compromised.”

State program planning is the primary means for shaping our public policy program, culminating with the adoption of the 2021-23 LWVIL program at the state Convention in June.

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.