Newsletter -October 2024

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Newsletter Highlights

Early Voting Has Started -- Be informed about all the races on your ballot

Latinx Stewardship Day Possum Hollow Woods

Saturday October 19 10 AM

LaGrange Park

MWRD's 12th Annual Sustainability Summit

October 29 Stickney

YOU are invited: Cook County Interest Group meetings and Local League Events

throughout Cook County

LWVCC Interest Groups

All Local League members are invited to participate in these meetings

Criminal Justice Tuesday Dec 3, 9 am via Zoom

Contact Jan Goldberg

Budget & Structure Monday Dec 2, 1:30 pm via Zoom

Contact info@lwvcookcounty.org

IllinoisVoterGuide.org

Voting Information

The Cook County and MWRD candidates for the Nov 5th general election can be viewed at this Link . All races are contested, except Cook County Commissioner, 2nd District

Chicago School Board Voter Guide by Chalk Beat is available on the Sun Times/WBEZ Website

Plan Your Vote

Suburban Cook residents

To apply to Vote by Mail (and/or be on the Permanent Vote by Mail list) go to this LINK

Early Voting (when you can also register to vote) begins October 9 at 69 W. Washington pedway, Chicago, and the Suburban Courthouses. Expands to other locations on October 21. For more information go to this LINK

Election Day Voting 6am-7 pm

At your home precinct, Suburban Court Houses, and 69 W. Washington. For your home precinct go to this LINK

Chicago residents

To apply to Vote by Mail (and/or be on the Permanent Vote by Mail list) go to this LINK

Early Voting (when you can also register to vote) begins October 3 at the 191 W. Clark Supersite and at Chicago Board of Elections offices at 69 W. Washington, 6th floor. Expands to locations in all 50 wards on October 21. For more information go to this LINK.

Election Day Voting 6am-7 pm

At your home precinct, any early voting site, and 69 W. Washington. For your home precinct go to this LINK

See the Voter Info Page on our Website for more detailed information

Forest Preserve Interest Group News

On September 26, sixteen people met at Skokie Lagoons for a tour and kayak paddle as part of the continuing education regarding the Cook County Forest Preserves. IL Master Naturalist Gary Morrissey was our volunteer guide who shared the history of the lagoons which were originally Native Americans hunting grounds. The Lagoons are in the area that became the biggest Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) project. It was a nine-year project that transformed the Skokie marsh by moving millions of cubic yards of earth and planting 120,000 trees to create the amazing lagoons that we enjoy today. The walk took us to the old Nike Missile Site and then back where many of us kayaked around the beautiful lagoons.

STEWARDSHIP DAY

Saturday October 19 10 AM

LaGrange Park

The fourth annual Latinx Stewardship Day, a joint initiative by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and the Forest Preserves of Cook County, will take place on Saturday, October 19, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Possum Hollow Woods in La Grange Park.

Volunteers will participate in a series of activities that include the identification and mitigation of invasive species threatening the local ecosystem. Participants will gain valuable insight into sustainable gardening practices aimed at creating a healthier environment. They will also be removing invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle for a prescribed burn.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate together out in nature. Space is limited. Registration is required.

LWVCC Interest Groups keep members informed about important activities of our local government.

Budget & Structure Interest Group

Observing and Advocating for more transparent and efficient County government

It’s Budget Time for the

Cook County Governments

Cook County Government (which includes Cook County Health) has a fiscal year that starts December 1, while both the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and Forest Preserve District have fiscal years that start January 1. The upshot is that all 3 governments’ boards will be starting their process of reviewing proposed budgets,

meeting with departments to hear about accomplishments from this year and what they propose to do for next year that support their proposed budgets, proposing and voting on amendments to the proposed budgets, and then voting on the final budgets for the 2025 fiscal year

In recognition of how active the Cook County League is, we are invited by the Cook County Budget Department to attend a meeting of “good government groups” to get an overview and preview of the proposed budget that the President of the County Board will be submitting to that Board for this review and approval process. Members of the League’s Budget & Structure Group take the lead in observing the meetings that the Cook County Commissioners have with all the departments. We have found that this is a great way to learn about County government and get to know the leaders of this government. These meetings are far more than just about money, but reflect the leaders’ priorities.

The department meetings at Cook County take place from October 28 thru 31. So you can expect to read our Observer Reports on the Cook County League’s web site shortly after that. And look for more information about the budget and process in upcoming newsletters.

MWRD's 12th Annual Sustainability Summit October 29 Stickney

The MWRD’s 12th Annual Sustainability Summit is set for Tuesday, October 29 at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant from 10 am to noon and is open to the public. Presenters will provide information about green infrastructure and sustainable landscaping techniques to mitigate flooding and enhance water quality. Awards that highlight the best examples of innovations in green infrastructure and sustainable landscaping practices will be presented.

Criminal Justice Interest Group

The Group visited the Restorative Justice Court in Avondale on Sept. 13. All defendants were tasked with completing various drug addiction and/or mental health programs. Many had to write essays on how a felony conviction would affect their futures. It was a tremendously worthwhile visit!
Three League members attended a webinar hosted by the Illinois Pretrial Network on Oct. 8th that discussed the data compiled by the professors of Criminal Justice at Loyola University concerning the Pretrial Fairness Act.
Our next book discussion will be Oct. 25 at 9AM via zoom. The book is "One Nation Under Guns " by Dominc Erdozain
The next regular meeting will be Dec 3 at 9 am via Zoom.
To participate in either of these activities, please contact Jan Goldberg

LWVCC observes and reports on board and committee meetings of Cook County government entities to provide our members with an understanding of current issues. To read more: LWVCC Observer Reports

Highlights From Observer Reports

Cook County Board Of Commissioners Committee Meetings

September 17, 2024

HEALTH & HOSPITAL SYSTEM COMMITTEE

Birthday Health Screening Program. The members approved the amended resolution calling for an annual prostate and mammogram health screen at Cook County Health locations – which would be free to those without insurance or other coverages. Cook County Health’s, Dr. Fagan, noted that black males have a 60% higher mortality rate than white males, and over 16% of CC residents are age 65 or older.

Office of Behavioral Health – Department of Public Health

Both the Jail and the Juvenile Detention Center are developing more individual behavioral health treatment plans. 70% of those in the JDC are receiving therapy. The jail is housing more individuals charged with more serious offenses; therefore, an increased number are also receiving mental and drug therapy.

Public Defender’s Office

It was noted by the presenter that the Defender’s office is not a treatment provider, but does assist in identifying needs and getting clients help. It will soon launch a community assist center to provide case management and clinical services.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting

September 19, 2024

There was a long Commissioner discussion about the award of the 39th Street conduit rehabilitation to Michels Trenchless for a higher bid than Instituform, who bid $3 million less (the total bid was over $40 million), but for which Instituform did not make a good faith effort to comply with the MWBE requirements of the MWRD. The issue is that the MWRD must be fiscally responsible to taxpayers while at the same time requiring 12% MWBE participation. Coms. Davis and Garcia needed more questions answered before committing to the higher bid, and seven commissioners voted to delete the item from the agenda.

Local League Upcoming Events

Monday, October 28 7 - 8:30 pm In Person and Zoom

Glenview Glencoe LWV

Abolish the Electoral College: Elect the President by Direct Popular Vote

Glenview Public Library Community Room

1930 Glenview Road

Contact Sue Gregory for an invitation.

Saturday, November 9, 10:00 am

LWV Palos Orland Area

Q & A with IL State Senator Bill Cunningham

Palos Heights Parks and Recreation Center

6601 W. 127th St. , Palos Heights, IL. 60463

Open to the public, no registration required

Join us before the event at 9:30 for coffee and a sweet!

Tuesday November 12, Oct 7:00pm via Zoom

Evanston League

What Changed on November 5?

Speaker: Former Cook County Clerk David Orr

Tuesday November 12, Oct 7:00pm via Zoom

LWVIL

Observer Corp Training

League Members Only

Sunday, December 8 12-2 pm

Evanston LWV

The Electoral College and the Certification Process

Speaker: Dick Simpson

Cost $100 Fundraiser for Evanston LWV

Registration required

2024-2025 Cook County League Board Members

OFFICERS: President: Cynthia Schilsky, LaGrange Area; Vice-Presidents: Pris Mims, Chicago, Kathi Graffam, LaGrange Area; Secretary: Carolyn Cosentino, Homewood/Flossmoor; Treasurer: Trudy Turner, Evanston.

Board members: Victoria Cerinich, Palos-Orland Park Area; Laura Davis, Palatine; Jan Goldberg, LaGrange Area ; Sue Gregory, Glenview-Glencoe; Betty Hayford, Evanston; 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.

_________________________

League of Women Voters of Cook County

332 S. Michigan Ave. Suite 634, Chicago, IL 60604

312-939-5935 x127

lwvcookcounty.org