Newsletter -September 2024

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Newsletter Highlights

Opportunities to participate in our democracy-- Volunteer to be an Election Judge

Early Voting starts in October

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 Sept 24 9 am via Zoom

Contact Jan Goldberg

Budget & Structure Tuesday Oct 1, 10 am via Zoom

Contact info@lwvcookcounty.org

Help Democracy Work!

Volunteer to be an Election Judge or Poll Worker

Recruit your friends and family including students.

Tuesday November 5 ·

To work at a Suburban Cook County polling place, go to the Clerk's

Website

Election day judges and polling place technicians are needed.

To work at a Chicago polling place, go to the Board of Elections'

Website

Early Voting Officials, Election day judges and Coordinators needed.

Voting News

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

Vote By Mail and Early Voting Information

Photo by C, Schilsky

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, Chicago, pedway and the Suburban Courthouses, and expands to other locations on October 21. For more information go to this LINK

Photo by Trace Hudson

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, and expands to locations in all 50 wards on October 21 . For more information go to this LINK.

Leaguers Elan Long, Joanne Susmitch, Peggy Kell, and Linda Valentine. registered new voters at the OPRF League's Civic Service Learning Fair at Oak Park River Forest High School

Forest Preserve Interest Group Event

Thursday September 26

Skokie Lagoons

Guided walk and kayaking

Explore Skokie Lagoons, a Cook County Forest nature preserve in Glencoe and Winnetka, with Gary Morrissey, IL Master Naturalist

Thursday, September 26 - 10:00 to 11:30 am

Nauralist led walk

11:30 am Optional kayak/canoe paddle Fee will be charged

Meet at the Tower Road parking lot

Register at Info@cookcounty.org

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

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. Use this LINK to register.

Help reduce flooding. Sign up to receive Overflow Action Day Alert text messages year round from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District at the link below. When the MWRD announces an Overflow Action Day Alert, you will be reminded to reduce your use of water before, during and after a storm to help prevent excess water from entering local sewers. This includes not running the dishwasher or washing machine as well as toilet flushing if possible. Access the sign up form at this LINK

County Care, Cook County Health's Medicaid Insurance Program, won the National Association of counties award for addressing food insecurity. Food care strategies which began in 2023 include emergency meals, general nutrition programs, and medically tailored food. A total of 7,800 members have been engaged as of August 2024.

Criminal Justice Interest Group

The Group visited the Restorative Justice Court in Avondale on Sept. 13.
The statistics after almost one year of no bail in Illinois are good. Re-arrests and skipping court appearances are low. Cook County stats are produced by Judge Evans, but they are also checked by David Olson of Loyola University.
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 Sept 24 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

Local League Upcoming Events

September 16- 21

Chicago LWV

LWV Chicago presents Democracy at Risk: A Film Festival GENE SISKEL FILM CENTER, 164 N. State Street, Downtown Chicago

For more information see the LWV Chicago Website

Tuesday, September 17, 7:00pm

LaGrange Area League

Supreme Court Cases Review

Speaker: Jan Goldberg

LaGrange Park Public Library

555 N. LaGrange Road, LaGrange Park

Open to the public

For more information see the LWV LaGrange Area Website

Saturday, September 21 10:00 am Virtual

Chicago LWV

Briefing: Chicago's Elected School Board and Other Issues of Chicago Schools

Speaker: Becky Vevea, Bureau Chief, Chalkbeat Chicago

This event is free and open to the public.

Registration required.

Tuesday, Sept 24, 6:30 pm

LWV-OPRF

Fake News: The Evolution of Alternative Facts

Speaker: Michael A. Spikes

Oak Park Public Library, Main Branch

834 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL

Free and open to the public.

For more information see the LWV OPRF Website

Thursday, October 10, 9:30 am

LWV-OPRF

Highlights of the LWV OP/RF First 100 Years

19th Century Charitable Association

178 Forest Ave, Oak Park

Free and open to the public.

For more information see the LWV OPRF Website

Saturday, October 12, 10:00 am

LWV Palos Orland Area

Get Out the Vote Postcard Writing Party

Palos Heights Public Library

2501 S 71st Avenue, Palos Heights, IL. 60463

Open to the public, no registration required

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

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