Newsletter - September 2022

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Newsletter Highlights

Support the Forest Preserve Referendum on Nov 8.

Go to the LAST PAGE of the ballot.

Program speakers for Forest Preserve referendum and Pretrial Fairness Act for your local events

Request Your Vote by Mail application now

November 8 Election

The LWV Cook County and all the Cook County league chapters have voted to support the Forest Preserve referendum that will be on the ballot in November.

The Cook County Forest Preserves is a separate unit of government that civic leaders over a 100 years ago had the foresight to protect and because they are a separate unit of government, they need to come to the voters to ask for more money

Supporting the forest preserve referendum will offer Cook County residents the following benefits:

* clean water and capture water and thereby minimize flooding

* clean air and minimize pollution

* protect wildlife habitat and native flora and fauna and remove invasive species

* offers jobs for our communities particularly in disadvantaged communities

The minimal increase to property taxes of about $20 a year for an average Cook County homeowner pays dividends to all of Cook County with a healthier environment.

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Join the Chicago LWV for a Guided Walk

through Schiller Woods

Learn about the resources and benefits for our County.

Wednesday, October 12 at 10am

We’ll meet at Schiller Woods (W Irving Park Rd, east of Des Plaines River Rd). On this walk, you will visit the Serpent Twin Mound (Pokto Činto), a contemporary earthwork by Indigenous artist and architect Santiago X. This monument reflects the ancestral tradition of mound building and reflects on the rich cultural history of Indigenous place-making here in Illinois and beyond. Click HERE for more information and to register for this walk.

Help make democracy work, be an election judge.

Suburban residents, go to the Cook County Clerk's Website for information on being an Election Judge or Polling Place Technician.
Chicago residents go to the Board of Elections Serving as a Judge Website for information on being an Election Judge
Chicago residents go to the Board of Elections Coordinator Website for information on being an Election Coordinator

Voter Information

Cook County Voters Plan Your Vote

By Tuesday October 11 by mail or in person
Online by October 23
Cook County
City of Chicago

Vote by Mail

Send your ballot application now
Cook County Application
City of Chicago Application

Early Voting Suburbs

Wed., Oct. 12 69 W. Washington, suburban court houses
Mon., Oct. 24 Suburban early voting sites

Early Voting Chicago

Thurs., Sept. 29 191 N. Clark
Mon., Oct. 24 Site in all 50 wards

View the Illinois Voter Guide. The one-stop spot for all your voting information!

Ballot Information

View the Candidates for Cook County and MWRD Offices

Candidate Information on the WTTW Video Voter Guide should be available Oct.10. U.S. Senator, Congressional candidates for districts in the viewing area, and all Cook County and MWRD candidates are to be included.

Referenda on the ballot are an amendment to the Illinois Constitution and an increase to the property tax levy by the Cook County Forest Preserves (last page of the ballot).

See the LWVCC website Voter Information Page for detailed information about the upcoming election.

Criminal Justice Interest Group

LWVCC Partners with Civic Federation for Bond Court Observations

Pretrial Fairness Act Comparison

The LWVCC's Criminal Justice Group has just completed a 6 week project in partnership with the Civic Federation to compare pre-trial hearings before and after the Pretrial Fairness Act takes effect January 1, 2023. Fourteen League members listened in on 25 sessions of Central Bond Court along with 2 members of the Civic Federation. We heard over 1000 cases. The Federation will be writing a report very soon with our findings.

These findings will be compared to those we find in 2023 when we repeat the project. This time there will be no monetary bail.

Our members were impressed with the professionalism of all 6 Bond Court Judges, as well as the professionalism of the attorneys on both sides. Many cases involved unlawful possession of a weapon after a traffic stop. Almost all cases involved some amount of monetary bond.

For questions or to sign up for the next round of observations, contact Jan Goldberg at

janbeatlesfan66@gmail.com

Pretrial Fairness Act

Local League Programming

As Local leagues plan their programs for fall and winter consider hosting an excellent speaker, Sarah Staudt of the the Appleseed Center for Fair Courts. She will explain the new Pretrial Fairness Act that will be effective Jan. 1, 2023

Her email is sarahstaudt@chicagoappleseed.org

LWVCC observes several of the Cook County Board, committee, and agency meetings each month. To read more: LWVCC Observer Reports

Local League Upcoming Events

Saturday, Sept. 17, 8:30 -10:30 am 12, 2022 7:00 to 8:30 pm

LWV Chicago sponsors the South Shore Beach Cleanup.

71st Street Beach/South Shore Beach Meet at the snack bar.

Family and friends are welcome

Wednesday, Sept 21 7pm

LWV OPRF and the Forest Park Public Library present

No Local News is Bad News Virtual Presentation

A discussion on the vital role that local journalism plays in preserving healthy democracies, building communities, and why not-for-profit community news centers may be the future of the industry.

The panel will feature speakers from the Wednesday Journal and Growing Community Media including: Dan Haley, Editor and Publisher, Michael Romain, Editor and Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Melissa Elsmo, Editor of Oak Park Eats and Donor Relations Manager.

Free, open to the public,

Please Register by 4 pm on September 21 in order to receive the Zoom invite.

Thursday, September 22, 7:30 p.m. CT –via Zoom

The League of Women Voters Lake Michigan Region

Learn about the issues impacting Lake Michigan and Illinois.

Topics: Climate Change, PFAS, Invasive Species, Coal Ash

Thursday, Sept. 22, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Join the LWV Chicago for an ERA Postcard Party

Chase Cafeteria, 10 S. Dearborn St.

Prepare postcards inspiring Nevada voters to add the ERA to their state constitution this November. No registration necessary.

Thursday, Oct. 6, 6:00 pm - 7 pm In-person and virtually

LWV Chicago and the Union League Club of Chicago

We will gather at the Union League Club (65 W Jackson Blvd) to discuss the Cook County Forest Preserves and the upcoming referendum regarding Preserve funding. Register

Monday, Oct. 27, 7 pm Park Ridge City Council Meeting

Park Ridge City Hall, 505 Butler Place

LWV Park Ridge presents their findings on why there aren't more people running for the Park Ridge City Council. See their Website for more information.

2022-2023 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: Nancy Clark, Oak Park/River Forest.

Board members: Laura Davis, Palatine; Diane Edmundson, Chicago; Jan Goldberg, LaGrange Area ; Georgia Gebhardt, Wilmette; Betty Hayford, Evanston; Karin Hribar, Arlington Heights

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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.

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League of Women Voters of Cook County

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

312-939-5935 x127

lwvcookcounty.org