Newsletter -September 2026

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Newsletter Highlights


National Registration Day September 15th

Be sure all your friends and family are registered.


Elections Are Secure


Local Leagues Start the Year with Lots of Activities. Check out Local League Events Below.


Voting Information available on LWVCC Website

We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.


Dolly Parton

Election News

THE DATES

Now: Request Your Vote By Mail Ballot

September 24: Early Voting Begins Chicago

October 7: Early Voting Begins Suburbs

October 19: Mail Your Vote By Mail Ballot,

Better Yet, Put It In A Drop Box If You Can

Nov. 3: General Election
 

Early Voting


Chicago September 24

  • Starts Sept. 24: Supersite, 137 S. State; Board Office,  69 W. Washington, 6th floor
  • ​ Starts Oct. 19: sites at all 50 wards
  •  See Chicago Early Voting


Suburban Cook County October 7

  • Oct. 7: 69 W. Washington Pedway; Bridgeview, Markham, Maywood, Rolling Meadows, and Skokie Court Houses
  •  Oct 19 All other County sites  
  • See Suburban Cook Early Voting


Apply for Vote By Mail Ballot by October 29


Chicago Vote-by-Mail


Suburban Cook Vote-by-Mail

Elections Are Secure

Interesting Facts


The Heritage Foundation documented cases of voter fraud between 1982 -2025. They found 100 cases of non-citizens voting, .000008% of more than 1.3 billion votes cast.



The Brookings Institute reported on their study of vote by mail in the 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022 elections. Between 6 and 46 cases of mail voting fraud in each election, 4 cases out of every 10 million votes cast, .000043%

Voting by Mail Still a Good Option

Help spread the word that voting by mail is still a safe and secure option, despite efforts that have been made to create doubts and confusion. The League of Women Voters has been leading the charge to keep it a good option in a case in the District Court in Massachusetts. For up-to-date information on the status of the court case, go to the LWVUS newsroom: https://www.lwv.org/library/newsroom.



If You or Others Are Concerned about Election Security

Become a poll worker and help make this election secure. You will see all the checks that are in place to ensure only eligible voters vote and that all their votes are counted.  To find out more and sign up:

Suburban Cook County County Clerk's Website

Chicago:  Chicago Elections Board Website


Cook County Clerk

The Cook County Clerk's latest newsletter addressed the issue of election security. Here is an excerpt from the newsletter: "As Election Day approaches, you may hear speculation, conflicting information, or misinformation about voting. The Clerk’s Office is the election authority for suburban Cook County, and we remain your trusted source for accurate, up-to-date information about our elections and your ballot.

If you see or hear something that raises questions, go directly to the Cook County Clerk. Visit cookcountyclerk.com/trustedsource for facts about our election processes, safeguards, and security."


You can read the entire newsletter at https://www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/. To sign up to receive future newsletters via email, go to https://www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/clerks-office-newsletter-signup. 

Vote 411.org











Cook County Governments Candidate Information will be added to Vote411 on September 24.

  • Candidates for Cook County and MWRD offices
  • Candidate Reponses to LWVCC questionnaire.
  • Judicial Candidates
  • Judges up for retention.

Ranked Choice Voting

Learn more about this alternative for voting. Watch the video, join the discussion

Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, 6:00 pm

Oak Park River Forest LWV

Discussion of Ranked Choice Voting

RSVP on Eventbrite Page

Watch Video “The Battle for Ranked Choice Voting” before meeting

Take a break from the elections and

 walk in the woods.

League of Women Voters of Cook County is sponsoring a Walk in the Woods (or Savanna or Prairie)! Monday Sept 28 9:00 am - 11:00 am Somme Woods Walk (entrance is off of Dundee Rd just east of Waukegan Rd). FREE!

 Reserve a spot by emailing Lauramdavis90@gmail.com


For background, LWV held a talk about Cook County Forest Preserves and Somme Woods at Northbrook Library. View the video HERE

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

Upcoming Meetings

All Local League members are invited to participate in these interest group meetings

Budget & Structure Tuesday, Oct. 6, 10 am via Zoom

Contact info@lwvcookcounty.org


Criminal Justice Tuesday, Sep. 22, 9 am via Zoom

Contact Jan Goldberg


Forest Preserve Monday, Oct. 5, 8:30 am via Zoom

Contact Lauramdavis90@gmail.com

Budget and Structure Interest Group


We Learn, We Report, We Make a Difference

Cook County Property Tax

What you can learn from the 2nd installment tax bills:

  •  How much of the tax payment is going to each of the separate taxing disctricts for your property.
  •  Compares those amounts to the 2024 tax bill
  •  How much of the tax is going to pension funds
  • More than half of the total tax bill will undoubtedly be going to the school districts in which the property is located
  • Close to a third will be going to the local governments: municipal, park district, library district, etc.
  •  Only about 10% of the remaining amount is attributable to the governments of Cook County, the Forest Preserve, and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District combined.  


MWRD News

Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM) and MWRD: Defining Critical Roles

MWRD President Kari K. Steele and DWM Commissioner Randy Conner have joined in a video to explain how their two agencies' work intersects to protect Chicago's precious natural resource. 


The video, Water in Chicago: Where Does it Come From? Where Does it Go?, is now streaming on the MWRD's website explaining how the two agencies manage Chicago water.

 

Publications from the MWRD

Green Infrastructure Community Guide

This award-winning guide equips municipal leaders, planners, public works directors, engineers, staff, and other decision makers with valuable information for incorporating green infrastructure into their communities to better manage stormwater. Read here.


Flood Response Resource Guide: What to Do and Where to Get Help  

This resource guide provides clear information and practical tools to help residents recover and prepare for the future when storms and flooding occur. Read here

Cook County Health News


Changes to Medicaid are Coming - Please Share in Your Church and Community Organizations

Cook County Health is asking: If you or someone you know or care for receive Medicaid benefits, there are important changes you need to know about.  

Starting Jan. 1, 2027, some enrollees will need to meet new work, education or community service requirements to keep their coverage. They will also have to reapply for Medicaid every six months, instead of once a year. 


These new federal requirements will apply to individuals in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expansion population, also known as ACA adults, who: 

       are ages 19 to 64, 

      do not receive Medicare, and 

do not have a dependent child age 18 or younger in their home. 



While some Medicaid enrollees may be exempt from work requirements, it’s important to be aware of these changes and how they might affect you. You can update it here. 

For more information, visit www.getmedicaidfacts.com.  

Forest Preserve Interest Group


Nature is our Business

Nine people enjoyed the beautiful Orland Grasslands in Homewood Flossmoor on Sunday, August 23. On a picture perfect day, we walked the lovely and peaceful expanse of grasslands where volunteers have worked to restore it over the last 24 years.   


The next team meeting is Monday, Oct. 5, 2026 at 8:30 am via Zoom.

Contact:

Lauramdavis90@gmail.com

 

Criminal Justice Interest Group

  • An Electronic Monitoring Task Force has been mandated by the Illinois Supreme Court. No word yet on any recommendations coming from that group.


  • Voting on Commissioner Stamp's resolution about oversight at the Cook County Jail will take a bit longer than we thought. It was sent to 2 committees, the Health Committee and the Criminal Justice Committee. When we see the final product we can decide whether to send comments in a letter to the Commissioners.


  • Our next book discussion will be on Thursday Oct. 29 at 10:30 AM via zoom. NOTE the time change. The book is "Back from the Brink" by Peter Moskos. It examines how NYC worked with police to solve its crime problems.


  • Our next regular meeting is on Sept. 22, 9AM via zoom. 


  • To participate in these meetings, please contact Jan Goldberg


LWVCC Observer Corp

LWVCC members observe and report on board and committee meetings of Cook County government entities to keep you informed.



To read more: LWVCC Observer Reports

Additional Observers are needed for Cook County,

the Forest Preserve, and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District meetings. Call or email the League at 312-939-5935 or info@lwvcookcounty.org to find out more.

 

Local Leagues Upcoming Events

Tues., Sep. 15, 2026, 5:30 pm In Person

LWV/W-N-K

Whine with IL. State Senator Laura Fine (SD 9)

Winnetka Public Library Lloyd Room

768 Oak St. Winnetka

Free Open to the public, registration required HERE


Thur., Sep. 17, 2026, 6:30 pm In Person

Oak Park River Forest LWV

Getting Out the Vote: Past Gains, Current Landscape, What’s Ahead

Speakers: Jeanne Schultz Angel, Edmund Michalowski, E.J. Fagan

Oak Park Public Library

834 Lake Street, Oak Park

Free - Open to the Public


Thurs., Sep. 17, 2026, In Person

LWV Palos Orland

A Republic If You Can Keep It

Faculty Discussion Department of Political Science

Moraine Valley Community College  11 am- 1 pm

Building L, Library and Building U, Student Union

9000 W. College Pkwy Palos Hills

Free and Open to the Public


Fri., Sep. 18, 2026 6:00 pm In Person

LWV Chicago

Woman Made Gallery's Makers and Shakers Bash Honoring Jane Ruby

Morningstar 22 W. Washington St. Chicago

Information and Registration: HERE


Wed., Sep. 23 , 2026, 12:00 pm Via Zoom

LWVIL Lunch & Learn

The Voter Rights Act: What it says, What would result, and Why Illinois will introduce its own Voting rights Act

Speaker: Barb Laimins, LWV Wheaton

See the LWVIL website for more information and registration.

 

Tuesday, Sep. 26 7:00 pm In person and Zoom

LWV Palatine, Barrington and Schaumburg Areas

The Financial Impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Speaker: Tim Kurtz, CFP

Schaumburg Township District Library

130 S. Roselle Road Schaumburg

Register HERE


Wed., Sep. 30, 2026, 7:00 pm In Person

LWV Glenview- Glencoe

Understanding Voting Rights

Speaker: Edwin Yohnka, Director of Communications ACLU

Glenview Public Library

1930 Glenview Road, Glenview

Register HERE.

 

Sat. Oct 3 and Sun. Oct 4, 2026

LWV Chicago

Democracy at Risk Film Festival

Gene Siskal Film Center, 164 N. State Chicago

Check HERE for more information and registration

  

Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, In Person

LWV Palos Orland

Screening of “The Librarians”

Moraine Valley Community College  

9000 W. College Pkwy Palos Hills

 For more information see HERE

 

Tuesday, Oct. 13 5:00 pm In person

LWV Palatine, Barrington and Schaumburg Areas

Vision and Voice: Honoring Native American Heritage: Confronting Injustice

Trickster Cultural Center

190 Roselle Road Schaumburg

Cost $20

Register HERE

Local Leagues in Action

Chicago League Supports ICE OUT!



Jane Ruby, president of the League of Women Voters of Chicago, was featured on the Chicago Tribune front page on Aug. 29, discussing the local League’s support of the "ICE OUT of Chicago Elections" pledge. She is one of the lead organizers of the Fair Elections Coalition of Chicago organizations that is urging Chicago alders to reject campaign contributions from companies allegedly tied to federal immigration crackdowns. The program is meant to start a conversation about the group’s bigger push in the outsized role of money in Chicago politics.


LaGrange League Encourages People to Run For Office


On August 6th, the La Grange Area LWV hosted “Considering a Run for Office?” to a room full of potential candidates, intent on taking notes and asking questions. Election law experts Ronette McCarthy and Tyler Smith from Ancel Glink presented an overview of the legal process to get on the ballot. 


A panel discussion followed, featuring the firsthand experience of four local elected officials who told of their experiences in running for office. Panelists included Beth Augustine, Village Trustee, Village of La Grange; Nicole Gilhooley, Village Trustee, Village of Brookfield; Heidi Rudolph, Village President, Village of Western Springs; and Shawn Kennedy, Lyons Township High School District 204 school board member. 



Petitions for the April 2027 election have begun to circulate! 
 


2026-2027 Cook County League Board Members 

OFFICERS: President: Diane Edmundson, Chicago; Vice-President,  Victoria Cerinich, Palos-Orland Area; Vice-President, Susan Gregory, Glenview-Glencoe; Secretary:  Hollis Burgess, Chicago; Treasurer: Trudy Turner, Evanston.

Board members:  Laura Davis, Palatine, Barrington & Schaumburg Areas; Jan Goldberg, LaGrange Area ; Kathi Graffam, LaGrange Area; Betty Hayford, Evanston; Pris Mims, Chicago; Sandra Slayton, Homewood-Flossmoor

____________________________

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

lwvcookcounty.org

League of Women Voters of Cook County | 332 S. Michigan Av., Suite 634 | Chicago, IL 60604 US

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