Newsletter -October 2026

View as Webpage

Follow us on Facebook and our Website

Newsletter Highlights

Early Voting - October 19 - All City and Suburban Sites

Be An Election Day Hero

Cook County Budget Process Begins

Voting Information available on LWVCC Website

Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another, this country, and this world.

Sharon Salzberg

Election News

THE DATES

October 19: Early voting in suburbs and Chicago

Mail your ballot back or drop at an early voting site

Nov. 3: General Election

Be an Election Hero!

Judges are needed in Chicago and the northern suburbs.

Poll watching on Election day: Check with your Local League or LWVIL

Early Voting

Chicago Started September 24

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

Suburban Cook County Started 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

Vote By Mail

Apply Now for your ballot

Chicago Vote-by-Mail

Suburban Cook Vote-by-Mail

Be sure it's returned in time

Mail it back before October 24 or

Have the envelope postmarked at the Post Office window or

Deposit it at a secure drop box. Check our Website for dates and locations.

Take it with you to vote in person

You can turn in your ballot to election judges and instead vote in person during Early Voting or on Election Day.

If do not have the ballot, you can still go to vote in person, as long as the system shows your VBM ballot has not been returned. In Chicago and Suburban Cook, you will be asked to sign an affidavit that you have not used your VBM ballot.

VOTE411.org

Vote411.org has the candidate information you need, including Cook County Governments Candidate Information

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

Here Come the Judges

There are 60 judicial contests on our ballots!

Here are sources to help you make choices.

Injustice Watch Recommended by the Cook County League

VoteforJudges.org

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 Monday, Nov. 9, 3 pm via Zoom

Contact info@lwvcookcounty.org

Criminal Justice Tuesday, Nov. 24, 9 am via Zoom

Contact Jan Goldberg

Forest Preserve Wednesday, Nov. 4, 8:30 am via Zoom

Contact Lauramdavis90@gmail.com

Budget and Structure Interest Group

We Learn, We Report, We Make a Difference

Budget Time for Cook County Government

Using one-time fixes, the Cook County President presented a proposed 2027 budget of $9.69 B to the Cook County Board without any tax or fee increases or layoffs. The President warned, however, that these were one-time fixes and some very tough decisions will be needed to be made for the 2028 budget.

Total budget of $9.69 B (a slight reduction from the 2026 budget of $10.12 B): $9.16 B of operating and $533 M of capital costs.
Federal changes to Medicaid coverage and reductions to Obamacare health insurance is leading to more uninsured patients which Cook County Health will continue to serve as the one ultimate safety-net health care system in Illinois
There is ongoing litigation involving revenues from the State for transportation, of which about $250m annually the County had been using for administration of laws related to transportation and vehicles. Thus far, the courts have ruled that that money may only be used for actual roads. So instead, these administrative costs must be covered by the County’s General Fund unless and until the County’s appeals are successful.
Growing payroll, benefits, and pension liabilities
Public comment hearings on Oct. 15, 12:00pm and 5:00pm
Meetings of the Finance Committee of the Cook County Board with the County departments and elected officials, Oct. 27 thru 30

For more detail, see the Budget and Structure Group Report

Cook County Health News

CountyCare Earns Four Stars for Health Plan Quality

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) recently awarded CountyCare a four-star rating for 2026-2027, making it the highest-rated Medicaid managed care plan in Illinois for the third consecutive year. CountyCare, operated by Cook County Health, covers nearly 380,000 members across Cook County. Nationally, only 27 percent of all Medicaid plans received a four-star rating or higher this year.

CountyCare earned five stars for members’ satisfaction with their health plan and in six additional report card areas. The plan also received four stars for members’ overall healthcare experience and for the plan’s efforts to promote preventive care and population health, increasing last year’s scores in both categories.

Learn more: https://countycare.com/press-release/countycare-earns-four-stars-for-health-plan-quality/.

Health News in Illinois

Federal Judge Strikes Down IL Prescription Drug Law

On September 8, WGN reported that a federal judge struck down an Illinois law meant to lower the price of prescription drugs. “The Illinois Prescription Drug Affordability Act" (HB1697) was signed into law in July 2025 and took effect January 1. The law was to regulate pharmacy benefit managers, but a coalition of those managers sued. The federal court ruled the state law conflicts with a federal law and blocked state officials from putting it in place. The court ruled employee healthcare benefit plans are subject to federal law, which prevents each state from enacting its own specific mandate.”

Forest Preserve Interest Group

Nature is our Business

Fifteen people enjoyed a beautiful walk on Monday, September 29, in Northbrook's Somme prairie led by Steward Eriko Kojima. Results of the long term restoration have identified over 500 species of native plants, about 6 kinds of snakes, and rare blue spotted salamanders which emerge from ephemeral wetlands. The area benefits from controlled burns which contribute to decreases in invasive species. Multitudes of birds are seen as the prairie is part of the bird migration pathway. There are several oak species in addition to the keystore Burr Oaks, which require lots of sun in order to reproduce. Somme routinely collects seeds, however, more seeds are required to meet the ongoing restoration needs.

The next team meeting is Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 8:30 am via Zoom.

Contact: Lauramdavis90@gmail.com

Criminal Justice Interest Group

The next book discussion is canceled due to the unavailability of the book. It was to be on Oct. 29. The book is "Back from the Brink" by Peter Moskos. It examines how NYC worked with police to solve its crime problems.

States Attorney Burke started a new Deferred Prosecution program for defendants accused of low-level misdemeanor crimes such as shoplifting and drug offenses. In addition to mental health services and addiction services, she hopes to send more defendants to Restorative Justice Court.

The Illinois Fair Act called for the creation of a State Public Defender Commission to work towards compliance with the law throughout the state. The 11 commissioners have now been appointed, a first step towards compliance with this act, and they can begin their work.

Our next regular meeting is on Tues. Nov 24, 9AM via zoom.

To participate in this meeting, 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.

Observer Highlights

Biosolids and PFAs (forever chemicals) disposal. Is this of concern to you?

These issues were discussed at a meeting of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) board meeting last month. --

MWRD“Staff sought authority to advertise a contract to transport dried sewage solids from its Lawndale Avenue Solids management area (LASMA) in Willow Springs and the Calumet solids management area (CALSMA) in Calumet to Hanover Park for disposal at the District’s 100 acre corn and soybean farm at the Hanover Park treatment facility. (projected transport cost $4.2 million and an additional $31.7 million for “beneficial reuse” of the biosolids on the farm).”

To read more of what was discussed go to the Observer Report at https://www.lwvcookcounty.org/mwrd-board-observer-reports

Upcoming Events

Thur., Oct. 15, 2026, 6:30 pm In Person

Oak Park River Forest LWV

Drinks & Dialoge: Let's Help Get Out the Vote

Speaker: Sheilah O'Grady-Krajniak, Ex. Dir. Citizen Advocacy Center

Friendly Tap

6731 Roosevelt Rd. Berwyn

Free - Open to the public

Oct 19-22, 2026, In Person

LWV Palos Orland Area

Active Aging Week. The League will have an information/recruiting table.

14921 Ravinia Avenue, Orland Park

Free-Open to the public

More Information: HERE

Mon., Oct. 26 , 2026, 7:00 pm

Illinois Environmental Council

Overview of Illinois' environmental legislation

Speaker: Sergio Vargas

Northbrook Library

1201 Cedar Lane Northbrook

Registration required HERE

Tuesday, Oct. 27 5:00 pm Zoom

LWV Chicago

Voting Rights and the Power of the Vote

Speakers: Panel discussion including Jane Ruby, President LWV Chicago

Registration Required: Contact League@lwvchicago.org

Tuesday, Oct. 27 7:00 pm In person and Zoom

LWV Palatine, Barrington and Schaumburg Areas

Civic Awareness Series: The Environmental Impact of Data Centers

Speaker: Rachel A. Young

Schaumburg Central Library

130 S. Roselle Road Schaumburg

Thursday, Oct. 29,2026 11:30 am In Person

Reform for Illinois

Civil Disagreements Debate Series

Election Security

Union League Club

65 W. Jackson Blvd Chicago

Cost $45

Registration Required HERE

Thur., Nov. 5, 2026, 7:00 pm In Person

LWV LaGrange Area

Supreme Court Decisions

Speaker: Jan Goldberg LWVLGA

LaGrange Public Library

10 W. Cossitt Ave LaGrange

Open to the public

Sunday. Nov. 8, 2026 4:00 pm In Person

Oak Park River Forest LWV

Election Decompression: Let's Laugh it Off

Headliner: Patti Vasquez

Comedy Plex

1128 Lake Street Oak Park

Post election fundraiser for LWV OPRF

Cost $40

Registration required HERE

Wed., Nov. 11, 2026, 6:30 pm In Person

LWV Palos Orland Area

Beyond the Ballot Box: A Conversation on the Midterm Election

Speakers: Illinois State Senator Bill Cunningham (District 18) and others

Orland Park Public Library

14921 Ravinia Ave. Orland Park

Open to the public

More information HERE

Local Leagues in Action

LWV Chicago

Young Voter Empowerment Law

Jane Ruby, LWV Chicago president, who is also a member of the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Law coalition, accepted a proclamation from both Chicago and Cook County governments recognizing the work behind this historic legislation. Passed in the Illinois General Assembly this year, the law will ensure that every Illinois high school offers nonpartisan voter registration to eligible students before they graduate. The real reward, she said, will be seeing generations of young people understand that their voices have power and their participation matters.

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