Letter from the President
Dear LWVIL Member,

With Black History Month coming to an end, Women’s History Month just beginning, and our 100th Anniversary Celebration planning in full swing, I’ve been compelled to reading and researching Illinois citizens’ unique contributions to gender and racial equality and to passage of the 19th Amendment. 

I have found amazing discoveries that b y 1913, women in Illinois could vote for presidential electors and for all local offices not specifically named in the Illinois Constitution. In Chicago, Ida B. Wells, with white activists Belle Squire and Virginia Brooks, founded the Alpha Suffrage Club. Concentrating on Ward 2 with its largely African American population, their stated purpose was to “inform black women of their civic responsibility and to organize them to help elect candidates who would best serve the interests of African Americans in Chicago.” How successful and effective these amazing women were! If you want to learn more, please click here .

When you see the Ida B. Wells Parkway signs, be reminded of her amazing and inspiring legacy of “shining the light of truth” on lynching, of inspiring ALL women to enter the public domain and always vote, and of friendship and shared ideals that transcended racial divides and discrimination.

Yours in League,

Bonnie
Ida B. Wells Drive named
with the help of League of Women Voters of Chicago
Ida B. Wells, the anti-lynching crusader, journalist, civil rights activist and suffragist — who could have been killed because of any one of those pursuits — has finally gotten her due.
The street once known as Congress Parkway officially became Ida B. Wells Drive. The name change brings to fruition a piece of the dream of many groups including the League of Women Voters of Chicago, who helped to spear the landmark initiative.

At the renaming ceremony, the League's work was commemorated with remarks from League member, Claire Hartfield, and echoed by several other notable Chicago legislators, including Alderman Sophia King. You can read more about the how the League of Women Voters of Chicago got involved and how their persistence paid off by clicking here .
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendar for some great events that are coming up for the State and Local leagues.

 Mayoral Forum with LWV Chicago/ABC-7
March 20, 2019

Mayoral Forum with Chicago State University, WBEZ 91.5 and Vocalo 91.1
March 25, 2019
Equal Pay Day Chicago
March 28, 2019

West Chicago Candidate Meet & Greet with LWV Wheaton
Wednesday, March 13, 2019

2019 Issues Briefing:
Creating Quality of Life for
ALL in Illinois
We are excited to announce that the 2019 LWVIL Issues Briefing: Creating Quality of Life for ALL of Illinois, happening this Saturday, March 2 is SOLD OUT! This year we will be discussing some important issues that effect ALL of Illinois including:

  • Community Policing
  • Census in Illinois
  • Reproductive Health
  • Protecting Immigrants
  • Affordable Housing
  • ERA

and so much more!

If you were unable to attend but would like to be a part of further discussion of these issues, please click here.
Illinois Voter Guide
The  League of Women Voters of Illinois 's mission is to encourage the informed and active participation of citizens in government. One of tools in accomplishing this is our Illinois Voter guide, an easy and accessible way to dive into the background and opinions of every candidate on your ballot, in a nonpartisan way.

Find a reason to vote for every office on the ballot, and save your choices as you go.
Early voting is happening now for Tuesday, April 2, 2019. Prepare to vote with the Illinois Voter Guide!

99 Years Old & Counting:
100th Anniversary Kick Off
To know where we are going, we need to know where we have been. In preparation for our 100th Anniversary Celebration, the LWVIL 100th Celebration Committee is sharing a series of monthly articles covering some of the history of the League of Women Voters. This month they are featuring " A Brief History of the Women's Suffrage Movement in Illinois" compiled by Lori Osborne, LWV of Evanston. Take a gander at some important history and if you are ready to get involved in the planning of the 100th Anniversary, please contact Mary Kubasek for more information .

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