Letter from the President
Dear LWVIL Member,

Let’s celebrate LWVIL’s achievements and evolution to the vital organization we are today at our 2019 Convention: “100 Years and Beyond!”  
 
Louise Young describes the League as reaching its  “ organizational maturity ”  by 1950, emerging as a grassroots organization whose positions  “ bubbled up from below .”  ( In the Public Interest, The League of Women Voters, 1920-1970 ). She contrasted the League to other political action organizations whose “decisions were made by a small cadre of officers and board members. ”   By contrast, the League’s vitality “lay in how its program was adopted at its biennial conventions” after a “prolonged process of solicitation of local League suggestions and review of proposals. ”   
 
Thank you to the 354 members of the 20 local Leagues representing 2060 of our members who answered the call to submit program planning suggestions for this year’s convention!    
 
Young also noted that in 1957 the LWVUS  “ strengthened and expanded its capacity to apply its skills to the function of mediating between citizens and government by creating the LWV Voters Education Fund as a separate legal entity to develop and promote educational programs with financial support from foundations, corporations, government agencies and individuals whose financial support would not otherwise have been available because of the League’s nondeductible tax status as a political advocacy organization. ” 
 
That’s exactly what LWVIL did in 1979 when the League of Women Voters of Illinois Education Fund was created as a separate entity with 501c3 IRS status able to accept tax deductible contributions.  
 
A 2017 “will of convention” directive to the LWVIL Board was this: “Concerned about 501c3/501c4 issues. Please clarify and give guidance.”   With the help of attorneys at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP,   the LWVIL Board is ready to do just that. We look forward to reporting our findings and recommendations when we see you in Champaign.

Yours in League,

Bonnie
Election Day - April 2, 2019
Illinoisans across the state headed to the polls yesterday to vote in local elections. Chicago in particular had an historic Election Day, voting in Lori Lightfoot as the city's first African American female mayor and first openly gay mayor.

Our local governments often have an even greater impact on our everyday lives than state and federal governments do. Thank you to all of the hard-working Leaguers who helped register and educate voters this election season.
Join Us for Lobby Day 2019
Spring is in the air, the General Assembly is hard at work, and so Lobby Day 2019 is upon us! Here are three quick steps to joining us on Lobby Day:

1.  Come ! Sign up online . 

$10 will help defray the cost of lunch and materials. We’ll have two meetup spots - the Illinois Library Reading Room and the State Capital. A detailed agenda and list of bills we will lobbying for will be emailed before the Lobby Day. They’ll include bills about the graduated income tax constitutional amendment, environment, immigration, healthcare, criminal justice, civic education and gun policy. 

Whether you are experienced or a novice, a visit to Springfield is fun and educational. We’ll make our League presence felt and help our state by advocating for important legislation.

2.  Carpool!  Make a plan with your fellow local League members. Contact your League president and find out how to link up with others to make a plan and arrange your travel. Don’t know who to go with? Contact the LWVIL office and they can share who is attending near you.

3.  Create a game plan!   Check out this helpful video to make your plan. The first step is setting up an appointment with your legislators. Find out who they are (if you don’t already).


See you in Springfield! 
Register for Convention
The   59th Biennium LWVIL 2019 Convention is an opportunity for LWVIL members to gather together, discuss key issues, and participate in mission-related programming.

Convention: June 8-9, 2019
Pre-Convention Workshops: June 7, 2019
Champaign, IL


1. Register now! Each League is permitted to send a certain number of delegates . If you are not a delegate, we still encourage you to attend the pre-convention workshops.
2. Nominate outstanding members and local Leagues for Convention recognition!

You can make a nomination for the following: an individual member for the Inspired Leadership Award , this year named in memory of Mary Schaafsma; a local League or group of Leagues for the Community Engagement Award ; and your own League for a Spotlight on Local League Achievement Award .


3.  Don’t forget the Silent Auction and Convention Raffle! 

Consider putting together and donating a “high bid-worthy, can’t leave without it” Silent Auction basket from your community! Learn about the requirements and let us know if you have something to donate.


4. Reserve a P ublication and Wares table . Local Leagues wishing to sell items at convention should submit this form by May 20, 2019.
Get Involved
Here are some ways to get involved in making democracy work at the LWVIL:
Take Action
Issues & Advocacy
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