The excitement is mounting in anticipation of the
LWVUS Convention coming to Chicago!
What a role LWVIL and LWV Chicago will be playing as host state and city.
A big, big thank you goes to
Erin Roeper for expertly and graciously heading up the
Local Arrangements Committee. She and the co-chairs of the subcommittees have done an excellent job preparing for Convention. These hard-working volunteers include:
Ann Yoshida and
Mary Hummel - Volunteer Recruitment;
Jill Althage and
Joyce Haeckel - Registration & Credentials;
Mary Lubertozzi and
Syvia Tillman - Hospitality & Information;
Sharon Alter and
Cathy Potkay - Fundraiser;
Casey Christensen and
Michelle Jordan - Plenary Sessions, and
Cynthia Schilsky - Budget.
Over 125 volunteers have been recruited for convention tasks and we thank all of them for assisting LWVUS in its 53rd National Convention.
Although it seems like just yesterday, it was February of 2016 when the Development Committee decided to book
Second City for our LWVIL and LWV-Chicago Fundraising event during the convention. Event Co-Chairperson
Sharon Alter took the reins and has worked diligently since to ensure a fun evening for us and convention goers from across the country. Thanks so much, Sharon!
A "good luck and good work" shout out goes to
LWV-Naperville as a
nominee for the LWVUS "Empowering Voters/Defending Democracy Community Connection Award" for their "Strolling to the Polls" project. On behalf of the LWVIL, let me say how proud we are of you, LWV-Naperville!
At last year's LWVIL Convention, delegates voted in favor of LWVIL recommending "
abolishing the Electoral College," a long held LWV position, be added as an
action focus for LWVUS, 2018-2020 program.
Rosemary Heilemann and her committee has worked long and hard with lots of communication with LWVs from across the country in support of this resolution, as yet, a non-recommended program item.
Here's the scoop on the
caucus to support this resolution:
- Advocacy Strategies for the Existing LWVUS Position (The Selection of the President) to Abolish the Electoral College LWVUS Convention Caucus, June 27, 2018, 8:45 pm, Boulevard Room C.
- Presented by the LWVIL Electoral College Committee:
- LWV's of Illinois, Deerfield-Lincolnshire, Wilmette, La Grange, Arlington Heights-Mt. Prospect-Buffalo Grove, Glenview-Glencoe, Oak Park-River Forest, Highland Park/Highwood, Lake Forest/Lake Bluff, Northwest Lake MAL.
- Contact lwvabolishelectoral@gmail.com if you want to help LWVIL with this resolution.
Oh, and one more thing! What a joy it is to be
welcoming LWVUS to the 37th state to have ratified the Equal Rights Amendment! I know the LWV and its members all over Illinois played a vital role in making that happen. In fact,
Amy Jo Conroy of ERA Illinois said,
"A crucial difference in 2018 vs 2014 was the active involvement of the League of Women Voters. Yes, the #MeToo and Trump presidency has brought new individuals and groups to advocacy. But the League's involvement was critical. Their nonpartisan, position-based advocacy was a recognized voice and trusted by members of both parties. The League provided more conservative legislators the necessary backup and support for a YES vote."
We can be proud of ourselves!
