Join us this Thursday, April 18, 6:30pm, at the April Drinks & Dialogue for an informative evening to learn about the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Environmental concerns, flood mitigation, and where your poo goes will be discussed by Dawn Walker, Chief of Staff for Water Reclamation, Commissioner Davis, and Matthew Estenssoro, an attorney and expert in environmental law. They will share their expertise and insights about our water system at Friendly's Tap, 6731 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, starting at 6:30pm. Snacks, a cash bar, and engaging conversations will be part of the evening. All are welcome. Bring a friend!

On April 9, league members were engaged in information shared by Oak Park Village President, Vicki Scaman, and Seven Generations Ahead Director, Colleen Feeny, about the Cross Community Climate Collaborative (C4). This collaborative group, now of 14 communities including Oak Park, River Forest, Broadview, Forest Park and other surrounding communities and two environmental consultants, Seven Generations Ahead and the Urban Efficiency Group, strives to utilize grants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 and 100% by 2050 to reduce climate change impact on everyone, including those with fewer resources, BIPOC and non-minority communities. These goals are being reached through education and equitable strategies connecting the various economic, racial, and ethnic makeup of the communities. Projects include composting at schools, e-charging stations, styrofoam and plastic reduction, and green tech use for lawns. Thought is not only given to the projects themselves, but how the projects will impact workers and residents. For instance, when exploring the requirement of electric tools for lawn care, thought was given to how small landscape businesses would be affected. Would they be pushed out of C4 communities? Will they be replaced by the large, commercial companies that can afford the new requirements? Thank you to our speakers for the informative, thought-provoking presentation!

The One Earth Film Festival starts this Wednesday, April 17. Some of the events are in person, and some are virtual. Many of the events are in Oak Park or close to it. You can read their newsletter which includes all the information about the events leading up to and during the Film Festival.

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs will have a hybrid event on Wednesday, April 24, from 5:30-6:15pm. Join the Council for a conversation between the Council's Ivo Daalder and David Sanger, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author, as his new book, New Cold Wars: China's Rise, Russia's Invasion, and America's Struggle to Defend the West is discussed. Copies of Sanger’s book will be available for sale, and there will be a signing following the program. This program also has a video option. Register for this free event here.

Get Involved with the LWV OPRF Issues and Advocacy Committee! As a critical arm of the League, the I&A Committee advocates and influences public policy and legislation on issues studied and prioritized by the LWV IL Issues & Advocacy Committee. Each year we set up meetings with our Illinois legislators to advocate the LWV IL’s positions on pending legislation, the state budget, and other priority issues. We are getting ready to schedule our first set of meetings for the spring legislative session and will be traveling to Springfield for the League Lobby Day on May 1 (for OPRF members, shared transportation will be available).  We encourage you to join this dynamic and important committee. Together, we can affect the outcome.  Contact Marilyn Pearson

by email or call (708)203-0251 for more information. You can find a detailed outline of our stances on issues in Where We Stand, the guide to LWV IL's public policy positions, also available in a convenient abridged version. In concert with Impact on Issues, the guide to LWVUS public policy positions, it forms the basis for all action taken by Illinois Leagues on national and state issues.

On Tuesday, April 9, at the annual Oak Park Township Town Hall meeting, in partnership with Change Illinois, we supported the request that a non-binding referendum question about redistricting be put on the Oak Park November election ballot. The referendum question that was submitted was "Should the State of Illinois adopt an independent citizens commission for the federal and state redistricting process?" After a few questions from the audience, a vote of the attendees was taken, and the referendum question was supported and passed! We now will work with Change Illinois to educate our Oak Park community about redistricting in preparation for their vote in November. Thanks to those Leaguers who showed up and supported the referendum question!

Mark your calendars now for our Annual Plant Sale Fundraiser scheduled for May 3-5, from  9:00am-5:00pm at the Good Earth Greenhouse, 7900 Madison, River Forest. Choose from a lovely selection of plants and planting items, and the League will get 15% of your purchases. When you check out, be sure to tell the clerk that you're participating in the League event and fill out the form at the cash register. 

Long time league member and dedicated Great Decision’s chairwoman Alex Matthews died on March 22. Since 2014, Alex Matthews has participated in the Great Decisions Discussions that met at the Maze Branch of OPPL.  Since 2018 Alex oversaw all three groups of Great Decisions and guided them through the pandemic, where groups met online.  Even this year she led the Feb 15, 2024, discussion on Mideast Realignment. You can read her obituary here. Our condolences to her family.

This Tuesday, April 16, from 2:00-3:15pm, travel back in time to early Chicago to see how we reversed the Chicago River and developed wastewater treatment technology. Go behind the scenes and under water to see how we transform the water you use every day, descend 300 feet into the deep tunnel system, and watch our electrofishing crew at work sampling fish on the Chicago River. Register today for this virtual tour.

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