Newsletter - October 2021

One Remaining Opportunity for a

Cook County Forest Preserve

Nature Walk

Walk includes an orientation to the facility and the site

followed by a short guided nature walk of up to one mile.

Wednesday, October 13 from 10am-12noon

(Rain date is Thursday, October 14)

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center in Lemont

Only a few openings remain

Covid precautions will be in place.

Directions and specific information will be provided when you register.

Include your name, phone number, and Local League

Registration Deadline is October 8

Redistricting Update

New Cook County Commissioner District Map

Approved by Cook County Board

The Cook County Board approved the map for the Cook County Commissioner Districts based on 2020 Census Data at their Board Meeting on September 23. The LWVCC submitted comments in a letter setting forth the League's concerns with the process used in redrawing this map. See Map Below

Key concerns:

The map was drawn by the legislators themselves and not by an independent commission. The League has long advocated that redistricting at all levels of government be done by Independent Commissions.
While stating that the process was transparent, much of the redistricting work was done by Commissioners working with the outside expert in private to determine boundaries.
The process used was to adjust the boundaries of existing districts. Given the significant changes in population distribution since the original districts were drawn in 1990, a total redraft of the map could have produced a map that better reflected the changing demographics of the County.
Towns and Chicago neighborhoods are better indicators of "communities of interest" than townships.
More notice should be given for the Public Hearings that are held during the redistricting process.
The League did commend the Board for clarifying that the existing districts hold until the next election. The new districts will be used for the 2022 elections and thereafter until the next Census.

Read the LWVCC Letter here.

More information about the Redistricting Process and the new map is available on the LWVCC Website

Proposed Map Related to Redistricting Ordinance of 2021.png

News from the LWVCC Criminal Justice Interest Group

The LWVCC Criminal Justice Interest Group continues to meet focusing on Pretrial Services in Cook County. Recently they became aware of a report on Electronic Monitoring that was issued by the Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts and the Chicago Council of Lawyers to help the public understand the Cook County Sheriff's Electronic Monitoring Program. You can read the report by clicking on the link below.

"10 Facts about Pretrial Electronic Monitoring" Report

Interested in joining the LWVCC Criminal Justice Interest Group

Send an email to info@lwvcookcounty.org

2021-2022 Cook County League Board Members

OFFICERS: President: Cynthia Schilsky, LaGrange Area; Vice-Presidents: Pris Mims, Chicago, and Karin Hribar,Arlington Heights; Secretary: Betty Hayford, Evanston; Treasurer: Nancy Clark, Oak Park/River Forest.

Board members: Carolyn Cosentino, Homewood/Flossmoor; Laura Davis, Palatine; Diane Edmundson, Park Ridge; Jan Goldberg, LaGrange Area, Kathi Graffam, LaGrange Area; Georgia Gebhardt, Wilmette;

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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.

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League of Women Voters of Cook County

332 S. Michigan Ave. Suite 634

Chicago, IL 60604

312-939-5935 x127

lwvcookcounty.org