Should the Electoral College be Eliminated? That is the focus of tomorrow’s Second Tuesday discussion, from 9:30-11:00am at the Oak Park Main Library. Reasons for elimination include swing states get all the attention and voter turnout in non-swing states is reduced. Does the Electoral College represent the will of the people? Arguments to keep the Electoral College will be dispelled, including that it encourages national campaigns and that the Electoral College is enshrined in the Constitution.

To help answer these questions, our presenter will be Joyce Williams, who is a member of the League of Women Voters of Chicago and a founding member of the Electoral College Committee of the Illinois League of Women Voters. This event is free and open to the public. We hope to see you there!

ACTION REQUIRED: Sunset the Invest in Kids Act!

Tell your state senator and state representative to vote NO on any legislation that revives or funds the Invest in Kids school voucher program. “I am a constituent who resides in your district at (address). I am calling to tell you to let the Invest in Kids voucher program end as scheduled and to oppose any attempt at making it permanent or extending it. Public funds should be for our public schools.” Check out this Fact Sheet Sunset Invest in Kids. Make calls and send emails no later than October 24, the first day of the fall veto session in Springfield. Please e-mail Jane Hastings or Marilyn Pearson and let them know which legislator you contacted. Constituent contact makes a difference! Find your legislators.

The committee is also planning a full day of good training in advocacy and time to meet with our representatives for the October 24 Lobby Day. It would be great to have a large contingent to meet with Senate President Harmon and Speaker Welch. Be sure to sign up on the LWV IL registration page for Lobby Day here. Be part of the LWV OPRF contingent for this important day.

Do you belong to organizations where you could post a flyer about voter registration? How about a church bulletin board? Or your condo/townhouse bulletin board? Maybe your favorite coffee house? Then you should consider printing this flyer. It has a QR code that takes you directly to the State Board of Elections where you can check your voter registration or register to vote online. Don't have a printer? Then contact Peggy Kell and a flyer (how about two or three?) will be dropped off at your residence. This small step spreads the word about voter registration.

Volunteers Needed! A big thank-you to members Joan Petertil and Carlotta Lucchesi for volunteering to co-chair the committee organizing our League’s 100^th birthday celebration, scheduled for October 20, 2024. The gala committee has the momentous task of organizing the event including the program, speakers, entertainment, invitations, and decorations which will require considerable volunteer hours to accomplish. Please consider what talent and time you have to contribute! Graphic designer? Amazing organizational skills? Artistic flair? Audio-visual whiz? Watch this space for volunteer opportunities or if you’re ready to sign up now, send an e-mail to Joan or Carlotta .

Membership Matters: With the Kickoff behind us (thanks to all attending!), the various LWV OPRF committees are busy launching our 99th program year! Second Tuesdays and Drinks & Dialogue are starting this month, Great Decisions is getting ready to purchase their briefing books, Voter Services is planning their Spring efforts, and the list goes on. For those thinking of changing or adding a committee, now's a good time. Issues do arise and interests change, so let those committees know. You can find the list of our LWV OPRF Committees and their Chairs at this link (scroll down to the bottom of the page) and the email addresses of our 2023-24 Chairs in the online or your printed membership directory. Yes, these are membership matters, because your membership matters! Thanks all!

Mark Your Calendars!

October 19, Drinks & Dialogue, 6:30-8:00pm. Friendly Tap, 6377 Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn, "Civility in Political Discourse"

November 14, Second Tuesday, 9:30-11:00am, Oak Park Library, "National Popular Vote for Presidential Elections"

Collaboration for Early Childhood October Newsletter

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