Newsletter - February 2024

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Newsletter Highlights


Primary Voting has started.



Underground Railroad Presentation


Save the Date--LWVCC Annual Meeting is

May 13, 2024


Cook County State's Attorney Debate


 
 

Plan Your Vote

Learn About the Candidates
 

Illinois Voters’ Guide 


WTTW Voter Guide


​Vote for Judges

Find candidate information on these online resources


llinois Voter Guide sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Illinois, candidate information should start to be posted by Feb. 20


·        WTTW Voter Guide has both written statements from the candidates as well as videos.

  •  Selected U.S. Congressional districts
  •  Cook County State’s Attorney
  •   Cook County Clerk of the Court
  •   MWRD Commissioner, 6-year term
  •   MWRD Commissioner, 2-year term
  •   Illinois Supreme Court, 1st District


VoteForJudges.org compiles ratings from bar associations

 

​Key information to plan when and where to vote


See the Voter Info page of the LWVCC Website.


Find information on registration, early voting, vote by mail, and election day voting.

Voter Registration Scam

The League of Women Voters of Illinois sent an alert about a voter registration scam. Some Illinois residents have received a text which includes the recipients’ home addresses, and asks them to click a link to confirm their registration status and/or register to vote. 

 

LWVIL confirmed with the Illinois State Board of Elections that it does not send requests for your personal information. Please alert your communities: Do not click on links, return calls, or provide personal, banking or account information to anyone who reaches out to you unexpectedly! That includes calls, texts and emails. Instead, look up the company/agency online and follow up using verified contact information you looked up yourself.

 
 

Democratic Candidates for States Attorney Debate

​The debate between candidates Clayton Harris III and Eileen O'Neil Burke, held on Feb 8, was sponsored by ABC/Channel 7, Univision, and the Leagues of Women Voters of Cook County and Chicago. 


Watch this fast-paced and informative debate HERE


Also running uncontested is Robert W. Fioretti on the Republican Primary ballot.

LWVCC Forest Preserve Interest Group Presentation

In honor of Black History Month


Speaker: Dr. Larry McClellan

Topic: Freedom Seekers and the history of Northeastern Illinois

Monday February 26 11 AM via Zoom

Registration is required; send an email to: info@cookcounty.org


 


The history of the Underground Railroad includes the Cook County Forest Preserves


Dr. Larry McClellan, historian and author of the award winning book, “Onward to Chicago: Freedom Seekers and the Underground Railroad in Northeastern Illinois” will speak to the history of the Underground Railroad which includes the Cook County Forest Preserves.

Extend an invitation to your interested friends.

LWVCC Interest Groups report on important news in Cook County Government

Budget and Structure Interest Group

MWRD & COOK COUNTY GOVERNMENT PARTNER ON URBAN FLOODING PROJECT


Using ARPA funding, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and the Cook County Department of Transportation will partner on a much needed $20M technical assistance project to deal with urban flooding. The assistance will help communities that lack municipal capacity, with equity at the forefront of the grants. Over 100 known drainage problems have been identified, and projects were selected based on readiness to proceed and the likelihood that the investment will improve the problems. Twenty-six projects are scheduled to receive funding from the $20M that is available.

Cook County Health Interest Group


 COOK COUNTY HEALTH HOSTS ITS FIRST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUMMIT


Cook County Health recently created an Office of Behavioral Health and now is hosting a region-wide Behavioral Health Summit on February 15, 2024. The emphasis is on listening sessions to receive feedback on issues such as inequities in BH care, the need for improved BH health care, and the need for increased access to care. The goal is for this feedback to lead to a county-wide Behavioral Health Strategic Plan. In addition, the feedback will provide guidance for a Behavioral Health grant RFP process scheduled to begin March 6, 2024. 

Criminal Justice Interest Group


  • The Criminal Justice Interest Group continues to work with the Civic Federation on monitoring the new court procedures for the Pretrial Fairness Act. One unforeseen consequence of the new court procedures is the number of appeals of judge's detention decisions. The Illinois Supreme Court is putting together a task force to analyze the issues and to identify solutions.
  • The next regular meeting of the Criminal Justice Interest Group will be March 26 at 9 am via Zoom, and if you would like to attend the meeting please contact Jan Goldberg
 

LWVCC observes and reports on board and committee meetings of Cook County government entities to provide our members with an understanding of current issues. To read more: LWVCC Observer Reports

LWVCC Annual Meeting

When: May 13, 2024

Where: Ida B. Wells Conference Room, Roosevelt University,

420 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago

What: Business Meeting followed by lunch and program on Election Safety and Security

More details will be forthcoming

Local League Upcoming Events


Saturday, March 9, 9:30am

LWV Palos Orland Area

Democracy in America

Presentation on Jane Adams by Betsy Means

Palos Heights Public Library

12501 S. 71st Avenue, Palos Heights

Open to the public. No registration required.


Saturday, March 9, 11:30 am

Co-sponsored by LWVs Evanston, Glenview-Glencoe, Wilmette &Winnetka-Northfield-Kenilworth 

Winnetka Congregational Church, 720 Pine, Winnetka

"Undaunted: How Women Changed American Journalism"--Author Brooke Kroeger (via Zoom) in Conversation with Chicago Tribune Columnist Heidi Stevens (Live)

Cost $40.00

See the LWV Glenview-Glencoe Website to register.



Tuesday, March 12, 9:30-11:00am

LWV Oak Park River Forest

Fighting Book Bans-Libraries Battle for Civil Rights -Stephen Jackson

Oak Park Public Library 178 Forest Avenue, Oak Park

Open to the public. No registration required.


Thursday, March 21, 6:30pm

LWV Oak Park River Forest

Drinks & Dialogue

End of Life Options- Catherine Marienau, PhD.

Friendly's Tap, 6731 Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn

Open to the public. No registration required.





2023-2024 Cook County League Board Members 

OFFICERS: President: Cynthia Schilsky, LaGrange Area; Vice-Presidents: Pris Mims, Chicago, Kathi Graffam, LaGrange Area; Secretary: Carolyn Cosentino, Homewood/Flossmoor; Treasurer: Trudy Turner, Evanston.

Board members: Laura Davis, Palatine; Diane Edmundson, Chicago; Jan Goldberg, LaGrange Area ; Betty Hayford, Evanston; Karin Hribar, Arlington Heights; Sandra Slayton, Homewood-Flossmoor

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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.

_________________________

League of Women Voters of Cook County

332 S. Michigan Ave. Suite 634, Chicago, IL 60604

312-939-5935 x127

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