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Here is what your LWVIL donations have done lately: Get Out the Vote postcards for local Leagues to send to voters!
LWVIL is printing Get Out the Vote postcards for your local League to send to voters, with space for handwritten messages! We provide the postcards, you provide the volunteers and the stamps.
The Smart Voter Data Team is working on the final distribution of kits that will be ready to go out to all local Leagues containing instructions, sample postcard messages, and the postcard order form.
Your can order postcards now through this form. You will receive an email when your order is placed. Delivery is stated as 7 to 14 business days, however our experience with Canva is that it rarely takes that long. Contact Roberta at borrino@lwvil.org with any postcard questions.
To help secure postage, consider running your own Stamp-a-thon!
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Becky Simon
President
League of Women Voters of Illinois
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LWVUS Election Webinar Series | | With the 2024 Election season upon us, LWVUS is offering a series of timely and informative webinars to help League members prepare for our heaviest season of election work. Check out what's coming up. | | | |
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SCOTUS Punts on Social Media Censorship: What’s Next?
Tues, Aug 27, 7:00 pm
| | Does the First Amendment allow U.S. government officials to intervene and prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media platforms? Jill Wine-Banks, the distinguished attorney and MSNBC Legal Analyst, will join us to speak about the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent action on social media censorship. Register. | | | |
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ENERGIZE Leadership Training
Thurs, Aug 29, 6:00 pm
Breakout Sessions
Sat, Sept 7, 9:00 am
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This virtual training is open to all new and experienced leaders and members of Illinois local Leagues. Topics include board member responsibilities, voter services, advocacy, membership handbooks, yearly calendars, roster management, and new structures on the horizon. Register to attend on August 29.
We will also offer follow-up breakout sessions for the following leadershipareas on Saturday, September 7:
- Executive Leadership (Presidents, co-presidents, vice presidents, secretaries)
- Communications
- Issues & Advocacy
- Membership
- Treasurers
- Voter Service
Register to attend a breakout session on September 7.
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First Annual SCOTUS Recap
Wed, Sept 11, 6:30 pm
| | Steven Schwinn, Professor of Law at UIC, will join us to speak on major decisions made by the Supreme Court this summer—and the impact those decisions are likely to have on the future of the United States executive branch, the balance of powers, and democracy in general. Register. | | | |
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Observer Corps Training
Thurs, Sept 12, 1:00 pm
| | The League's Observer Corps plays a key role in community education and engagement, helping their communities stay informed about decisions that impact them locally, while encouraging government transparency and accountability. Join us to become a trained Observer! Register. | | | |
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Lunch & Learn: Defend Democracy Drop-Ins
Mon, Sept 16, Noon
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Calling all local Leagues! LWVIL is hosting a virtual Lunch & Learn session to introduce our Defend Democracy Drop-In program.
Defend Democracy Drop-Ins are energizing meet-ups where League members and their friends can get together to take action on issues they care about. Join us to learn more about how you can implement this excellent program for your local League. Register.
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Diversifying Your League
Thurs, Oct 10, 7:00 pm
| | Join the Leagues of Women Voters of Illinois and Wisconsin for an informative and inspiring evening with Demetrius Fisher, Southeast Region Organizing Director of LWVUS. Learn strategies to diversify your League from leadership to the general membership, through programming, recruitment, and outreach. Hear success stories from other Leagues and come away with action steps for greater equity, inclusion, and access in your community. Register. | | | | | | |
EVENT RECORDING
In a recent LWVIL-sponsored panel, we discussed legislative policies and innovative solutions that can help with the plastic crisis. Watch the recording to learn more about the impact of plastic on our health and steps you can take.
| | Our 2024 State Assembly was a success, and we had fun! Thank you to everyone who attended in person and online. Since the League operates on a biennial calendar, we will hold our State Convention in 2025 and our next State Assembly in 2026. View the State Assembly materials. | | |
Upcoming Civic Holidays
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Sept. 10: Teens Voter Registration Day | Join the movement to empower young voters! 16- and 17-year-olds are eligible to pre-register to vote in Illinois. Host voter registration drives that engage young people in the democratic process.
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Sept. 17: National Voter Registration Day | The League has been the largest on-the-ground partner since the inception of NVRD: let’s keep that trend going! By signing up to be a partner, you will receive free stickers and posters, training materials and more.
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Oct. 29: Vote Early Day | Make sure communities have the tools to vote early—become a partner and host an event.
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Nov. 4: Election Hero Day | Thank election workers in your community—the heroes who ensure our elections run safely.
Preparing for Candidate Forums
Is your local League organizing candidate forums? LWVIL League Resources can help with that. Take a look to find templates for your candidate forum ground rules, candidate participation policy, general forum considerations, and more. Once they're scheduled, please submit your forum information to us at communications@lwvil.org to promote on LWVIL's website.
Illinois Voter Guide
The Illinois Voter Guide (IVG) currently has links up to confirm voter registration, register to vote, and apply for a vote by mail ballot. Soon, IVG will add candidate bios, forum videos, Q&As, endorsements, and bar association ratings. Please share IVG widely in your newsletters and communications!
| | Many local Leagues conduct voter registration at naturalization ceremonies, and this month LWV Springfield Area and LWV Greater Peoria held voter registration for new citizens at the Illinois State Fair, while LWV Chicago registered new citizens at Wrigley Field. Thank you to these Leagues for taking time out from your summer to represent the League at these extra-special naturalization ceremonies! These are important opportunities to remind the public of our organization’s nonpartisan work. | | Your Ideas and Talents Are Needed! | | |
The LWVIL Nominating Committee is in full swing in the recruiting process for candidates for the 2025-2027 LWVIL Board of Directors, and we need your help getting the word out to interested candidates!
We all have special skills, talents and ideas to bring to the table, but the most important thing you need to serve on the Board is an unwavering dedication to the League!
Interested? Know someone who might be? Talk to interested candidates and encourage them to apply by using the link below. An ask from a friend might be just the encouragement they need to take the next step.
Apply for the 2025-2027 LWVIL Board of Directors.
You can also contact the Nominating Committee at lwvilnominations@lwvil.org.
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Water, water everywhere…
Illinois is fortunate to sit between two legendary bodies of water—Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. LWVIL belongs to the two Inter-League Organizations (ILOs) that serve those waters; LWV Upper Mississippi River Region, which includes state Leagues from Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin, and LWV Lake Michigan Region, which includes the state Leagues of Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan. LWVIL is looking for environmentally-minded League members to appoint as delegates to these ILOs.
Looking for UMRR delegates
LWV Upper Mississippi River Region is looking for three board members from Illinois. The board meets bimonthly (via Zoom). Board members are appointed by the LWVIL Board.
The Mississippi River is important to Illinois, as it forms our state’s western border, and with its tributaries provides water to communities throughout the state. If you are interested, please contact Paula Ekstrom at pkekstrom@gmail.com.
Looking for LMR delegates
LWV Lake Michigan Region acts on selected governmental issues affecting the Lake Michigan watershed. If you are interested in joining the LWV LMR board, please contact Joy Guscott-Mueller at lwvlakemichigan@gmail.com.
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Join the Civic Listening Corps
Join the Civic Listening Corps (CLC) and recruit members of the public to combat mis-and-disinformation. CLC is a volunteer network of individuals trained to monitor, critically evaluate, and report mis/disinformation on topics central to our civic life. Sign up using LWV's specific link.
| | | | Support Our Get Out the Vote Efforts in 2024 | | Submit Your League's Photos | | |
We love to see the smiling faces of League members! Help LWVIL elevate and share the hard work of our members by submitting photos of your local League's activities.
All photo submissions will be added to our photo library. They may be used in LWVIL marketing and communications materials, including possible placement on the LWVIL website and social media platforms.
| | Members power the League! Thank you for your time and donations. | | | | |
