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The focus of LWVIL’s work for September is fighting misinformation and disinformation.
The proliferation of misinformation and disinformation has become a significant threat to our democratic processes and informed decision-making by voters.
We make important decisions based on what we hear on social media and in the news. When we can’t tell the difference between fact and fiction, it can cause confusion, leaving a generalized sense that “you can’t believe anything anymore.”
What’s the difference?
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Misinformation: Inadvertently sharing false information without the intent to harm
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Disinformation: Intentionally sharing false information with the intent to harm
What should I do? Report it!
Whenever you see disinformation online, report it to us. You can also report most social media posts to the platforms themselves.
You can help stop the spread.
When we see or hear mis/disinformation, our first instinct is to argue and counter with correct information. This is almost always a bad idea, especially online. Why?
Because sharing and refuting false information only contributes to its spread!
Every time you post a comment, or "like" another person's comment, or click the "angry" emoji, you are helping to spread the original post to more and more viewers. Responses on social media are exactly what bad actors need to achieve their goals. When you debate online, you are usually debating with strangers and chatbots, and you are not likely to persuade them.
Visit the LWVIL Misinformation and Disinformation page. Spend some time learning, use our social media graphics on your social media, watch some of the recorded events, and share it all with your contacts!
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Becky Simon
President
League of Women Voters of Illinois
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Nobody's Fool: Why We Get Taken In and What We Can Do About It
Thurs, Sept 19, 7:00 pm, Virtual
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We're all susceptible to misinformation, often spreading it unknowingly. While stopping it entirely is impossible, we can learn how deception works, recognize the signs, and empower ourselves.
Join Illinois public libraries and the LWVIL Mis/Disinformation Task Force for a talk with Professor Dan Simons. Register.
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Poll Watcher Training
Thurs, Oct 3, Noon & 7:00 pm, Virtual
League Members Only
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Poll watchers are there to make sure voters’ rights are protected. Join us to learn how to be a poll watcher for the League! We're offering two sessions—choose whichever fits your schedule.
Register for the noon session.
Register for the 7:00 pm session.
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Observer Corps Training
Tues, Oct 8, 1:00 pm, Virtual
League Members Only
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The League's Observer Corps help their communities stay informed about decisions that impact them locally while encouraging government transparency and accountability. Join us to become a trained Observer! Register.
We're hosting monthly Observer Corps Trainings—check our calendar for future dates.
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Diversifying Your League
Thurs, Oct 10, 7:00 pm, Virtual
League Members Only
| | Join the Leagues of Women Voters of Illinois and Wisconsin for an informative and inspiring evening with LWVUS' Demetrius Fisher. 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. | | | | ENERGIZE Leadership Training Resources | | |
Upcoming Civic Holidays
- Oct. 7–11, National Voter Education Week: Voters should have the tools, information, and confidence they need to cast their ballots. This is where National Voter Education Week comes in!
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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
Once your League's candidate forums are scheduled, please submit your forum dates, times and races covered to voterservice@lwvil.org to promote on LWVIL's website. No need to submit to the LWVIL home page event calendar as the forums are highlighted together in their own area.
Have questions 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.
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!
| | Defend Democracy Drop-Ins Are Here | | |
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. An enormous thank you to Sandra Alexander and Bernadette Laszewski of LWV Glen Ellyn for helping local Leagues engage members in advocacy by sharing their materials with LWVIL!
Several Leagues attended the DDD program roll-out on September 16. Those of you who missed it can still participate by reviewing the PowerPoint materials provided on the LWVIL Google Shared Drive.
New topics will be provided monthly. The September topic, Money in Politics and Judicial Ethics, is already available for download in the Shared Drive under FY2025 DDD Materials. Please attend Issues and Advocacy Office hours (more info below) or email issues@lwvil.org for additional assistance or for information on how to get started.
| | Volunteer Your Ideas and Talents with LWVIL | |
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Issues and Advocacy Needs YOU
Have you been looking for a way to become involved with the state League, but you're not sure how or even if you'll have the time? Please consider a few of the options below, most of which can be done on your own time in your home.
JOIN THE COMMITTEE
We are currently looking for:
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Issue Specialists in the following areas: Healthcare Costs and Insurance, State Fiscal Policy, Education, and ERA.
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Member Education and Events: Plan and host a series of lunch and learns and/or statewide issue education events. (2–4 volunteers to share responsibilities)
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Engagement and Outreach: Help draft newsletter columns for LWVIL newsletter, coordinate Defend Democracy Drop-In materials, prepare Action Alert and campaign materials. Conduct periodic training. (1–2 volunteers to share responsibilities)
HELP THE COMMITTEE
There are many ad hoc tasks that we often need help with. You may volunteer once or as a regular resource:
- Create name tags and lunches for large meetings
- Work a live event registration desk
- Provide technical assistance for virtual and hybrid meetings
- Assemble questions at live and virtual events, and address audience questions to speakers
- Organize and update I&A Where We Stand, Legislative Actions, and Specialist Reports
- Update and organize resource materials
- And more!
Please email Kathy Cortez at issues@lwvil.org with interest.
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Focus on Environmental Issues
Illinois is fortunate to sit between two legendary bodies of water—Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River, and LWVIL belongs to the two Inter-League Organizations (ILOs) that serve those waters. We're looking for environmentally-minded League members to appoint as delegates to these ILOs.
LWV Upper Mississippi River Region is looking for three board members from Illinois. The board meets bimonthly (via Zoom). If you are interested, please contact Paula Ekstrom at pkekstrom@gmail.com.
If you are interested in joining the LWV Lake Michigan Region board, please contact Joy Guscott-Mueller at lwvlakemichigan@gmail.com.
| | | | Announcing Issues & Advocacy Office Hours | | |
Staffed by Kathy Cortez, VP of Issues and Advocacy
Beginning October 8, Kathy will hold virtual open office hours on the second Tuesday of the month from 11:00 am to noon. Office hours are designed to answer any questions attendees may have, provide guidance, discuss positions, talk about the process for studies and Program updates, and other I&A topics on your mind.
Please use this link to join: https://zoom.us/j/95462852966?pwd=vpngsgus1FdVKDZwda4WELiBpjRrsE.1
| | 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. | | | | |
