League of Women Voters of Lake County

Candidate Forums

2012-02-07T11:27:00.003-06:00

CANDIDATE FORUMS

CANDIDATE FORUMS

Come and question the candidates

Sunday, February 12

Where: University Center ofLake County, 1200 University Center Rd, Grayslake

When: 1:30 p.m. (doors open1:00)

Details: Contested races forcountywide elected officials - Clerk of the Circuit Court, Coroner, Recorder ofDeeds, and State's Attorney.

Sponsoredby League of Women Voters, Daily Herald, and University Center.

Sunday, February 19

Where: Lake Bluff ElementarySchool, 350 W. Washington, Lake Bluff

When: 1:30 p.m. (doors open1:00)

Details: Contested races forState Representative 58th District, State Senate 29th District, and Lake CountyBoard District 13.

Sponsoredby League of Women Voters, and Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Patch.

Sunday, February 26

Where: Highland Park CountryClub, 1201 Park Ave. West, Highland Park

When: 1:00 p.m. (doors open12:30)

Details: Contested races forState Representative 58th District, State Senate 29th District, and 10thCongressional District.

Sponsoredby League of Women Voters and Union League Club.

Sunday, March 4

Where: Lake Forest/Lake BluffSenior Center, 100 E. Old Mill Rd., Lake Forest

When: 1:30 p.m. (doors open1:00)

Details: Contested races forLake County Board District 12, and countywide elected officials: Clerk of theCircuit Court, Coroner, Recorder of Deeds, and State's Attorney.

Sponsoredby League of Women Voters, Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Patch, Lake Forest-Lake BluffSenior Center.

The League ofWomen Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed andactive participation in government, works to increase understanding of majorpublic policy issues, and influences public policy through education andadvocacy. For more information, please visit website www.lwv-lflb.org. Membership in the League is open to men and women of allages. With more than 91 years of experience and 800 local and state affiliates,the League is one of America's most trusted grassroots organizations.

League of Women Voters

February 12, 2012 - Candidate Forum for Countywide Offices

2012-01-30T20:00:00.005-06:00

A candidate forum, co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Lake County, the Daily Herald and the University Center of Lake County, will be held for the following offices:

Clerk of the Circuit Court (Republican - Keith Brin, Gerald Dietz)
Coroner (Republican - Steve Newton, Howard Cooper & Democrat - Thomas Rudd, Artis Yancey)
Lake County Recorder (Republican - Bob Bednar, Marty Blumenthal)
State's Attorney (Republican - Louise Hayes, Mike Neirheim, Bryan Winter & Democrat - Chris Kennedy, Reginald Mathews, Karen Boyd Williams)

Date: Sunday, February 12, 2012
Time: 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., Doors will open at 1:00 p.m.
Place: University Center of Lake County
1200 University Center Drive
Grayslake, IL 60030
Located at the northeast edge of the College of Lake County campus
(north of Lancer Lane, south of Washington,
east of Rte. 83, west of Rte. 45)

August Meeting to be held in Lake Bluff

2011-08-10T10:39:00.002-05:00

Our August Board Meeting will be held at 1 pm on Thursday, August 11 at a private residence in Lake Bluff. If you are interested in attending, please email lwvlakecounty@gmail.com .

2011 LWV State Convention

2011-08-10T10:34:00.003-05:00

Rita and Rosemary, active members of the LWV of Lake County and their local league, are shown here at the League of Women Voters of Illinois 2011 State Convention. This year's convention was held during June in Skokie.

LWV Testifies at Tollway Hearing

2011-08-10T10:28:00.004-05:00

Tollway Forum draws discussion of Route 53 extension

By Amy Alderman TribLocal reporter Friday at 6:43 p.m. (Libertyville) 7-15-11

Click here to read the story at the TribLocal site

Most people in the standing-room only crowd that recently packed an Illinois Tollway forum in Libertyville said it’s time to get on the road with a Route 53 north extension. And many said tolls on the route could pay for the project.

But since Gov. Pat Quinn supports a west bypass on the Elgin-O’Hare expressway as the next project for the tollway system, Route 53 lingers at the bottom of the state’s top five projects for the next ten years.

“We heard a clear message from voters,” Lake County Board Chairman Dave Stolman said at the Illinois Tollway Capital Planning Forum on July 15. “They want 53 built. We know the extension is vital to economic development. It would promote diversity in our tax base. We are pleased and excited the tollway is considering these projects.”

Although it’s not first, neither is the Route 53 extension last on the tollway’s to-do list. Many other prospective Tollway road projects are not in the 10-year plan, said Bill Morris, a director on the Illinois Tollway board.

Plus, building a toll extension of Route 53 is an alternative to not building an expressway expansion at all, when state funds aren’t there to make it happen.

That way the drivers who are using the road would be the ones paying for the extension, tollway officials said. In the meantime, the tollway system is paying for projects as it goes while grappling with just $5.1 billion in projected revenue and $6.1 billion in projected costs, leaving a $1.1 billion gap, said Kristi Lafleur, Illinois Tollway executive director.

“Route 53 has made the cut. It’s not going away, but one year is just a way to figure out what we’re doing about it,” he said. “This is going to cost a bucket full of money.”

That’s why tollway officials appointed 25 people to an Illinois Route 53 Blue Ribbon Advisory Council on June 30. Members are both for and against the extending the expressway through Lake County.

The advisory council has been charged with developing a regional consensus on whether or not to move forward on the Illinois Route 53 extension, the scope and configuration, the design and elements, and how to finance the project, according to the Illinois Tollway.

“It is daunting to move from controversy to consensus,” said George Ranney, who was appointed by Illinois Tollway officials as council co-chair, along with Stolman.

Ranney has historically been against a Route 53 extension. Tollway officials found a way to bend his ear to get involved in this round of the discussions because of new technologies that would lessen the impact on the environment, and the expertise of the diverse Blue Ribbon panel.

“The advisory council has a whole lot of promise,” he said. “There are ways of working the road through wetlands to avoid a Los Angeles type big modern highway. Although I was opposed in the past, I’m willing to work with the group to try to make it work. I would like to see a good and constructive solution.”

But not everyone is for the extension.

Mary Mathews, a Lake County League of Women Voters representative, said that the 2009 Lake County Referendum showing a 76 percent approval rating for the extension isn’t an accurate portrayal of what residents want. Several people noted that the referendum didn’t include information about using tolls to pay for an extension.

There were 89,522 votes cast in that election, which makes up 22 percent of registered voters in Lake County, according to Lake County Circuit Clerk records. Of those votes 64,000 voted for extending route 53 through Lake County, and 20,462 people voted against it.

“We are for the upkeep of the current system, but 76 percent of people were voting for it on a light turnout. That was not 76 percent of residents,” Mathews said. “We need mass transportation. We do not need more roads. That should be the primary focus, and taking care of what we already have.”

Environmentalists as well as some officials overseeing the wetlands where the extension would run through were also not all in favor of the extension.

“I have historically been opposed to the road because it could impact a wetland,” said Maria Rodriguez, Long Grove President. “We have got to be very careful on how we protect natural drainage system.”

Members of the Lake County Audubon Society, the Liberty Prairie Foundation and the Environmental Law and Policy Center, who are on the Advisory Council, shared cautious, but optimistic voices on the possible impact on wildlife and wetlands in Lake County.

“The bottom line is the roads have been impressive,” Sarah Wochos, senior policy advocate. “We want to make sure we minimize the impact. We remain optimistic about the future.”

There were many jeers about the discussion of extending Route 53 farther into Lake County being nearly a half-century old subject at the three-hour forum.

“This is the time to fish or cut bait,” Morris said.

LWV Testifies regarding redistricting at LC Board Meeting

2011-08-10T10:24:00.000-05:00

LWV-LC Testimony Regarding Redistricting at Lake County Board Meeting 6-14-11

Many of you are familiar with the League of Women Voters. We work with Willard on voter registration. We have held non-partisan candidate forums for many of you when you ran for office. And then, we also advocate on issues such as: transparency in government. This past year, at the state level, the League worked with a number of organizations to try to get the Fair Map Amendment passed, which the Republican Party supported.

When Chairman Stolman contacted the League along with two other organizations MALDEF and the NAACP, we were happy with the prospect of being involved with the redistricting process. He assured us it would not be political and would not be a repeat of Springfield's shenanigans. Each of you was sent an email of our expectations for the process.

So now today, the full County Board is being asked to vote on the map that the Reapportionment Committee has proposed and approved last week.

The other day, there was a news article that Mr. Stolman said the three organizations, MALDEF, NAACP and the League of Women Voters, found the map to be fair. I am here to dispel any misconceptions about our reactions to the proposed map. The three organizations do believe that the map complies with the Voting Rights Act, and having 4 districts for minority voters is fair. However, we do not believe that the lack of transparency, lack of public notice, and lack of public input is fair. And then there is the gerrymandering! Unfortunately, the Reapportionment Committee did exactly what Mr. Stolman said they would not do: they based the districts on politics and they used Springfield's play book. The only difference was that it was the Republicans not the Democrats.

Years ago, someone who rose pretty high in state government explained that politics was helping your friends and hurting your enemies.

Let's look at some questionable parts of the map. See the northern boundary of District 8. There is a little 2 block section that has been cut out of District 8 and included in District 2. Who does that help and who does that hurt? Or do you really think that small area was excluded to get the population count right?

Let's look at another area. Part of the redistricting process is to keep a municipality intact, so uniting Grayslake into one district seems like a good idea. Although nearby Round Lake Beach is divided into 3 districts, and Gurnee is divided into 4 districts. But currently Grayslake has 2 Democratic incumbents who now will have to face off against each other. And on the eastern side of the county, we find another new district with 2 incumbent Democrats - Audrey Nixon and Angelo Kyle. One would think with a Board of 13 Republican and 10 Democrats, the odds would be that 2 Republicans would be in the same district or possibly one Republican and one Democrat.

Now, for interesting gerrymandering, let's look at the southeast corner, districts 12, 13 and 21. District 21 has become ever more ridiculous than before. Poor little Deerfield was in one district, now is in three. Part of it has been combined with Lake Forest. Lake Forest's natural partner of Lake Bluff has been cut off into a new District combined with parts of North Chicago, Waukegan, and Gurnee. What exactly do those communities share in common? If Susan Gravenhorst weren't retiring, Lake Forest and Lake Bluff would not be separated. So again, who benefits? and who gets hurt?

I think we should just acknowledge that this map was not drawn to benefit the residents of Lake County, but instead, was indeed political to help the majority party. Let's hope that the next time around, we have a better process that serves the people, and allows them to vote for their representatives, and does not just protect the jobs of the incumbents in the majority party.

LWV-Lake County

July Meeting at Waukegan Yacht Club

2011-08-10T10:21:00.002-05:00

Our July 2011 meeting was held at the Waukegan Yacht Club. We had the pleasure of watching the boats and the calming water while we conducted the business of our meeting.

LWV and AAUW co-sponsor Waukegan School Board Candidate Forum

2011-08-10T10:16:00.003-05:00

For the Spring 2011 elections, LWV of Lake County and AAUW Waukegan Area Branch co-sponsored a Forum for those running for the Waukegan District 60 School Board. This district covers both the elementary and high schools in Waukegan. The forum was held at Miguel Juarez Middle School. Joan Kaltsas of the LWV Lake Forest Lake Bluff Area served as the moderator.

Annual Meeting

2011-08-10T10:06:00.004-05:00

At our Annual Meeting in June we elected officers who will serve for the next two years and voted on our biennial budget.

It was held at Linda's home and we were able to enjoy her beautiful garden.

REDISTRICTING IN LAKE COUNTY, IL: Letter to Reapportionment Committee

2011-06-02T21:10:00.005-05:00

May 3, 2011

Lake County Board Members and Reapportionment Committee:

On a national, state, and local level, the League of Women Voters considers the redistricting process of paramount importance and one critical to democracy.

The League of Women Voters of Lake County was pleased with the Lake County Board's outreach to it and two other organizations: NAACP and MALDEF. However, given the impact that the results of this process will have over the next 10 years, we are disappointed with the Board's attempt to make its work transparent.

We encourage the Committee to engage in: more outreach, more communication with the public, and providing more opportunity for public input into the process.

There is very little redistricting information on the County's web site. Considering its importance, the Committee's redistricting work should be more visible and prominent on the web site and include regular status reports and notice of upcoming meetings. We also suggest newspapers and other media be made aware of your schedule, purpose, and locations of future meetings.

While the demographer and lawyer were introduced at your last meeting, we would like to see more information about them made available to the public. Who are they? Do they have any political connections?

The demographer was the same one who drew the maps ten years ago, when the County was sued. What did he learn, what will he do differently? We would like to see more information about the people actively involved in the map drawing.

We were satisfied that the Committee voted to reduce the number of districts to 21. Since 1989 the League of Women Voters of Lake County has supported the idea of fewer districts. There was some implication that as two commissioners were retiring, the reduced number of districts could be easier to draw as their districts will be enclosed with others. This information is irrelevant to the approach the demographer should take.

During the meeting, Committee members often referred to districts by the name of the current commissioner. We would like to be assured that was only meant as a way to refer to a district, rather than using its district number. The demographer should not start the process with the current districts and move the lines according to the population changes. He should start by dividing the county into 21 equal-sized districts and then move the lines according to population, community of interest, and other criteria. This may result in some new districts without a current commissioner residing within the new lines. We must remember that the districts are to be drawn for the voter to choose representation and not to protect a commissioner's job.

We suggest there be a number of meetings/hearings at different locations throughout Lake County, both during the day and evening so more people can be informed and involved. Residents, organizations, and public officials may want to view and comment on any proposed maps. As there was standing-room-only at the last meeting, a larger room is needed for Waukegan meetings.

Kane County has posted a draft map to the internet. Lake County should consider the same.

The League looks forward to working with the Committee and other interested parties in providing the best possible outcome for the residents of Lake County.

Sincerely,

League of Women Voters - Lake County

LWV MEMBERS MEET WITH CONGRESSMAN ROBERT DOLD

2011-04-29T01:01:00.014-05:00

LWV MEMBERS MEET WITH CONGRESSMAN ROBERT DOLD

On Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 1 p.m., representatives from 10 different Leagues in the 10th Congressional District met with U.S. Rep. Robert Dold. The meeting was chaired by Joan Kaltsas, League of Women Voters - Lake County. Ms. Kaltsas explained that the League of Women Voters is a large organization, in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Hong Kong and that there are 44 Leagues in Illinois. She said that we are non‐partisan, and advocate positions on issues but do not support specific candidates. The 15 League representatives then introduced themselves.

Dold Introduces Himself and states his priorities

Congressman Dold described himself as owner of a family business in pest management who grew up in this district. He has been a scoutmaster for 11 years and is an Eagle Scout himself. Congressman Dold's priorities are Great Lakes protection, human rights, jobs and the economy, and reducing federal spending. Along with Democratic Rep. Lipinski, he introduced the Great Lakes Water Protection Act. It was referred to the Transportation Infrastructure Committee. It is also supported by U.S. Senators Kirk and Durbin.

Dold on Human Rights, the Economy, Spending Reduction

On human rights, he introduced bills supporting the Bahais in Iran and recognizing the Armenian genocide. On jobs and the economy, he supports pro‐growth strategies for the private sector, not government. He works with the nine Democratic freshmen on this, as well as the 86 other Republican freshmen. He wants only smart regulation of business, not constraining regulations such as the 1099 requirement for small business. He supported repeal of this requirement. On spending reduction, Dold believes the Republican interests, e.g. in defense and agricultural subsidies, should be cut first, to show good faith to the Democrats. Every federal department should be cut except aid to Israel since it is our "only ally" in the Middle East. Dold believes overspending must be stopped by both parties "if the American dream is to come true for our children and grandchildren."

Dold on the Clean Air Act, Voting Rights, Transparency in Government

On the Clean Air Act, Dold said the EPA "fills a role" and that the carbon footprint must be reduced, but only in ways that don't put companies out of business. Some regulation is needed but it must pay off for business. He favors extension of the renewable energy tax credits due to expire in 2012. On voting rights, Dold favors making it easier to vote. A signature, not a picture, should be required to identify voters. On transparency, due to the Citizens United decision, he fears that shell corporations are cropping up to enable rich individuals to influence elections.

Dold on Civility in Discourse

On civility, i.e. partisan bickering, he seemed proud of working with Illinois Democrats (e.g. Gutierrez, Lipinski, etc.), the nine freshmen Democrats, and the "blue dog" Democrats on legislation. He said moderates like himself in Congress are rare due to redistricting that protects safe districts for both parties. He also said that independent voters determine elections, and they will swing to the other party if incumbents don't produce. When asked about dissension within the Republican party, he said that across‐the‐board cuts are needed but again, not in aid to Israel. This aid also must be audited to ensure that it doesn't go to terrorists (Hamas). He believes both parties are angry that the Administration didn't consult Congress before entering the conflict in Libya. He supported ending the Joint Strike Force Fighter program.

Dold on the Affordable Health Care Act

On the Affordable Health Care Act, he criticized the process by which it was written without Republican input more than the content. He said we need health care reform, citing that cost for health care in his company has risen 44% in a short period. He would replace/reform provisions rather than repeal it. He favors the pre‐existing conditions provision but wants malpractice reform and competition across state lines so that employers can purchase plans anywhere in the country.

Lake County Women’s Coalition Honors Local Area Women's Organization Founders

2011-03-30T23:28:00.006-05:00

On March 26, 2011, The Lake County Women's Coalition (LCWC) celebrated Women's History Month with a brunch honoring founders of local area women's organizations. Held at State Bank of the Lakes in Grayslake, a near-capacity crowd feted 12 women, including League of Women Voters of Lake County board member, Sally Zeit. As women often wear many hats in life, each woman was humorously "crowned" by former coroner and LCWC founder Barbara Richardson with a hat that was in style duringthe era in which she served.

The other honorees were: Margaret Kaiser (AAUW Waukegan Area Branch and YWCA Lake County), Stephanie Sulthin (Altrusa International Lake County), Sue DeWulf (Aux Plaines Chapter 99s), Eleanor Luby (Beta Sigma Phi), Ann Hughes Johnson (GFWC 10th District), Virginia Blomquist (Waukegan Area Church Women United), Doris Devore (Waukegan Area Church Women United), Emily Rees Wilcox (Waukegan Area Church Women United), Virginia Fredrick (Women Interested in Government), Mary Leben (Women's Business Exchange).

Click here to read the Lake County News Sun article about the event.

Fall 2010 Candidate Forums

2010-11-01T16:13:00.007-05:00

Grayslake High School Students preparing for forum (top)

8th Congressional District Candidates (bottom)

October 20,2010 forum

Lake County Clerk candidates (top)

Regional Superintendent of Schools candidates (bottom)

October 7 candidate forum

Candidate Forum at Grayslake High School, Wed., Oct. 20, 2010

2010-10-08T00:03:00.000-05:00

Candidate Forum at Grayslake High School

On Wed., Oct. 20, 2010 the League of Women Voters of Lake County and Grayslake Community High School District 127 will hold a Forum with candidates running for the 8^th Congressional District, the 31^st State Senate, and the 62^nd State Representative.

There are three candidates running for the 8^th Congressional seat. Melissa Bean, the Democratic incumbent, will attend. Her Republican opponent Joe Walsh, who participated in the League's January Candidate Forum for the primary, also will attend. The third candidate to participate is Bill Scheurer for the Green Party. He has run against Bean previously.

The candidates for State Senate 31^st District are the Democratic incumbent Michael Bond and his opponent Suzi Schmidt. Currently Schmidt is the Lake County Board Chair. Her term does not expire until 2012. Both will participate.

The candidates for the 62^nd State Representative race are participating. They are Sandy Cole, the Republican incumbent, and her Democratic opponent Rich Voltair.

The forum will start promptly at 6:30 pm at the Grayslake Central High School, 400 N. Lake St., Grayslake.

Grayslake Honors and Advanced Placement Government students will play an active role in the forum. Social Studies Department teachers are pleased with the opportunity for students, after thoroughly researching pertinent topics at both the federal and state levels, to question candidates in person.

(additional contact – Tracey Landry, Social Studies Dept. Chair, Grayslake North H.S. 847-986-3100 ext 5604)

Candidate Forum in Waukegan on Thurs., Oct. 7, 2010

2010-09-26T23:46:00.001-05:00

Candidate Forum in Waukegan

On Thurs., Oct 7, 2010, the League of Women Voters of Lake County and AAUW-Waukegan Area Branch are co-sponsoring a Candidate Forum. Candidates running for Lake County Board Member District #8, Lake County Sheriff, Clerk, and Regional School Superintendent are participating. Some of these are hotly contested races and candidates should be prepared to answer many questions from the audience.

The Forum will be held in Waukegan City Hall Council Chambers, at 100 N. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. Waukegan. It will begin at 6:00 p.m.

There are four candidates for the Lake County Board district #8. They are Kevin Gartley, Green party; Bill Durkin, Democrat; Keith Turner, Independent; and Gregory Flesher, a write-in.

Candidates running to lead various Lake County Departments are participating. The candidates for County Clerk are Willard Helander, Republican incumbent, and Laura Tomsky, Democrat. Mark Curran, Republican incumbent, is running for Sheriff again. Mr. Curran won the 2006 election as a Democrat but changed parties in 2008. His Democratic opponent is Douglas Roberts. Campaigning for Regional Superintendent are Roycealee Wood, Republican incumbent and Dan McDermott, Democrat.

Candidates for the 60th State Representative seat also were invited. Rita Mayfield has declined participating due to a scheduling conflict. Valerie De Vost, who is a write-in candidate, will briefly introduce herself and will be available to meet with voters.

Candidate Forum at Grayslake High School on Wed., Oct. 20, 2010

2010-09-26T23:43:00.001-05:00

Candidate Forum at Grayslake High School

On Wed. Oct. 20, 2010 the League of Women Voters of Lake County and Grayslake Community High School District 127 will hold a Forum with candidates running for the 8th Congressional District, the 31st State Senate, and the 62nd State Representative.

There are three candidates running for the 8th Congressional seat. Melissa Bean, the Democratic incumbent, will attend. Her Republican opponent Joe Walsh, who participated in the League's January Candidate Forum for the primary, also will attend. The third candidate to participate is Bill Scheurer for the Green Party. He has run against Bean previously.

The candidates for State Senate 31st District are the Democratic incumbent Michael Bond and his opponent Suzi Schmidt. Currently Schmidt is the Lake County Board Chair. Her term does not expire until 2012. Both will participate.

The candidates for the 62nd State Representative race are participating. They are Sandy Cole, the Republican incumbent, and her Democratic opponent Rich Voltair.

The forum will start promptly at 6:30 pm at the Grayslake Central High School, 400 N. Lake St., Grayslake.

Grayslake Honors and Advanced Placement Government students will play an active role in the forum. Social Studies Department teachers are pleased with the opportunity for students, after thoroughly researching pertinent topics at both the federal and state levels, to question candidates in person.

(additional contact – Tracey Landry, Social Studies Dept. Chair, Grayslake North H.S. 847-986-3100 ext 5604)

LWV-Lake County Annual Meeting and Birthday Luncheon June, 2010

2010-07-15T08:43:00.001-05:00

LWV-Lake County (Lake County League) succeeded in mixing business with pleasure! The League held a birthday party along with its annual meeting. On Saturday June 19, over 30 members and guests celebrated the 40th birthday in style at South Gate Café in Lake Forest. The event brought together old friends who hadn’t seen each other in years. Long-time volunteers from Kids First Health Fair reunited. Previous past presidents had a chance to catch up. Every current and past local league in Lake County were represented. Some local elected officials also attended. The food was delicious (especially the desserts) and the room was lovely, with gorgeous floral arrangements provided by Linda Bartmes.

Rita Kirby presided and kept the business meeting short. Due to Lake County League’s biennial schedule, only Program needed to be adopted. Current positions were retained. The County League will continue to register voters (as always coordinated by Jo-An Sabonjian) and provide Candidate Forums. Lake County League Board members will continue to be active in Criminal Justice, Transportation and the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan, and the Lake County Women’s Coalition. Other actions may develop from State and National plans for this upcoming year.

The Lake County League responded to two of State’s initiatives last year. The County League was active in promoting the Census in a number of towns, especially notable were Judy Johnston’s efforts in Highwood. Also, League members obtained petition signatures for the Fair Map Amendment. Sally Zeit obtained over 200 signatures by herself!

Last year for the primary, the LWV-Lake County hosted 3 forums in coalition with a number of organizations coordinated by Mary Mathews. Additionally, Diane Sanderson developed an important new partnership with Grayslake High School. The forums covered 6 races at three levels of government. There also was a short program about judicial races in Lake County. The forums were held in Grayslake, Vernon Hills, and North Chicago. (We go where there is a need!)

The County League also co-sponsored with LWV-Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Area the program “Health Care: How to Cure the Chronic Crisis”. This very successful program was videotaped and shown on public access TV throughout the northern suburbs and online.

As part of the business meeting, Jane Partridge reported the recent activities at the National Convention in Atlanta. Membership is up and so is the enthusiasm. There are ample opportunities to be involved.

After the business meeting, the fun began with Rosemary Heilemann leading the way. Rosemary read the Proclamation that the Lake County Board had awarded LWV-Lake County for its 40 years of service to the county. A token of appreciation was given to past presidents Phyllis Albrecht, Gail Brown, Joan Kaltsas, Barbara Volin, and Sally Zeit for their hard work and leadership. Then, Joan Kaltsas addressed the audience with an amusing history of the Lake County League from her perspective as a past president.

Next, guest speaker, Corinne Wood provided insight into the political situations of Chicago and Illinois. Corinne is a longtime League member. As the former Lt. Governor and a State Representative, she has a wealth of experience. One of her many current activities is sitting on the Board of Chicago Metropolis 2020, a coalition partner of the State League. Corinne spoke not only about the status of Metropolis 2020 but also about a sister organization Change Illinois! Corinne along with Paula Lawson, LWV-IL, serve on the Steering Committee of Change Illinois! This organization works for campaign finance reform and redistricting reform. Corinne later expressed her pleasure in visiting with so many women who were dedicated to action and issues.

With that in mind, LWV-Lake County will continue to encourage informed and active participation in government, work to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influence public policy through education and advocacy.

40th Anniversary Luncheon

2010-06-05T20:11:00.003-05:00

Members of the LWV-LC luncheon committee

We are 40 and Celebrating!

Forty years have passed, and the League of Women Voters of Lake County is looking forward to the next forty. “Back to the Future” is the theme of its birthday luncheon on Saturday, June 19, 2010 at South Gate Café, Lake Forest. Quite a party is planned, no dancing in the aisles, but certainly some laughs, reflection, and a call to action. Anyone interested (past, present, and future) in the League may join the celebration.

The League of Women Voters of Lake County (LWV-LC) has accomplished much over the last40 years. Hundreds of citizens from high school age and above have registered to vote with the help of the League. Through the League’s efforts, thousands of citizens, after attending candidates' forums or viewing the programs on cable TV, have been able to make informed voting decisions. They have been held for elective offices at all levels of government within Lake County: mayor, township, county, state, and U.S. Congress. Depending on the candidates, the forums have been amusing, boring, interesting, surprising, but always educational.

For 14 years, the League sponsored, and members volunteered at the Kids First Health Fair held in Waukegan. Over the years, thousands of deserving children received medical checkups and school supplies in this Back-to-School activity held in August.

State Senator Susan Garrett has appreciated the many facets of the League over the years. As a League member and as a League past president, she attended many candidate forums: now she participates in them. Senator Garrett said, "I am thankful for the League's work in educating both the public and elected officials. I always can depend on League members to be knowledgeable about the issues and to provide strong feedback. The League strives to make democracy work for all citizens."

The Lake County Board has issued a proclamation honoring the League and will present it at its June 8 meeting.

During the luncheon, members will honor many of the past presidents. Invitees include Phyllis Albrecht (Lake Bluff), Gail Brown and Barbara Volin (Highland Park), Madeleine Fuqua (Waukegan), Joan Kaltsas (Lake Bluff), Cari Sevcik (Lake Forest), and Sally Zeit (Waukegan) who each led the League vigorously while focusing on pertinent issues.

Over the years, the League has studied and advocated on such issues as transportation and land use, watershed management, and criminal justice. LWV-LC has held many public programs on such diverse subjects as health care, the death penalty, and the reuse of Fort Sheridan, to name a few. Many of these programs were videotaped and shown on public access TV.

Guest speaker, Corinne Wood will provide a look into the future. As a board member of Chicago Metropolis 2020, she will update us on its progress, and the future prospects of our shared interests. She also will address political reform, another League favorite subject.

Corinne Wood is a long-time League member and Lake Forest resident. She not only was the State Representative for the district, but went on to become the first woman Lt. Governor for Illinois. She played an important role leading efforts on health care, downtown economic development, rural affairs, family issues, and the environment. After 20 years in public service, Wood remains active in local and state politics by serving in various roles with the Illinois State Republican Party, the Lake County Republican Federation, and the Illinois Lincoln Series. She continues to speak on issues of women’s health, public service, and politics.

Chicago Metropolis 2020 is an organization that was formed by the Commercial Club of Chicago with a mission of ensuring that the Chicago region is one of the places in the world where people most want to work and live in the 21st Century.

While the Lake County League is celebrating its 40th birthday, the League of Women Voters of the United States is celebrating its 90th. It was founded in 1920, 6 months before the ratification of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. The League of Women Voters has become a national grassroots organization with 850 local and state Leagues throughout the 50 states. Mary G. Wilson, national president of the League of Women Voters, remarked, “As we celebrate this milestone birthday, most importantly, we’ll be doing what we always do: discussing the important issues, challenging the status quo and demanding accountability."

Please contact Linda Bartmes for further information – 847-234-7069. The League can offer a rewarding experience.

League of Women Voters - Lake County, 2010

2010-04-20T00:01:00.004-05:00

Angelo Kyle, Democratic Candidate for St. Rep., 60th Dist.

Eddie Washington, Democratic Candidate for St. Rep., 60th Dist.

John Krempotic, Democratic Candidate for Lake County Sheriff

Doug Roberts, Democratic Candidate for Lake County Sheriff

In January 2010, the League of Women Voters of Lake County hosted three successful candidate forums covering 6 races at 3 levels of government (federal, state and county) with a variety of co-sponsoring organizations. The locations also were varied: Grayslake, North Chicago, and Vernon Hills. Our adaptability keeps our League members busy!

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On Sunday, January. 10, 2010 the League of Women Voters of Lake County, the Daily Herald, and Grayslake Community High School District 127 hosted a forum for candidates running for the 8th Congressional District and for the 62nd State Representative. All 6 Republican candidates, Dirk Beveridge, John Dawson, Christopher Geissler, Maria Rodriguez, Gregory Jacobs, and Joe Walsh, participated. Democratic write-in candidate Jonathan Farnick was expected to attend, but he had car trouble. Melissa Bean, the Democratic incumbent, declined participating in any forums this period as she was uncontested on the ballot.

For the 62nd State Representative race, both Republican candidates, Sandy Cole, incumbent, and Paul Mitchell, attended. The Democratic candidate Rich Voltair was unopposed in the primary and was not invited.

In November, Diane S. had invited the Grayslake School District to co-sponsor the event. The Social Study teachers and High School administrators were excited about this learning experience for their Advanced Placement Government and Honors students. Four students acted as co-moderators with Joan Kaltsas. Many students volunteered to make this a very successful forum. The auditorium was filled with students, parents, teachers, and residents.

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On Sunday Jan. 24, the third forum was held at the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago. The races were for the 60th State Representative and Lake County Sheriff. The League had worked previously with the NAACP and Waukegan Leadership Council and asked both organizations to co-sponsor this forum. Judy H., (LWV-EV) not only moderated the forum, and but also made brief presentations about the Census Complete Count and the Fair Map Amendment petition to the full auditorium.

Democratic 60th State Rep. candidates Eddie Washington (incumbent) and Angelo Kyle attended. There were no Republicans on the ballot. John Krempotic and Douglas Roberts, candidates for Lake County Sheriff, attended. The winner in the primary will run against Mark Curran, Republican incumbent, in the general election in November.

As the State League had clarified its position regarding the Fair Map redistricting petitions, LWV-LC volunteers were able to gather signatures at the forum.

We are looking forward to the fall!

59th Dist. State Rep & Lake County Judgeship Candidates Forum

2010-01-23T21:36:00.026-06:00

Click here to view video of the forum. Judges statements begin at approximately 73 minutes into the video. Thank you to LWV of Lake Forest Lake Bluff Area for streaming the video. Video from the LWV 10th Congressional District Forum is also available on the website. www.lwv-lflb.org

On Sunday, January 17, 2010, The League of Women Voters of Lake County co-sponsored a candidate forum with the Daily Herald Newspaper. It was held at the Laschen Community Center in Vernon Hills.

A welcome statement was given by Pete Nenni, Lake County Editor of the Daily Herald. All candidates for 59th District State Representative were in attendance. The Democratic Candidates were Carol Sente and Elliott Hartstein. The Republican Candidates were Dan Sugrue, Mohan Manian and Cynthia R. Hebda. Joan Kaltsas of the Lake Forest Lake Bluff Area was the moderator.

The Honorable Margaret Mullen gave a brief presentation on the courts in Lake County and qualities to consider when voting for judges. Six candidates for judgeships each gave a brief statement on his/her qualifications and why they were seeking the office. Republican candidates for the Appellate Court, Second District were Ann B. Jorgensen and Mary S. Schostak. Democratic candidates for 19th Circuit, Judgeship A, 4th Subcircuit candidates were Mark Levitt, Christopher M. Kennedy, Jeremy Cowen Schwartz and Dwayne Douglas. Wallace B. Dunn, Republican candidate for the 4th Subcircuit also attended but did not speak, as he is uncontested in the primary.

Lake County LWV busy w/Fair Map petitions, Candidates Forums, and "Complete Count" census activities -

2009-12-24T12:02:00.023-06:00

Announcing the Illinois *Fair Map* Amendment

Take Back Illinois with a Citizen Initiative on Redistricting!

The LWVIL Board voted unanimously to support a Citizen Initiative on Redistricting: the Illinois Fair Map Amendment. This proposed constitutional amendment would take redistricting out of the hands of the General Assembly, allow for public participation and input, create transparency, and provide a process that would make the once-every-decade map drawing process just and equitable.

Local Leagues will collect signatures on petitions to get the proposed amendment on the November 2010 ballot, educate our communities on why it is important to support this initiative, and encourage others to support this effort as well. We are aiming for 500,000 signatures. We can do it!

More information: Press conference statement by Nancy Marcus, LWVIL president, on December 3, 2009.
For additional information go to http://www.ilfairmap.com/

____________________________________________________________________________

Lake County Candidates Forums

10th Congressional District Candidates' Forum

Thursday, January 7, 2010, 7:00 p.m.

New Trier West High School, Bldg. C - Room 234

7 Happ Road, Northfield, IL

This forum is being held in cooperation with the several

Leagues of Women Voters in the 10th Congressional District of Illinois.

The Democratic and Republican candidates running in the

Feb. 2 Primary Election have been invited to participate.

8th Congressional District and 62nd

State Representative District

Sunday, January 10, 2010, 2:00 p.m.

Grayslake Central High School, 400 N. Lake St.

Grayslake, IL

This forum is being co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Lake County, the Grayslake Community

High School District #127, and the Daily Herald. For the

Congressional race, all 6 Republicans have agreed to attend. The Democratic write-in candidate,Jonathan Farnick, has

agreed to attend and we are waiting to hear from

Democratic incumbent, Melissa Bean.

For the 62nd state representative district race, Sandy Cole,

incumbent Republican and Paul Mitchell will participate. The Democratic primary race is not contested.

59th State Representative District, and

Judges for

Appellate Court and 19th Circuit Court

Sunday, January 17, 2010, 2:00 p.m.

Laschen Community Center, Board Room

294 Evergreen Drive, Vernon Hills, IL

This forum is being co-sponsored by the League of Women

Voters of Lake County and the Daily Herald. Both the

Democratic and Republican candidates will be participating.

Judicial candidates for the Appellate Court and the

19th Circuit Court, 4th Sub-district have been invited. They will not debate, but each candidate may make a two minute presentation of his/her qualifications.

60th State Representative District and

the Lake County Sheriff

Sunday, January 24, 2010, 2:00 p.m.

Greenbelt Cultural Center

1215 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL

This forum is co-sponsored by the LWV-LC, the NAACP, and

the Waukegan Leadership Council. For the 60th State

Representative race, Eddie Washington, Democratic

incumbent, and Angelo Kyle will attend. For the Sheriff race, the Democrats John Krempotic and Douglas Roberts will

debate. The Republican side is not contested in the primary for either race.

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2010 Census: Striving for a "Complete Count"

in Illinois

Census questionnaires will go out in March, 2010. Population figures compiled by the Census every 10 years help

determine the distribution of federal funds and the setting of political boundaries. It is especially important to get

the word out to Illinois' often undercounted poor and minority residents. In 2000, only 55 percent of Chicagoans

mailed in their forms — one of the worst return rates among the nation's major cities.

For every person in Illinois who does not send their Census questionnaire back, the state misses out on hundreds

of dollars per year. The Brookings Institution puts that figure at $12,000 per person over the next ten years.

LWVIL Selected as Lead Agency for IL Complete Count

The League of Women Voters of Illinois is pleased to announce that they have been selected by Governor Quinn

as the lead agency for Illinois’ Complete Count Committee: "Everybody In.. No One Left Out!" for Census 2010.

The League will collaborate with the Governor's office to help select Complete Count Committee members from

non-profit organizations, business community, faith-based organizations, and the media. Working with these

organizations and local Leagues from around the state, the LWVIL will help ensure that Illinois is fully counted.

More info:
Gov. Quinn Launches State’s 2010 Census Push
Video of Gov. Quinn's News Conference

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The League of Women Voters of Lake County is pleased to be actively engaged in grass-roots activities that benefit our

communities, state, and nation. We also enjoy the comraderie of working with others on these projects and meeting for social

and educational purposes. Thank you for your interest in the League of Women Voters.

Health Care Crisis Forum

2009-11-02T22:58:00.011-06:00

On Oct 5, LWV-Lake County and LWV-Lake Forest/Lake Bluff presented the program "Health Care: how to Cure the Chronic Crisis" at the Senior Center in Lake Forest. The purpose of the program was to explain why health care is so expensive and why, despite spending twice as much as other countries, there are 50 million uninsured individuals in the US. As the League supports a Public Option, the program encouraged attendees to contact their legislators.

This event was recorded and cablecast on public access channels in local communities throughout Lake County. Thanks to LWV-Lake Forest/Lake Bluff the video is now available online. Click here to view the streaming video in your browser.

Following the introductory film, Health, Money and Fear, produced by ER doctor Paul Hochfeld, two expert panelists, Jonathan VanderBrug and Courtney Hedderman, provided current legislative updates and answered questions. Phyllis Albrecht, former Lake Bluff Village President and Past President of the League of Women Voters, moderated.

Jonathan VanderBrug, the Health Care Justice Director at the Campaign for Better Health Care, explained his organization’s work for health care reform. The Campaign for Better Health Care was founded in 1989 and is the largest health care coalition in Illinois, comprising more than 300 local and statewide organizations, including Catholic Charities, Church Women United, Illinois Nurses Association, Lake County Health Department, and University of Chicago Hospitals. The Campaign has received financial funding from many foundations, including Chicago Community Trust, Prince Charitable Fund, Field Foundation of Illinois, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Courtney Hedderman is Associate State Director for AARP Illinois. She is leading projects on health care reform and working on AARP’s national campaign, "Divided We Fail." AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50 and over improve the quality of their lives. Founded in 1958, AARP has grown to 40 million members. It is the nation’s largest membership organization for people 50 and older.

In 1990, the LWVUS undertook a two-year study of the funding and delivery of health care in the United States. The LWVUS announced its position in April 1993. Since then the League has been advocating for health care reform to all administrations.

The health care position outlines the goals the LWVUS believes are fundamental for U.S. health care policy. These include policies that promote access to a basic level of quality care at an affordable cost for all U.S. residents and strong cost-control mechanisms to ensure the efficient and economical delivery of care. See www.LWV.org for more information.

2009-09-25T16:52:00.001-05:00

HEALTH CARE: how to CURE THE CHRONIC CRISIS

Monday, Oct. 5, 2009

7:00 pm

Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Senior Center

100 E. Old Mill Road, Lake Forest

Presented by: League of Women Voters of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff and League of Women Voters of Lake County

Moderator: Phyllis Albrecht, Past President, League of Women Voters

Panelists: Jonathan VanderBrug, Director, Campaign for Better Health Care;

and Courtney Hedderman, Assoc. State Director, AARP Illinois

Film: Health, Money and Fear produced by Dr. Paul Hochfeld

Do you have health care reform questions? If so, attend the program “Health Care: how to Cure the Chronic Crisis” presented by the League of Women Voters. A film outlining the problems with the current health care system will be shown first. Then representatives from Campaign for Better Health Care and AARP will provide legislative updates and explain how these can affect your health care and others. A question period will follow.

Candidate Forums Cablecast Schedule

2008-10-10T21:52:00.005-05:00

Link to PDF of Candidate Forums Cablecast Schedule
(ctrl-click to open the above link in a new tab or window)

Cablecasts on Comcast Public Access Cable Channels

Highland Park Comcast Channel 19
serving Highland Park, Bannockburn, Deerfield, Fort Sheridan, Glencoe, Highwood,Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Winnetka

The Lake County Offices Forum
State's Attorney, Coroner, Circuit Court Clerk, 2 Judgeships
When: Fridays at noon, beginning Oct. 10 through Nov. 4

The 58th Illinois Representative District Debate
Karen May and Tim Stratton
When: Fridays at 2 p.m., beginning Oct. 10 until Nov. 4

The 10th Congressional District Debate
Mark Kirk and Dan Seals (not yet held, scheduled for 2 pm, Sunday, Oct. 19, Deerfield High School)
When: Tuesdays at 11 a.m., start date TBD until Nov. 4

Skokie Comcast Channels 19 and 35
channel 19 serving Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Inverness (parts), Lincolnwood, Maine Twp.,
Morton Grove, New Trier Twp., Niles, Northfield, Northfield Twp., Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Wilmette

channel 35 serving Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Des Plaines, Glenview, Golf, Hanover Park, Mt. Prospect, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg, Skokie, Streamwood, Wheeling

The Lake County Offices Forum
State's Attorney, Coroner, Circuit Court Clerk, 2 Judgeships
When: Fri., Oct. 24 at 3:00 p.m and Mon., Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.

The 58th Illinois Representative District Debate
Karen May and Tim Stratton
When: Mon., Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. and Mon., Nov. 3 at 10 p.m.

The 10th Congressional District Debate
Mark Kirk and Dan Seals (not yet held, scheduled for 2 pm, Sunday, Oct. 19, Deerfield High School)
When: Mon., Oct. 27 at 8:30 p.m. and Mon., Nov. 3 at 8:30 p.m. (planned)

Waukegan Comcast Channel 17
serving Beach Park, Del Mar Woods, Grayslake, Great Lakes Naval, Green Oaks, Gurnee, Lake Bluff, Lake Eleanor, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Mundelein, North Chicago, Park City, Third Lake, Wadsworth, Wauconda, Waukegan, Winthrop Harbor, Zion

The Lake County Offices Forum
State's Attorney, Coroner, Circuit Court Clerk, 2 Judgeships
When: Sundays, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 at 3:30 p.m.

The 58th Illinois Representative District Debate
Karen May and Tim Stratton
When: Sundays, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 at 6:30 p.m.

The 10th Congressional District Debate
Mark Kirk and Dan Seals(not yet held, scheduled for 2 pm, Sunday, Oct. 19, Deerfield High School)
When: Sundays, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. (planned)

DVDs of Candidate Forums NOW AVAILABLE

2008-10-09T13:28:00.003-05:00

Call 847-727-5158 or
e-mail league@lakecounty.il.lwvnet.org for DVDs
See post below for cablecast dates

Lake County Countywide Offices Candidate Forum
(Coroner, Circuit Court Clerk, State's Attorney, 1st and 2nd Subcircuits Judgeships)
held on September 28, 2008

State Representative District 58 (May v. Stratton)
held on October 5, 2008

Small donation to help cover cost of duplication requested.

Candidate Forum Cablecast Schedule Channel 19 - Highland Park Public Access

2008-10-03T21:10:00.027-05:00

Highland Park Comcast Public Access Center, Channel 19, serves Bannockburn, Deerfield, Fort Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Winnetka.

Lake County Offices, Fridays at noon, beginning October 10
will run through Election Day
September 28 forum held at Warren Newport Library
Co-sponsored with Daily Herald and AAUW Waukegan Area Branch

State's Attorney (Jacobs v. Waller)
Coroner (Keller v. Oster)
Circuit Court Clerk (Coffelt v. Haran)

Also hear statements by 19th Circuit Judgeship candidates
Subciruit 1 (Bridges v. Ukena) and
Subcircuit 2 (Ceckowski v. Weinstein)

Read the Daily Herald and Pioneer Press coverage of the forum. Kudos to our moderator, Kathy Tate-Bradish, for skillfully handling a potential blow up!

Daily Herald - Flare-ups During Lake County State's Attorney Debate
Pioneer Press - Lake County State's Attorney Foes Trade Barbs

58th District State Representative, Fridays at 2 pm, beginning October 10
Karen May v. Tim Stratton
October 5 forum at Patty Turner Senior Center
will run through Election Day

10th US Congressional District, Tuesdays at 11 am, start date TBD
Mark Kirk v. Dan Seals
October 19 forum at Deerfield High School
will run through Election Day

Content Coming Soon!

2008-10-03T20:49:00.001-05:00

We are transitioning from our traditional website to our blog.

Please contact us at 847-727-5158.