This is a must read!!

https://chicago.suntimes.com/section/opinion/

News of the Week

In order to aid with the rollout of the guide, LWVIL has created an "Illinois Voter Guide Toolkit."

A new candidate forum page will be added to Illinois Voter Guide. It is crucial that LWVIL receives timely notice of your events so they can be added and gain visibility through the guide. Please use the Event Submission Form on lwvil.org to submit your candidate forums. Find a button on the Events Calendar page to access the form, or click directly to it: http://www.lwvil.org/event-submission-form.html. 

Would any of your local Leagues want to include a questionnaire for your area candidates on our illinoisvoterguide.org site? Contact us and we will explain what needs to be done:

jdorner@lwvil.org and/or salter@lwvil.org.

National Voter Registration Day is September 25th.  Plan a registration drive! In the last Leader's Update we talked about data collection.  Make sure you record all your voter registrations here.

The LWVILEF/ABC7/Univision Gubernatorial Debate is scheduled for October 3, 2018.  We are still trying to facilitate another Gubernatorial debate in Peoria with PBS stations throughout Illinois and a possible Attorney General forum.

Saturday, September 29,  League of Women Voters of Illinois will host its annual fundraiser "State of the State" (SOS) and will look at the issue of women in politics. Getting elected to public office is merely the first battle; once a woman is elected, how can she be successful?  Our panelists for the evening include State Senator Karen McConnaughay, retired Representative Elizabeth Coulson, and the panel will be moderated by League member and former State Representative, Elaine Nekritz. Our keynote speaker will be former Illinois Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon.

This year there are some big changes; new location, new day and time. SOS will be held at the Arlington International Racetrack, 2200 West Euclid, in Arlington Heights beginning at 6:00 pm. We chose a weekend evening program to make it easier for the community to attend. Arlington International Racecourse is easily accessible via expressway (off Route 53) and by train (a direct Metra line to the door of the Racetrack).  Attendees will have the opportunity for a special behind-the-scenes tour of Arlington Race Track.

The obvious question is, Why should you attend the  SOS? Because SOS supports Leagues across Illinois and Leagues across Illinois are actively Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy. 

SOS is a big part of how LWVIL pays for programming as well as everyday operating expenses; we use the SOS fundraiser to support our Illinois Voter Guide, Voter Registration Drives and Voter Engagement Programs across the State through our local leagues. SOS funds also help LWVIL pay the rent, pay staff, buy insurance for all of our local leagues, and generally keep the lights on. All of the money raised at SOS stays in Illinois for our work. 

A block of hotel rooms have been reserved and every ticket also comes with a coupon book for Woodfield Shopping Center. When else do you have an excuse to support our work and have some fun?! Find all of the information you need to book your ticket or table and hotel here!

Ready to do more to support League of Women Voters Illinois? Purchase an ad in our SOS Program.

Platinum Full Page 8.5 X 5.5 ($750)

Gold 1/2 page 4.25 X5.5 ($500)

Silver 1/4 page 2.75X4.25 ($275) 

Please do not hesitate to email me at hgraham@lwvil.org with any questions.

*Hotel Rooms must be reserved by September 7 to receive the group rate.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. We never support or oppose any political party or candidate.