Action and Advocacy

The League of Women Voters takes action on an issue or advocates for a cause when there is an existing League position that supports the issue or speaks to the cause.

Positions result from a process of study. Any given study, whether it be National, State, or Local, is thorough in its pursuit of facts and details. As the study progresses, a continuing discussion of pros and cons of each situation occurs. Prior to the results of the study being presented to the general membership, study committee members fashion consensus questions that are then addressed by the membership.

Additional discussion, pro and con, takes place as members (not part of the study committee) learn the scope of the study. After the members reach consensus, the board forms positions based on that consensus.

It is the consensus statement -- the statement resulting from the consensus questions -- that becomes a position. Firm action or advocacy can then be taken on the particular issue addressed by the position. Without a position, action/advocacy cannot be taken.

Statement made to announce the filing of a suit in Federal Court April 2, 2013, given by Helene S. Gabelnick, Vice-President LWVChicago

One of the basic principles of the League of Women Voters acts on is Representative Government: We "Promote an open governmental system that is representative, accountable and responsive."

In 2011, Chicago residents elected aldermen for 4 year terms. In 2012, the City Council redistricted ward boundaries. Residents are now told that the alderman representing the new 2012 ward boundaries within which they reside, not the alderman elected from the ward boundaries as they existed for the 2011 election, represents them. The aldermen are not accountable to the citizens that are moved into redrawn wards, because they did not elect the aldermen. Also, the aldermen may not be responsive to those who elected them, but who will not vote in that ward in the 2015 election. Thus, the aldermen are untethered from the electorate.

We feel that the City of Chicago violated the rights of its residents by implementing the new ward boundaries before the 2015 City Council elections and reassigning aldermen to provide services and represent the residents in the redistricted wards.

We also seek a ward map based on one person + one vote as outlined in the suit. We support a redistricting process, which is timely, orderly and meets the basic criteria relating to population, compactness and contiguity, and the requirements of the 1965 U.S. Voting Rights Act and subsequent amendments.

Complaint filed in federal court on April 2, 2013

On April 16, the Judge heard a request for a preliminary injunction.

On April 24, 2013, the City of Chicago filed a Motion to Dismiss

Positions taken by the League of Women Voters of Chicago are included in Where We Stand. Topics included are City Government, Housing, Land Use, Education, Chicago Public Library, Cable TV, and Handguns.

The League of Women Voters of the United States recently released its position on the Federal Role in Public Education. This followed a study of the issue conducted by League organizations throughout the nation. The LWVUS Federal Role in Public Education Position is available here.

As a result of a nation-wide study by many members, the League of Women Voters of the United States issued a statement of its Privatization Position in June 2012.

The Chicago League is in favor of the abolishment of the death penalty. This position was recently approved by the national League of Women Voters and is a concurrence with the position of the Illinois League.

The Chicago League has been working with the Illinois League to implement HAVA, (Help American Vote Act). This federal law mandated significant changes in election laws throughout the country including the use of provisional ballots, a statewide voter registration database and new voting machines which can be used by the disabled, provide privacy for the blind and provide backup data. We will be working with the Illinois League to monitor polling places in future elections.

LWVUS IMMIGRATION POSITION
Adopted by National Board, March 2008

The League of Women Voters believes that immigration policies should promote reunification of immediate families; meet the economic, business and employment needs of the United States; and be responsive to those facing political persecution or humanitarian crises. Provision should also be made for qualified persons to enter the U.S. on student visas. All persons should receive fair treatment under the law.

The League supports federal immigration law that provides an efficient, expeditious system (with minimal or no backlogs) for legal entry of immigrants into the U.S. To complement these goals the League supports federal policies to improve economies, education, job opportunities, and living conditions in nations with large emigrating populations.

In transition to a reformed system, the League supports provisions for unauthorized immigrants already in the country to earn legal status.

The League supports federal payments to impacted communities to address the financial costs borne by states and local governments with large immigrant populations.

Criteria for Legal Admission to the U.S.

The League supports the following criteria for legal admission of persons into the United States:

• Family reunification of spouses or minor children with authorized immigrants or citizens;
• Flight from persecution or response to humanitarian crises in home countries;
• Economic, business and employment needs in the U.S.;
• Education and training needs of the U.S.;
• Educational program opportunities; and
• Lack of a history of serious criminal activity.

Administration and Enforcement
The League supports due process for all persons, including the right to a fair hearing, right to counsel, right of appeal and right to humane treatment.

The League supports:

• Improved technology to facilitate employer verification of employee status;
• Verification documents, such as status cards and work permits, with secure identifiers;
• Significant fines and penalties for employers who hire unauthorized workers;
• Improved technology for sharing information among federal agencies;
• More effective tracking of individuals who enter the United States; and
• Increased personnel at borders.

The League also supports programs allowing foreign workers to enter and leave the U.S. to meet seasonal or sporadic labor needs.

Unauthorized Immigrants Already in the U.S.
In achieving overall policy goals, the League supports a system for unauthorized immigrants already in the country to earn legal status, including citizenship, by paying taxes, learning English, studying civics and meeting other relevant criteria. While policy reforms, including a path to legal status, remain unachieved, the League does not support deporting unauthorized immigrants who have no history of criminal activity.