Progress on Plastics and Preserving the Preserve
Join us to discuss two of the most timely issues affecting our local environment and how we in our communities can help: reducing the proliferation of single-use plastics and protecting our forest preserves.
Reducing Single-Use Plastic
Paloma Paez-Coombe will tell us about current local and statewide efforts to eliminate single- use plastics and polystyrene (commonly known as Styrofoam®) through the Illinois Coalition for Plastic Reduction, of which LWV Chicago is a member. The coalition recognizes the threat that the ballooning plastic crisis poses to our environment. The only way to address it is by working together. The coalition’s focus is to advance policies in Illinois that limit the production, distribution, and use of single-use plastics.
Paloma Paez-Coombe is an associate with Environment Illinois. She directs the group's work to reduce single-use plastic through grassroots organizing and policy change. She also helped form and now facilitates the Coalition for Plastic Reduction.
LWV Chicago is one of 25 affiliate organizations and institutions in the Coalition for Plastic Reduction in the state.
Protecting our Preserves
Laura Davis will discuss the current state of the Cook County Forest Preserves and the importance of the upcoming November referendum to increase the funding the Forest Preserves.
On November 8, Illinois voters will get a historic opportunity to protect the state’s water sources, air quality, and wildlife habitats by approving a property tax increase of 0.025%. This increase amounts to less than $1.66/month for the vast majority of homeowners—such a small price to protect, restore, and expand our forest preserves, ensuring cleaner air and drinking water and reducing flooding.
Laura Davis is a longtime League member. She is the former co-president of LWV Palatine Area and currently an LWVIL Climate Change Issue Specialist. She is a director on the LWV Cook County board and participated in the LWV Cook County study team that recommended support for the Cook County Forest Preserve referendum.
LWV Chicago is an affiliate of the YES Vote Coalition to pass the referendum.
This briefing is presented by LWV Chicago’s Environmental Action Committee.