Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
Our Positions
The League is a nonpartisan organization, but, after careful study, we will advocate for or against particular policies in the public interest. Learn more about how the League chooses its positions.
Campaign Finance
The influence of money on politicians is well-documented and should be reformed.
In addition to supporting positive campaign finance reform proposals, we are fighting attempts to cut back on existing campaign finance laws. In 2017, the League lobbied against Congressional attempts to eliminate public financing for presidential campaigns and supported the Honest Ads Act.
We support the H.R.1 For the People Act of 2019, which includes provisions to ensure accountable and transparent financing of political campaigns.
Criminal Justice
We support alternatives to incarceration, such as the expansion of prevention and treatment programs to ease the burden on the criminal justice system. We support a statewide probation system.
We believe that judges should retain the discretion to choose between imprisonment and probation for most offenses.
We support abolishing the death penalty.
Education
Rich educational opportunities for all students in every part of the city can be the stepping stone to a more equitable distribution of resources in our hyper-segregated city.
We support the development and maintenance of high-quality and inclusive schools that meet the diverse needs of children across the city.
We support neighborhood schools over efforts towards privatization and market-based competition.
We support financial transparency from school administrations.
We support facilities, programs, and policies that address readiness for employment in the digital and information age.
Elections
Elections should accurately represent the wishes of the citizenry.
We support abolishing the electoral college (and voted it a priority issue at our national convention in June 2018).
We are against gerrymandering and promote redistricting in areas where districts are not representative of the population.
Environment
As citizens of the world we must protect our planet from the physical, economic and public health effects of climate change while also providing pathways to economic prosperity.
We are part of two Inter-League Organizations that have a specific issue focus on water and the environment: LWV Lake Michigan Region and LWV Upper Mississippi River Region.
We support the exclusive use of Chicago's lakefront and parks for public recreation, with pedestrian access, minimal building and adequate funding for maintenance and development.
Gun Control
Common-sense gun control policies should be implemented to reduce the danger that guns pose to society.
We support restrictions on semi-automatic/assault weapons.
We support gun registration, licensing, permits, and education.
We support restrictions on the further manufacture, sale, transportation and importation for private ownership of handguns.
Health Care
Every U.S. resident should have access to affordable, quality health care, including birth control and the privacy to make reproductive choices.
Immigration
Immigration policies should promote reunification of immediate families; meet economic, business and employment needs; and be responsive to those facing political persecution or humanitarian crises. The U.S. should also provide integration resources.
International Relations
Promote peace in an interdependent world by working cooperatively with other nations and strengthening international organizations.
Social Welfare
The government should work to ensure that its citizens do not live in poverty.
Since 1997, we have supported the campaign for a living wage that may be adjusted for the cost of living. In Chicago, legislation was recently passed to increase the minimum wage each year until it reaches $15 an hour in 2025.
We support policies that prevent housing discrimination and support low-income housing.
Women's Rights
Equal rights should be granted to all people regardless of sex.
We support the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.
We support action to bring laws into compliance with the ERA by eliminating or amending those laws that have the effect of discriminating on the basis of sex; promoting laws that support the goals of the ERA; and strengthening the enforcement of such existing laws.
Voting Rights
Voting policies should make voting open to as many citizens as possible and should make registering to vote as easy as possible.
We support automatic voter registration (now implemented in Illinois).
The League is working with Chicago Votes and Cook County Jail to make sure that inmates are aware of their voting rights and can exercise their right to vote.