Wetlands are one of Illinois' greatest natural assets—we must take action to protect them! Join this League of Women Voters of Illinois webinar to learn more about how you can support the Wetlands and Small Streams Protection Act (SB3669/HB5386). We will hear from Paul Botts, President and Executive Director of The Wetlands Initiative. The lecture will be followed by a Q&A.

The Wetlands and Small Streams Protection Act restores protections for wetlands and small streams that were formerly protected from pollution and destruction by the Clean Water Act. Wetlands keep our water clean, filtering pollution from farm fields that would otherwise contaminate streams and drinking water sources, harming our health. They soak up excess rainwater and protect communities from flooding. As natural carbon sinks, wetlands can help us fight climate change. Wetlands are critical habitat for migratory birds and wildlife.

Tell your Illinois state legislators to support SB3669/HB5386, and join us on April 15!

At the University of Chicago, scientists produced the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction (nuclear fission) on December 2, 1942. This first nuclear reactor was moved and rebuilt on Cook County Forest Preserve property in Red Gate Woods. As part of the Manhattan Project, a research facility and an additional reactor was built here.

Join the League of Women Voters of Cook County for a two-part program! Dave Dolak, Professor at Columbia College Chicago, will present a lecture on the atomic legacy of Red Gate Woods from 10 am to noon in Sagawau Environmental Nature Center Classroom. 

Following the lecture, participants can join in an optional hike at Red Gate Woods. The hike is about 3 miles to Site A, where the nuclear reactors were buried. Trail is grass, dirt, some tree roots, and asphalt. The trail is not for everyone, as it is moderate with some elevation gain— walking sticks/hiking poles would be useful. 

Program limited to 30 participants. No food or drink permitted in building.

To register to attend, email info@lwvcookcounty.org. Include your name, email, phone number, and, if you are a League member, you local League.

Of the streams that Illinois EPA has assessed for water quality conditions from 2020–2022:

• 40% are too polluted to support aquatic life

• 62% are too polluted to support indigenous aquatic life

• 85% are too polluted to support swimming or direct human contact

• 100%. Yes, 100% are too polluted to support fish consumption

This is a startling headline, and a grim situation. Join The League of Women Voters of the Upper Mississippi River Region for a talk by Robert Hirschfeld, Director of Water Policy for the Prairie Rivers Network. Robert will describe the work that the PRN has begun with their Clean Water Forever campaign.

This campaign aims to change the way Illinois thinks about and cares for its water. Starting in southern Illinois and working their way north, PRN will support downstream communities by listening to their concerns and helping to identify and implement locally-informed solutions and financial resources. Through these efforts, PRN will support communities as they build climate resiliency and advance their vision for the future. Clean Water Forever starts with telling the truth about the water quality crisis in the Midwest and ends with finding long-term solutions to protect Illinois communities.

Click here to register for this webinar! All who register will be sent a link to the recorded video after the meeting.

Our democracy is what allows us to have our way of life with the freedoms we enjoy. But democracy is fragile—citizens must be engaged and step up to defend it.

On March 27, 2024, LWV Chicago, along with Leagues around the country, will host An IRRESISTIBLE Evening for Democracy. Join us at Alamo Drafthouse Wrigleyville for a night of film, food, and fun, featuring a screening of Irresistible, a 2020 political comedy that "takes on the big-money corruptions of American politics" (Variety).

Enjoy the full “Alamo Experience” as we showcase the work of the League of Women Voters!

Although the required 38 states have ratified the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) since it was proposed to Congress in 1923, the status of the proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution is unclear. The question we now have to ask is: Where do we go from here?

Please join LWV Chicago, the Union League Club of Chicago, and the Lincoln Forum for a thought-provoking luncheon and conversation featuring Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-9th), and Steve Andersson. Linda Coberly, appellate lawyer at Winston & Strawn, will moderate the discussion.