Aug
20

Universal Voting Briefing

What if every eligible Illinoisan voted?

Join us for an engaging Universal Voting webinar that explores this bold idea—where casting a ballot is not just a right, but a civic duty.

Together, we’ll:
✅ Examine how universal voting works in other countries
✅ Discuss how it could be implemented here in Illinois
✅ Consider how it could strengthen democracy and increase participation across our state

Universal voting has the power to:

  • Dramatically increase political participation and create an electorate that reflects our diverse state

  • Expand the power of communities who vote at lower levels, including young people, communities of color, and low-income voters

  • Reduce polarization and incentivize campaigns to reach every voter

  • Combat voter suppression and apathy by making voting a civic responsibility

This is a conversation Illinois needs to have—join us and be part of it.

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Aug
20

Understanding the Three Branches of Government

There is a direct and swift assault on the federal government being enacted by the current administration. The power of the pen via executive orders has been brutalized and it has left voters from Arizona to Pennsylvania in a frenzy. What is the scope of each branch of government and why does understanding these roles matter in the long run?

Join LWVUS staff attorney Thomas Tai, Chelsey R. Cartwright, Democracy Truth Project Manager, and Kaitlyn Dowling, Senior Analyst at the Algorithmic Transparency Institute and Rebecca Goldman, Justice Reform Legislative & Policy Manager for a conversation that takes a deep dive into why it’s important that voters understand the purview of the executive branch, judicial branch, and legislative branch of government.

The conversation will hinge on why the distinction between branches of government matters, the history behind the separation of powers, and how expanding your knowledge base of this information can inform and influence your work in your state or local League.

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Sep
17

Working with Local Election Officials to Anchor Change

Local election officials are the lifeblood of our democracy. They power our elections and provide access to the polls for voters across the country. Since the last few election cycles, election officials have faced challenges from harassment at the polls to intimidation at the way they do their jobs. Many election officials have resigned and this brings about another challenge, a deficit in the way in which our elections function.

This webinar will share best practices on building relationships with local election officials. From experiences via voter services committees, to highlighting events that feature local election officials, this webinar will identify ways in which League leaders can get more engaged with local elections and the folks who administer them.

Chelsey Cartwright, Democracy Truth Project Manager will host a conversation with Andrea Miller of the Center for Common Ground, Monica Wills-Brown, Voter Services Vice President of the League of Women Voters Marrietta-Cobb County, and Charis Johnson, President of the League of Women Voters Atlanta-Fulton County along with local election officials in Cobb and Fulton County, Georgia that speaks to why local election officials should be protected and upheld by the will of the voters and the momentum of the movement.

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North Side Unit
Jul
22
Unit Meetings

North Side Unit

Max Bever of the Chicago Board of Elections will join us for a discussion on voter registration and election protocols.

This meeting will be held at Lincoln Park Library. There is a small parking lot adjacent to the library plus street parking on Fullerton. It's just a few blocks west of the Fullerton El stop [Brown and Red Lines].

Contact league@lwvchicago.org with any questions.

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Jul
17

Good Trouble: John Lewis Day of Action

On July 17, we honor the anniversary of the passing of civil rights hero John Lewis, not with ceremonies, but with action. Across the country, we will take to the streets, courthouses, and community spaces to carry forward his fight for justice, voting rights, and dignity for all.

Join LWV Chicago and other sponsoring organizations at Daley Plaza to recognize this day of action! RSVP.

The League of Women Voters will meet up beforehand at 5:00pm outside 69 W Washington St—see you there!

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Jul
16

SCOTUS Recap

Steven Schwinn, Professor of Law at the University of Illinois Chicago, will join LWVIL to speak on major decisions made by the Supreme Court this session and how they will affect everything from separation of powers and executive authority to individual freedoms and state's rights. Register.

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Annual Meeting
Jun
28

Annual Meeting

  • 17 N State Street, Suite 1740 Chicago, IL 60602 (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

All members of the League of Women Voters of Chicago are invited to join us for our Annual Meeting. Let's look back on the last year and plan for the next!

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Summer Happy Hour
Jun
27

Summer Happy Hour

Celebrate the start of summer with the League! Join LWV Chicago President Jane Ruby for happy hour at Navigator Taproom—meet other members and learn about ways to get involved.

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Jun
21

LWVIL Convention 2025

Leagues across the state gather in June for LWVIL’s 62nd Biennium Convention—where we will determine the focus of our power, making decisions that affect our mission work at the grassroots level and maximize our impact throughout the state.

Convention begins Friday, June 20 with the virtual opening ceremony from 7:00–9:00 pm. This online program will include the Convention welcome, introductions, Board reports, recognitions, and an introduction to the Strategic Plan and new local League grant policy. Watch parties will be encouraged.

Convention business will be held in person on Saturday, June 21 at the Northern Illinois University Naperville Conference Center (1120 E Diehl Road) from 9:00 am–5:00 pm.

If you’re interested in attending as a delegate on behalf of LWV Chicago, please let us know at league@lwvchicago.org.

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Jun
14

No Kings Rally & March

No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance. We’re taking action to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like.

LWV Chicago is an official supporter the Chicago rally & march—join us! We’ll meet up at 11:30 am in front of the Board of Elections at 69 W Washington. Wear blue and bring your signs (make sure they are nonpartisan—about issues rather than specific people or parties).

We’ll also be offering voter registration forms on clipboards throughout the crowd from 11:00-12:00 pm. If you want to take part in this voter registration drive, email Catherine Mardikes at mardikes@uchicago.edu.

LWV Chicago’s South Side Unit will be holding a sign-making party from 5:00-7:00 pm on Wednesday, June 11 (5025 S. Woodlawn, Cardoza/Mardikes on buzzer), and all members are welcome to join.

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Beaubien Woods Walk
Jun
5

Beaubien Woods Walk

When was the last time you walked through one of the over 70,000 acres of the Forest Preserves of Cook County? Now is the time!

On Thursday, June 5 from 11:00 am–1:00 pm you are invited to join us for a guided tour of the beautiful Forest Preserve of Cook County walk through the Beaubien Woods on Chicago's south side.

The Beaubien Woods is on the historic Underground Railroad path to freedom which we will talk about, along with ongoing efforts around community engagement. We will also explore existing nature and talk about ongoing restoration work here with one of the ecologists. 

After the guided walk, we will meet at the picnic tables for a brown bag lunch and Q&A about the Forest Preserves. Space is limited and the walk is free. Please bring a friend and reserve your spot today.

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May
21

"Incident" Film Screening + Q&A

Join this free community screening of the Oscar-nominated short documentary "Incident," followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. The film covers the police killing of 37-year-old barber Harith Augustus at the hands of Chicago police in the South Shore neighborhood in July 2018.

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May
20

Ranked Choice Voting Social

Come enjoy the company of League members and fellow Chicagoans! We'll hear Fair Vote Illinois’ progress in getting Ranked Choice Voting for Chicago’s municipal elections, learn how we can help make it happen, socialize, pay happy hour prices, and see fabulous Lake Michigan. 

No RSVP necessary. For more information, contact Abigail Nichols at league@lwvchicago.org.

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May
15

LILLY Film Screening + Q&A

Join us at the Siskel Film Center for a screening of the new award-winning film LILLY, followed by a Q&A with the film’s director, Rachel Feldman, moderated by LWV Chicago President Jane Ruby.

Based on the true story of Lilly Ledbetter, LILLY stars Academy Award nominee Patricia Clarkson as the Alabama tire factory supervisor who, after working 20 years in an environment plagued by harassment for the sake of the best paycheck in the county, discovers she’s been paid half of what the men with the same job have been earning. Outraged, Lilly takes her fight for equal pay all to the Supreme Court, Congress, and eventually The White House. A testament to resilience, with Clarkson’s powerful performance at its core, LILLY illuminates the impact a single person can have on a nation.

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