Join us to discuss the effects of AI on elections with Kevin B. Boyd, Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the University of Chicago, and Matt Morton, Executive Director and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at the University of Chicago.

This event is free to attend and open to the public. We will gather at the University of Chicago Regenstein Library. The event will also be presented virtually.

You must register to attend. A link to participate in the program virtually will be sent to registrants 24 hours in advance.

About the Speakers

Kevin B. Boyd is the associate vice president and chief information officer at the University of Chicago. In this role, he oversees Information Technology Services (ITS), the University’s largest single IT operation. ITS is responsible for the planning and operations of many of UChicago’s most widely utilized IT systems and services, such as the core wired and wireless networks; the learning management system; the security and protection of the University’s computers and networks; central student and business information and data systems; primary data centers for physical and virtual server hosting, and high-performance research computing; and instructional technologies in a growing portfolio of classrooms and learning spaces.

Matt Morton is the executive director and chief information security officer at the University of Chicago. Matt leads the Information Security team in developing and implementing information security and data governance strategies, policies, and practices for the University. He also collaborates with the information technology leadership throughout the University, including the University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences Division, to build consensus among campus leaders on a risk-based approach to information security outcomes.

Past Chicago in Focus Programs

Chicago’s Migrant Crisis

Featured speakers Johannes Favi, Deputy Director of the Illinois Community for Displaced Immigrants, and Alisa Bhachu, CEO of the Chicago Refugee Coalition, discuss the current situation of new asylum seekers arriving in Chicago and how local organizations are helping.

The Electoral College

The League of Women Voters has long advocated for abolishing the Electoral College in favor of a national, direct vote for president. This lecture from League expert Joyce Williams explores how the Electoral College impacts our presidential elections and discusses the arguments given for and against keeping the Electoral College.

Gun Violence Prevention

Following an increase in gun violence in Lake County, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office was awarded $1.5 million in funding for the Lake County Gun Violence Prevention Initiative (GVPI), which takes a public health approach to violence prevention. Joining us to discuss the initiative are Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart and GVPI Chair Sara Knizhnik.

Join us to discuss the current situation of new asylum seekers arriving in Chicago and how local organizations are helping.

Our featured speakers are Johannes Favi, Deputy Director of the Illinois Community for Displaced Immigrants (ICDI) and Alisa Bhachu, CEO of the Chicago Refugee Coalition (CRC).

We will gather at the Union League Club (65 W Jackson Blvd). Join us early, starting at 5:30 pm, for social time. A cash bar will be available. The event will also be presented virtually.

You must register to attend. A link to participate in the program will be sent to registrants 24 hours in advance.

This event is part of our Chicago in Focus lecture series, which seeks to highlight and explore the most important issues facing Chicagoans today. We host this series in partnership with the Union League Club of Chicago.

A college grad moving to Chicago to start a new job and life. Low- and moderate-income families looking for a place to grow. City employees who are required to live within the city limits. Seniors seeking comfort and security as they ease into retirement. What do all these people have in common? They all are in need of housing that doesn’t put them at financial risk. Even with exciting new developments and towering new high rises, is Chicago pricing its citizens out?

On Tuesday, April 18, LWV Chicago will present Priced Out of Your Life? Affordable Housing in Chicago, a look at the how affordable housing affects diversity, finances and future health of the city. Join us as our guest speakers discuss the housing situation in Chicago, how it impacts the citizens and city, and what steps should be taken to address the issue.

Presenting are Enrique Castillo, Senior Planner at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) in the Local Planning department; Bill Eager, Senior Vice President for Chicago and the Midwest at the Preservation of Affordable Housing development company; and Kyle Smith, Director of Housing and Community Development, Metropolitan Mayor's Caucus.

The event will be presented virtually.

You must register to attend. A link to participate in the program will be sent to registrants 24 hours in advance.

This event is part of our Chicago in Focus lecture series, which seeks to highlight and explore the most important issues facing Chicagoans today. We host this series in partnership with the Union League Club of Chicago.

The League of Women Voters has long advocated for abolishing the Electoral College in favor of a national, direct vote for president.

This lecture from League expert Joyce Williams will explore how the Electoral College impacts our presidential elections and discuss the arguments given for and against keeping the Electoral College.

We will gather at the Union League Club (65 W Jackson Blvd). Join us early, starting at 5:30 pm, for social time. A cash bar will be available. The event will also be presented virtually.

You must register to attend. A link to participate in the program will be sent to registrants 24 hours in advance.

This event is part of our Chicago in Focus lecture series, which seeks to highlight and explore the most important issues facing Chicagoans today. We host this series in partnership with the Union League Club of Chicago.

Join us to discuss Lake County's Gun Violence Prevention Initiative (GVPI) with Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart and GVPI Chair Sara Knizhnik.

Following an increase in gun violence in Lake County, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office was awarded $1.5 million in funding for the Lake County GVPI, which takes a public health approach to violence prevention.

Utilizing an adaptation of the Cure Violence Model (CVM), which maintains that violence is a learned behavior that can be prevented using disease control methods, the program works primarily with high-risk youth aged 14 to 25. It includes regular individual interactions, conflict mediation, and community mobilization.

We will gather at the Union League Club (65 W Jackson Blvd). Join us early, starting at 5:30 pm, for social time. A cash bar will be available. The event will also be presented virtually.

You must register to attend. A link to participate in the program will be sent to registrants 24 hours in advance.

This event is part of our Chicago in Focus lecture series, which seeks to highlight and explore the most important issues facing Chicagoans today. We host this series in partnership with the Union League Club of Chicago.

Join us for a talk by Joe Ferguson, Chicago’s former Inspector General and the Founding Executive Director of (re)Chicago, a strategic initiative to assess and address flaws in Chicago’s governance structure.

Ferguson, who also serves as a lecturer at Loyola Law School and the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy, will discuss (re)Chicago’s goals of lasting structural reform of City government grounded in participatory democracy.

We will gather at the Union League Club (65 W Jackson Blvd). Join us early, starting at 5:30 pm, for social time. A cash bar will be available. The event will also be presented virtually.

This event is part of our Chicago in Focus lecture series, which seeks to highlight and explore the most important issues facing Chicagoans today. We host this series in partnership with the Union League Club of Chicago.

Join LWV Chicago in partnership with the Union League Club of Chicago for our first in-person Chicago in Focus program in over two years!

We will gather at the Union League Club (65 W Jackson Blvd) to discuss the Cook County Forest Preserves and the upcoming referendum regarding Preserve funding. The event will also be presented virtually.

Since its founding more than 100 years ago, the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s mission has been to protect and preserve public open space in its natural state for the education, pleasure and recreation of the public. The Forest Preserves are a place to go to experience nature close to home. They are a place where native plants and animals thrive. They offer opportunities for adventure and fun. And they make our communities healthier. They are to the Chicago region what the National Parks are to our country.

For the first time since the 1930’s, Cook County residents will be asked in the November 8 Election to vote on a referendum to bring more resources to the Forest Preserves. If approved, new funding would be used to expand and improve the benefits the Forest Preserves provides us all and set the Preserves on a sustainable fiscal path.

Our speakers for the evening are Benjamin Cox, Executive Director of the Friends of the Cook County Forest Preserves, and Iza Redlinski, Deputy Director of Resource Management for the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Our moderator for the evening is Matt Evans, Managing Ecologist, Woodlands at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

You must register to attend. A link to participate in the program virtually will be sent to registrants 24 hours in advance.

This event is part of our Chicago in Focus lecture series, which seeks to highlight and explore the most important issues facing Chicagoans today. We host this series in partnership with the Union League Club of Chicago.

Join LWV Chicago in partnership with the Union League Club of Chicago for a presentation by Adam Gross, Executive Director of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, and Kim Smith, Director of Programs and Education of the University of Chicago Crime Lab.

We will discuss the structure of the Community Commission, particularly the role of the inaugural District Councils to be elected during the February municipal elections, and the impact on violence reduction of various approaches to police reform throughout the country.

Mr. Gross will also answer questions about qualifications and procedures to run for District Councils.

You must register to attend. A link to participate in the program will be sent to registrants 24 hours in advance.

This event is part of our Chicago in Focus lecture series, which seeks to highlight and explore the most important issues facing Chicagoans today. We host this series in partnership with the Union League Club of Chicago.