In the popular imagination, Sparta is often portrayed as the antithesis of Athenian democracy: a militarized, rigidly hierarchical state ruling an austere society. But the truth of Spartan government and politics is more complicated—and more instructive.

LWV Chicago joined thousands of protestors on June 14 to rally and march through downtown Chicago in rejection of authoritarianism.

In 508 BCE, visionary statesman Cleisthenes formally declared all freeborn Athenians to be citizens, giving them unprecedented power and a new sense of civic unity. Thus began the world’s first known democracy — an experiment in government by direct popular participation.

The 2025 Illinois state legislative session wrapped on June 1, and it was a bruising one for the climate. Some environmental protection bills are off to the governor to sign, but others were stalled at the last minute.

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a town hall hosted by my own representative in Congress. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of direct dialogue between elected officials and their constituents.

At our Annual Meeting on June 28, LWV Chicago members will vote on whether to proceed with a study to reevaluate our position on mayoral elections.

See the Bylaws Committee’s recommended changes to LWV Chicago’s Bylaws, to be voted on at our Annual Meeting on June 28.

The Board members serving new terms will be elected at the Annual Meeting. Learn about who is in the running!

More than fifty years after Watergate, the League has once again sounded the alarm about rising attacks on democratic norms and the corrosion of checks and balances. As we face a new era of constitutional strain, we should draw strength from our history.

That is how large the solar park is in central Illinois! It offsets power usage in Chicago’s airports and every firehouse, police district, library and city-owned building.

We’re fighting to pass Illinois legislation that would impose a ban on single-use polystyrene foam foodware in Illinois—and it’s up for a vote on the House floor next week.

All over the world, people are realizing that regenerating our soil and food systems (with compost!) is the path forward. Celebrate Compost Awareness Week May 4–10.

We joined an expert panel of doctors, scientists, waste specialists and community advocates to speak at a City Council hearing on the harms of plastic on human health and the environment.

The passage of the SAVE Act in the US House is a direct attack on the fundamental right to vote and a dangerous step backward for our democracy. Tell your Senators to oppose the SAVE Act.

Over a century ago, Markievicz was a revolutionary voice in Ireland’s struggle for independence and a staunch advocate for women’s rights.

LWV Chicago joined thousands of protesters in downtown Chicago to stand up for democracy and voting rights at the Hands Off! rally on April 5.

Celebrate by helping us ban the worst of the worst single-use plastics in Illinois.

LWV Chicago President Jane Ruby reflects on her time as a delegate to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) during this Women’s History Month.

Let’s discuss the state climate and environmental legislation that LWV Chicago will be advocating for in the 2025 legislative session.

Want to see effective plastic reduction policy in Chicago? Voice your support for legislation currently being considered in Springfield that would ban foam foodware and plastic bags.