League Resources

State Board Members

The LWVIL Board is here to help you. Should you need further information or have questions, don’t hesitate to contact them directly.

LWVIL Board Meeting Schedule FY25

LWVIL Board Meeting Observation Policy

LWVIL Bylaws and Guiding Documents

• LWVIL Bylaws

• LWVIL Education Fund Bylaws

• ​​LWVIL Biennium Report: 2021–2023

• LWVIL Biennium Report: 2019–2021

• LWVUS Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

LWVIL Board Policies

• LWVIL Board Purpose and Responsibilities

• LWVIL Board Conflict of Interest Policy

• LWVIL Committee Members Conflict of Interest Policy

• LWVIL Board Meeting Observation Policy

• LWVIL Board Political (Nonpartisan) Activity Policy

• LWVIL Coalition Membership Policy

• LWVIL Committee Member Purpose and Responsibilities

• LWVIL Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy

• LWVIL Expense Reimbursement Policy

• LWVIL Interstate ILO Representative Policy

• LWVIL Policy for Co-Sponsorship of Activities

• Annual Meeting Planning

• Annual Meeting Sample Script

• Business Cards Template (LWVUS)

• Model Bylaws: Template for Local Leagues

• Bylaws for Local Leagues video

• Conflict of Interest Policy Template

• Discussion Guide for Setting Local League Nonpartisan Policy

• Guidance for Maintaining Nonpartisanship

• Glossary of League Lingo

• League Basics (LWVUS)

• Local League Requirements

• Organization of the Board

• Parliamentary Procedure at a Glance

• Program Considerations with State-Wide Elected Officials or Candidates

LWV Transformation Journey

• About the Transformation Journey

• ChapterSpot Resources page (new League membership platform)

• Monthly Framing the Future Office Hours

• If you have any questions, please reach out to transformation@lwv.org.

501(c)(3) Transition

• How Do Local Leagues Make the Transition?

• Guidelines and Timeline for Local Leagues

• Budget for Local Leagues

League in the Time of COVID-19

• COVID-19: Guidance for Remote/Virtual Annual Meetings (LWVIL)

• How to use Zoom (Step by Step Instructions)

• Virtually Conducting League Work (LWVUS)

• Annual Fiduciary Responsibilities for Local Leagues

• Expense Voucher/Request for Payment Form

• Form AG990-IL Information

• IRS Form 990-N Information

• Per Member Payments: Overview, Calculations, & Billing

• Request for Certificate of Liability Insurance Form (automatic download)

LWVIL Education Fund

The Education Fund enables local Leagues to solicit tax-deductible donations. There are, however, many rules and conditions that go along with the process. Learn more by reading the documents below.

• LWVIL Education Fund Policy and Guidelines

• Local League Application for use of LWVIL Education Fund for Project or Event (automatic download)

• Local League Application for Use of Education Fund for Payment of LWVIL and/or LWVUS PMP (automatic download)

• Local League Use of Education Fund: Income Deposit and Expense Reimbursement Form (automatic download)

• LWVUS Roster Manager Portal Support Must have Roster Manager login credentials; for more information, contact support@lwvil.org

• Managing Leadership in US Roster

• Local League Map

• Member Rights & Responsibilites

Honor Long-time Members

Leagues are encouraged to honor members who have been with the organization for 50 years or more. Upon request, both the LWVIL and the LWVUS will issue certificates for 50 year members. Certificates can be sent directly to the member or to the League's leadership for a formal presentation.

Please email requests for 50-year certificates from LWVUS to membership@lwv.org; from LWVIL to support@lwvil.org.

• A Guide to Issues & Advocacy for Local Leagues

• Time for Action Request Form

• Issues & Advocacy Reports 2021–2023

• How to get involved in advocacy and lobbying: LWVIL resources for local Leagues

• League Policy Overview - Speak with One Voice

• LWVIL Request for Action Policy

• LWVUS Request for Action Policy

• Defend Democracy Drop-In Resources

• Guide to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act

• League Action on Referenda

• Tips for Lobby Day Visits (video)

• ​Virtual Transparency of Government Bodies (LWVUS)

Legislative Interviews

• Legislative Interviews Process 2024

• Legislative Interviews 2024: Interview Questions (For Legislators)

• Legislative Interviews 2024: Interview Questions (With Background)

• Legislative Interviews: Feedback Form

• Legislative Interviews: Feedback Form (printable, for note taking)

Program Planning

2025–27 Program Planning Materials Coming Soon

Background about Positions

• LWVIL: Where We Stand 2023-2025

• LWVIL: Where We Stand 2023-2025 (Abridged Version)

• LWVUS: Impact on Issues 2022-2024

• League of Women Voters Education Fund Clearinghouse

Overview of Program Planning/Studies

• Dimensions of a Local League Study

• The League Consensus Meeting: Reaching Member Agreement

• Program Planning: From Choice Through Action

• LWVIL Pollwatcher Policy

• Observer Program

• Guidance on Attending Candidate Events

• Election Calendar

• Vote by Mail information

  • How to Protect Your Vote with USPS: Webinar Slides

  • How to Protect Your Vote with USPS: Q&A Transcript

CANDIDATE FORUMS

• Candidate Meet & Greet Guidance

• Candidate Forum Ground Rules/Broadcast Agreement (template)

• Candidate Invitation to Participate in a Virtual Forum (template)

• Candidate Participation Policy, LWVIL

• Checklist for Candidate Forums

• Branded Slide Deck for Candidate Forums (Instructions and Templates)

• General Considerations When Planning Candidate Forums/Debates 

• Hints for the Successful Moderator

• Legal Considerations for Candidate Forums/Debates 

• Step grids to aid moderators in tracking speakers

Get out the vote

• GOTV Postcard Order Form

• GOTV Idea Guide

• Stroll to the Polls Instruction Guide

Voter Registration

• Deputy Registrar Policy

• Seven Steps to a Successful Registration Drive

• Virtual Youth Voter Registration Presentation

• Virtual Youth Voter Registration Script

Use of Local League Voter Registrars by Political Campaigns

• The League of Women Voters cannot organizationally supply registrars to any political campaign. Members who are registrars are free to register voters anywhere and anytime they wish as long as they scrupulously follow the law about voter registration being NONPARTISAN. League registrars also MUST submit their registrations directly to the election authority where they are deputized, listing on the audit sheet their individual registrar ID and local League affiliation.​

• The Voter Service Chair and President of the local League should not participate in voter registration events sponsored by a political campaign.

High School Voter Registration

• Illinois Law SB825: High School Voter Registration

• Illinois Law SB2123: Voter Pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds

• Sample SB825 Letter to School

• SB825 High School Voter Registration Sheet

Poll Watching

• A Guide to Poll Watchers in Illinois (video 5:30) - from the Illinois State Board of Elections

• State of Illinois Poll Watchers Guide - from the Illinois State Board of Elections

• State of Illinois Poll Watchers flyer - from the Illinois State Board of Elections

Observe something that should not be happening at the polling place? Call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

• Brand Standards & Logo Files

• How to share items from the News from LWVIL page video (automatic download)

• Local League Media Training for 2022 Elections video (LWVUS)

• Nonpartisanship on Social Media (LWVUS)

• Canva Templates for Local Leagues

• Photo Submission Form

• Photo & Video Release Waiver (automatic download)

• Social Media Guide (LWVUS)

• Tips for Media Interviews (LWVUS League Management)

• Tips for Op-Eds and Letters to the Editor (LWVUS League Management)