League Action in March

4/1/25

Representing 3700 members across the state, the League teams up with other organizations so that all of our voices are amplified. Here’s what we spoke out on in January and February:

• LWVIL President Becky Simon submitted a letter to the editor of the Chicago Sun-Times in opposition to the SAVE Act, federal legislation that would result in creating obstacles to voter registration and result in voter suppression.

• LWVIL Vice President Kathy Cortez delivered a speech at the International Women’s Day March in Chicago focused on barriers women face, the need for the ERA, and how the SAVE Act will negatively impact women.

• LWVIL President Becky Simon attended 60th Selma Jubilee in Selma, Alabama along with other Leagues from across the country to stand up for voting rights.

• LWVIL launched Phone Call Fridays, a call to action to contact federal representatives and voice how they feel about the state of our government and our democracy.

• It has been a busy legislative cycle! LWVIL endorsed and/or submitted a witness slip for the following bills:

• HB3363 (The FAIR Act), which would secure the availability of competent public defenders in all counties in Illinois

• HB3509/SB0086, which would allow for parole of elderly inmates under certain conditions

• HB1178/SB1784, which would raise the age for juvenile commitment to 14 years old

• HB2545, which would amend the AHPAA to remove barriers to building affordable, supportive housing

• HB1429, which would create a homeless bill of rights

• HB3247, which would prohibit denying enrollment to undocumented children in public schools

• HB1375, which would fund stipends for student teachers

• SB2902, which would regulate public utilities 

• SB1531 and SB1872, which would reduce or eliminate use of polystyrene containers and plastic bags

• HB3614 and SB1723, which would protect sole source aquifers from carbon capture storage and transportation

• HB3596/SB2401, which aims to protect Illinois wetlands

Representing League members across the country, LWVUS also signs onto letters and legal cases supporting League positions:

• Letter: LWVUS Urges Congress to Oppose Bill to Cut Federal Funding to Jurisdictions Not Participating in Immigrant Deportations

• Letter: LWVUS Urged the Preservation of Public Access to Federal Data

• Letter: LWVUS Urges the Senate to Protect DC in CR Negotiations

• Leagues encouraged everyday citizens to "Turn Up the Heat" by directly contacting elected officials.

• People nationwide spoke out at Light for Our Democracy rallies. Watch the DC rally.

• LWV President Dianna Wynn advised on ways to take grassroots action.