​LWV - Wilmette Action Foci 2017-18

1. Voter Empowerment:
(A) Advance Voter Registration

• Registration efforts in our, and nearby, areas targeting specific groups
  • (e.g. high school students, underserved populations)

(B) Promote voting rights in Wilmette and beyond

• Efforts to reduce or eliminate voter suppression (here, in IL, and possibly WI)
• Coordinate efforts with other LWVs and voter participation coalitions

2. Advance Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the US Constitution:
Advocating for the passage of the ERA by the State of Illinois Legislature through:

• Education of our community and others, about the status of ERA in the US and Illinois and the goal for passage of ERA in Illinois utilizing:
  • social media
  • press
  • community gatherings (such as Farmer’s Market)
  • LWV-W scheduled programming regarding ERA
• Working with our current partner organizations where feasible
• Activating like-minded organizations to do same
• Forming coalition of LWVs/likeminded organizations to pursue passage

 
3.  Gun Violence Prevention:

• Continue the effort to provide Wilmette businesses with “no guns allowed on premises” stickers to make Wilmette an “unfriendly” concealed carry location
• Become involved with efforts at the LWV-US and participate in periodic conference calls about efforts at the national level
• Continue to track proposed legislation at the state level and advocate for legislation that supports the League’s position
• Look for opportunities to partner with other organizations working actively on this issue, e.g., Moms Demand Action

 
4.  Good Governance:
(A) Implement an “Eyewitness/Observer Corps” to attend appropriate meetings of local public bodies for the purposes of monitoring, recording and communicating activities, processes, procedures and transparency of these bodies
 (B) Identify advocacy opportunities:

• For specific areas such as:
  • Active Transportation
  • Storm Water Management
  • Gillson Park Beach House & parking lot
• For the general areas of:
  • Sustainable Development (economic development that is conducted without depletion of natural resources)
  • General Fiscal Responsibility

(C) Monitor the State of Illinois budget impasse, provide appropriate feedback to our elected officials and advocate for solutions in support of the LWVIL position on state fiscal policy
 
5.  Affordable Housing:
(A) Monitor and support VFW Planned Unit Development project through:

• Attendance at Village PUD meetings
• Education efforts throughout community as necessary

(B) Monitor Village for other possible proposed affordable housing developments