The LWV-W Local Program/Action Foci consists of issues that the LWV-W chooses for concerted study and action, or if an LWV position (at the national, state, or local level) already exists, then action.  The following issues were derived from discussion at membership Program Planning meetings held in March and April and are presented to the Board for approval.  As the Board understands that there may be membership interest in working on each of the following issues in the coming year, the Board will consider the following and vote whether or not to present the options below for the 2018-19 year.
 
At the Annual Meeting, members present will consider each item (including (A)s, (B)s and (C)s separately) and determine if there is both sufficient interest and designated leadership from membership to adopt each item as part of our program for the year.
 
1. Voter Empowerment
(A) Advance Voter Registration Efforts

• Support local high schools and youth organizations in widening focus on voter education and registration (e.g. develop program to encourage embedding voter registration into curriculum, and more).
• Expand registration outreach to:
  • areas not served by LWV or other groups
  • collaborate with LWVs requiring increased person power for registration

(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
(A) 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
• Working with LWVIL and ERA Coalition and other current partner organizations to achieve short term goals related to passage

(B) Upon ratification of the ERA in Illinois, engage in outreach support to LWVs in next focus state
 
3.  Gun Violence Prevention
(A)Local Action

• Continue the effort to provide Wilmette businesses with “no guns allowed on premises” stickers** to make Wilmette an “unfriendly” concealed carry location.  Partner with Leagues in surrounding areas to spread this initiative beyond Wilmette.
• Understand and proactively advocate for opportunities to enact gun violence prevention ordinances in Wilmette
• Provide educational opportunities to inform community and activate additional advocates

(B) State and National Action

• Continue involvement with efforts at the LWV-US and participation in LWV-US information conference calls about national level efforts
• Continue to track proposed state legislation and advocate for legislation in concert with the League position
• Develop partnerships with other organizations working actively on these issues, e.g., Moms Demand Action

 
4.  Good Governance
(A) Seek and develop an opportunity for a LWV-W recurring column in a local newspaper with goals of community education regarding:

• issues that are focus of LWV advocacy
• LWV positions and efforts on issues
• civil discourse

1. Continue to promote and advance citizen civility and civil discourse in the community particularly in participation in meetings of local governing bodies; develop partnerships with other organizations to do same;
2. Continue to work toward electoral college reform by constitutional amendment through:

• education of the community
• outreach to all LWVUS local leagues

1. Examine local election procedure and practice including:
   • campaign finance disclosure requirements
   • candidate conflict of interest disclosures

(this action focus would likely require a local study before action could be taken)
 
5.  Affordable Housing
(A) Advance work of the LWV-W Affordable Housing Think Tank

• collaborating with like-minded community groups to advance Affordable Housing Policy for the Village of Wilmette including an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance
• Collaborating with other LWVs to advance Affordable Housing Policy regionally

1. Monitor Village for other possible proposed affordable housing developments

 
6.  Environmental Stewardship

1. Monitor the Village of Wilmette’s Administration Committee and Environmental and Energy Commission consideration of the Climate Mayors and the Chicago Climate Charter for process, and outcome of the EEC recommendation to the Village Board regarding participation in both.
2. Monitor relevant local, county and state issues where we have strong member interest and an opportunity for the LWVW to make an impact, including collaboration with like-minded and partner organizations, on issues related to the environment