LWV-Wilmette Local Program 2019-2020

The LWV-Wilmette local Program planning meeting was held on March 6, 2019. The purpose of this Program planning meeting was to brainstorm and prioritize proposed local action-foci for 2019-2020. The Action Foci consists of issues that the membership of the LWV-Wilmette chooses for concerted action and advocacy.

For background purposes, membership should be aware that there was also a Program planning meeting held in February at which members determined areas to recommend to LWVIL for its Program. These recommendations focused on areas that membership felt were appropriately addressed at the state level. The top 5 proposed recommendations for the LWV-IL were considered in the development of local recommendations for LWV-W and they are: 

1. Address State’s Fiscal Situation
2. Environment
3. Gun Violence Prevention
4. Abolish Electoral College
5. Redistricting

At the March meeting, the team prioritized the local issues suggested based on local impact, local league interest shared widely versus one strong opinion, state and/or national league support, and appropriate level of resources to support the action-foci including staffing and leadership.

The top local action foci selected by the Program planning group are:

1. Citizen Engagement and Education
2. Good Governance
3. Affordable Housing
4. Environment
5. Gun Violence Prevention

These action foci are listed below, along with some proposed actions to provide clarity in scope and intent. However, these actions are not intended to be restricting or comprehensive, and may change over the course of the year.

1) Citizen Engagement and Education Action Focus
    Chairs: Kate Gjaja and Anne Sullivan
    Board Liaison: Kate Gjaja and Anne Sullivan

• Disseminate accurate and timely information on community issues to our membership and the public
• Engage local entities to increase involvement in citizen engagement initiatives including but not limited to churches, newspapers,              governmental boards, Chamber of Commerce
• Encourage active boards and fully-staffed commissions with directives
• Educate the community about where taxes go and how tax dollars are spent
• Improve public awareness of and turnout at board meetings (goal: the right people show up at the right time), committee of the whole,        plan commissions etc.
• Encourage citizens to become candidates for elective office
• Developing Q&A living room conversations with local leaders and membership

2) Good Governance
     Action Focus Chair: Lali Watt
     Board Liaison : Lali Watt

• Encourage transparency by governing bodies
• Continue to strengthen the Observer Corps
• Promote civil discourse
• Promote intergovernmental cooperation
• Raise questions /issues for public awareness 3) Affordable Housing (AH) Action Focus Chair: Caroline Goldstein Board Liaison: Cindy      Levine
• Monitor Wilmette’s 2020 comprehensive plan process
• Understand potential alliances with, among other, Joining Forces for Affordable Housing and student groups
• Encourage local government to develop a robust affordable housing plan 
• Continue implementation of existing LWVW plan including monitoring of HODC’s development while promoting community support and      awareness
• Encourage the utilization of a fully staffed Housing Commission 

3) Affordable Housing (AH)
Action Focus Chair: Caroline Goldstein
Board Liaison: Cindy Levine

• Monitor Wilmette’s 2020 comprehensive plan process
• Understand potential alliances with, among other, Joining Forces for Affordable Housing and student groups
• Encourage local government to develop a robust affordable housing plan
• Continue implementation of existing LWVW plan including monitoring of HODC’s development while promoting community support and      awareness
• Encourage the utilization of a fully staffed Housing Commission 

4) Environment Action
    Focus Chair: Karen Glennemeier
    Board Liaison: Karen Glennemeier

• Support the Energy and Environment Commission’s efforts to develop a robust sustainability plan for Wilmette.
• Educate membership on national efforts to support climate action with regard to carbon neutrality and climate change
• Engage Emerging Leaders as the next generation that is most invested in a sustainable climate and liveable planet. 5) Gun Violence        Prevention (GVP) Action Focus Chair: Susan Fortier and Ann Roberts Board Liaison: Susan Fortier and Ann Roberts
• Stay vigilant to keep passed legislation from being reversed
• Educate membership on GVP issues and provide advocacy opportunities
• Investigate state and local legislative opportunities for GVP
• Provide action opportunities for members

5) Gun Violence Prevention (GVP)
    Action Focus Chair: Susan Fortier and Ann Roberts
    Board Liaison: Susan Fortier and Ann Roberts

• Stay vigilant to keep passed legislation from being reversed
• Educate membership on GVP issues and provide advocacy opportunities
• Investigate state and local legislative opportunities for GVP
• Provide action opportunities for members