LWVUS POSITION IN BRIEF |
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Plans this year
- Advocate for clean energy and understand the impacts of climate change
- Support the development of a comprehensive sustainability plan for Wilmette
- Promote cleaner, quieter lawn care practices that support clean air, habitat for wildlife, and a high quality of life for our residents.
- Protect and celebrate our Great Lakes
- Research and work towards the best strategy on reducing plastics
News and Latest Developments
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Wilmette's Commitment to Sustainability
Following the Wilmette Village Board's endorsement of the Greenest Region Compact (GRC) in 2018, the Environmental and Energy Commission (EEC) was charged with creating a plan to address sustainability issues of global importance at the local level. On July 8th, the Environmental and Energy Commission (EEC) unanimously voted to recommend the Village Sustainability Plan for adoption by the Village Board. It moves next to the Village Administration Committee before consideration by the full Board. Thanks to everyone who continues to engage with this process and ensure we have a strong plan backed by an informed community! |
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Village Ordinance: No Gas Leaf Blowers!
Did you know that gas-powered leaf blowers are prohibited in Wilmette from May 15 through September 30? Here’s why: they create air pollution and stressful oppressive noise levels. They also destroy habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects who rely on the leaves that lie underneath our shrubs and garden flowers. NEW in 2021: The Village is committed to improving compliance with the leaf blower ordinance by hiring a designated code enforcement officer who will issue citations to offenders. When a company is cited, the homeowner will also be notified, to help increase awareness of this ordinance. If you hire a lawn care company, please remind them of the ordinance if they are not following it. If you'd like to get involved with LWV-Wilmette's efforts toward healthier lawn care, please contact us. |
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Control Mosquitoes Safely & Effectively!
Worried about mosquitoes this summer? Consider the sound advice of Go Green Wilmette to use an Integrated Pest Management method. Before you call a private company, call the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District for FREE assessment and treatment! Their targeted approach is more effective than the "barrier spraying" done by private companies, with much lower collateral damage to the environment. In fact, conservation scientists are so concerned about the collateral damage and pesticide resistance likely to result from commercial barrier spraying, that legislation (HB3118) has been introduced in Springfield to provide oversight of commercial companies and require common-sense measures such as evidence-based spraying and notification of neighbors. Click here to see the text of the bill. |
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Plan to Improve Walking and Biking in Wilmette
On Tuesday, February 23rd, the Wilmette Village Board approved the Master Bike and Active Transportation Plan. The goal of this plan is to develop recommendations to make the village more walkable and bike-friendly. Shaped by community input, further development and implementation of the plan will be incorporated into the 2022 budgetary progress, beginning in early Fall 2021. Visit the project website to view details, including the most recent version of the plan. |
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NT Township Supports Carbon Fee & Dividend
In response to the advisory referendum question on the New Trier Township ballot this past spring, more than two-thirds of New Trier Township voted in favor of a carbon fee and dividend policy. Going forward, the LWV-Wilmette and coalition partners, such as the Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), will bring this support to the attention of our members of Congress and continue to advocate for climate-friendly policies. For further details on what such a policy means and why it matters, visit the CCL website. |
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CEJA Combats the Climate Crisis
Leaders of the Illinois General Assembly and the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) reintroduced the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) on 2/9/21, intending to pass the comprehensive legislation in the General Assembly by May 2021. Designed to propel Illinois forward to a renewable energy future, the League of Women Voters of Wilmette supports CEJA. Considered part of a bold recovery effort to build a stronger economy and healthier communities, CEJA will boost clean energy, create new jobs, reduce utility bills and improve public health. We continue to collaborate with clean energy advocates across Illinois for passage of this important legislation. |
Past initiatives
Environmentally Focused Inter-League Organizations (ILOs)
The LWV-Wilmette is a member of two different Inter-League Organizations (ILOs) that work on environmental issues in our region. To learn more about them, here are links: