March 8, 2023 at 7:00pm

women's history and the era

Although far from off the table, the Equal Rights Amendment still faces some hurdles before it becomes part of the US Constitution.

The Equal Rights Amendment: A Century in the Making is a Women’s History Month event co-sponsored with the Wilmette Public Library

Attorney, legal scholar and active LWVW member Michele Thorne will discuss the history and future of the ERA. Get an ERA status update, your questions answered and chat with Michele on March 8 at 7:00 pm at Wilmette Public Library Auditorium. 

Village Board Considers Future of Commissions
At its July 30,2020  meeting, the Village Board Administration Committee indicated their intention to recommend to the full Village Board the reinstatement of the Housing and Human Relations Commissions.  The Committee will also recommend what the charters and composition of each commission should be.  A video recording of the meeting is available here. 

As outlined in our letter to the committee, the League supports reinstating both commissions and seeing them appropriately chartered to tackle the pressing issues of affordable housing and make Wilmette a more welcoming and inclusive community.

Additional comment from community members can be found in the July 30th  meeting packet. 

Village Board Administration Committee Discusses Human Relations Commission Mission and Purpose, Selection of Members
at September 3 Meeting.

The Administration Committee of the Village Board had its 3rd meeting to review Village boards and commissions. The meeting focused on finalizing the purpose and function of the Human Relations Commission and starting its focus on the selection process for boards and commissions. The meeting packet also included a memo about appointment powers and a memo from the Village President about the current appointment process.  The committee is asking for public comment from the community for improving the appointment process to be emailed prior to their September 17 meeting.  For more details and links to the above referenced documents, read the Village Board section of our September 3rd Observer Report. 

Meetings observed through November 4, 2020
Village Board/Committees/Commissions: Oct. 13 & 27; CoW Budget Workshop Oct. 28; Plan Commission Oct. 6
Park Board/Committees: Oct. 15 & Oct. 26; Committees: CoWs Oct. 8 & 15, Parks & Recreation Oct. 7 and Nov. 4, Financial Planning & Policy Oct. 19, Golf Operations Oct. 26; Nov. 2 Lakefront (observed a recording because log-on info listed on agenda was incorrect)
D39 BoE in person meeting: BoE Oct. 9 & Oct. 26 (observed a recording of Oct. 9 and remotely of Oct. 26); we didn’t observe CoW because remote viewing was not available and no recording was posted.
D203 BoE in person meetings: Oct. 13 and 19 and Nov. 4 (all observed remotely)
Library Board/Committees: Oct. 20; Finance Committee Oct. 5
Township Board:  No board meeting in October
 
Board and Committee Meeting Highlights Oct. 1-Nov.4

• COVID-19. The D39 and D203 BoEs continued to engage with their administrations and the public on student learning in the midst of the pandemic.  D203 paused its 25%-hybrid in-person program after 4 days of implementation in early October, but its BoE in a special meeting on November 4 instructed the administration to resume a hybrid program starting on November 10.  In October, the D203 BoE approved a voluntary testing program for students/staff involved in the hybrid program.  D203 also has a 100% remote option for those who selected it.  D39 has had both in-person (100% K-4, hybrid grades 5-8) and optional fully remote programs.  Other boards also discussed COVID-19 impacts on finances and/or programs.
• Village Boards and Commissions. The Village Board adopted changes to the VIllage Code relating to Boards and Commissions.  Changes include rechartering and reinvigorating the previously dormant Housing and Human Relations Commissions. The Village is now actively seeking interested residents to serve on the Housing and Human Relations Commissions.
• Shoreline Protection, Gillson Master Planning, Potential Community Playfield (CPF) Improvements/Amenities, Golf Course Cart Path.  The Park Board and committees discussed all these matters; the Park Board approved a construction contract for the Golf Course Cart Path and its Parks & Recreation Committee voted to recommend two amenities (running-water bathrooms and a fitness path) for CPF to the full Park Board for the Park Board to vote on. A committee-of-the whole meeting involved a walk-the-park with consultants to give input on Gillson master planning,
• Village and Park Board FY2021 Budget and 2020 Tax Levy Proposals.  It is FY2021 budget and 2020 tax levy season for our two local government entities that have calendar year fiscal years, and there has been budget and tax levy development work at the committee or committee of the whole level for both entities.  Expect board consideration/approvals coming in November and December (and January for the Park Board’s budget ordinance adoption).
• D39 and D203 Tax Levy proposals and Library District Tax Levy adoption. It is  also 2020 tax levy season for our three July 1-June 30 fiscal year  government entities.  Each BoE approved its tentative tax levy at its October meeting, with final votes coming in November after public hearings.  The Library Board adopted its tax levy ordinance at its October meeting.  Note: because of these entities’ July 1-June 30 fiscal years and the way our property taxes operate, their 2020 tax levy ordinances mostly affect their FY2021-22 budgets.

See more detail on these and other happenings below for each board we follow.
 
Village Board

• The Village Board adopted an extension of its previously issued Eighth Amended COVID-19 Declaration of Emergency  at both of its October meetings.
• The Village Board on Oct. 27 adopted an ordinance amending the Village Code concerning boards and commissions , which included changes to recharter and repurpose the previously dormant Housing and Human Relations Commissions. This vote followed a presentation of the Administration Committee’s recommendations concerning boards and commissions  to the Village Board on Oct. 13, which followed 4 meetings that the committee held between July and September on the topic. Some changes were made to the ordinance following the Oct. 13 meeting based on Trustee input as detailed in memoranda in the meeting packet  and additional agenda material  for the Oct. 27 meeting. The LVW-W submitted a letter to the Village Board supporting the adoption of the ordinance and commending the Administration Committee and Village Manager Mike Braiman for their work in developing the ordinance, including in engaging the public in the process.
• The Village Board continued its FY2021 Budget process with a committee-of-the-whole budget workshop on Oct. 28, at which it heard from Village staff a FY2021 Proposed Operating Budget Presentation and discussed the  FY2021 Proposed Operating Budget.  Next steps: Introduction of the budget ordinance on November 10 and public hearing and vote on adoption of the budget ordinance on Nov. 24. The Village’s proposed budget includes information on the projected Village 2020 tax levy.  Next steps in the tax levy: introduction of the tax levy ordinance on Nov. 24 and public hearing and vote on the adoption of the tax levy ordinance on December 8. 
• The Village Board continued moving forward with Phase 2 of the Neighborhood Storage Project at Hibbard Park by approving 1) a $1.6M contract for the the pre-purchase of pre-cast concrete units  to be used in the project on Oct. 13 and 2) the waiver of competitive bids to allow staff to negotiate a $12-13M construction contract with Berger Excavating Contractors on Oct. 27.  Final board approval of Phase 2 construction contracts (if successfully negotiated) may take place on Nov. 24 for a Jan./Feb. construction start date. The Park Board must also sign off on the final plans (see below on the Park Board’s consideration of the plans) under the Village and Park District’s Intergovernmental Agreement.  For LWV-W coverage of earlier history in this project, see earlier Observer Corps updates and, for developments prior to when construction on Phase 1 started on April 6, our Stormwater Improvement Project page.
• Director of Community Development John Adler gave to the Plan Commission an overview of the upcoming Village Comprehensive Plan review process , which he said he expects the Plan Commission will be overseeing.  See the Village’s unofficial meeting summary.
• Village staff gave an update to the Village Board on Oct. 27 on the Central Avenue and Downtown Streetscape Project.

 
Wilmette Park Board

• The Park Board met as a committee of the whole to hear a presentation from outside consultant SmithGroup on shoreline protection options for both Langdon and Gillson. The Lakefront Committee subsequently received cost estimates on these options, which are expected to be in the November 9 Park Board meeting packet.  The options for Gillson will be rolled into the Gillson Master Planning process, and the Lakefront Committee is expecting to further discuss options for Langdon.
• The Gillson master planning process continued with a committee of the whole involving a walk through the park with outside consultants, Lakota Group and Woodhouse Tinucci for the consultants to get initial input from Commissioners and, in the public comment period, the public. The consultant put together a compilation of comments received at that meeting for the Lakefront Committee and that compilation is expected to be in the November 9 Park Board meeting packet.  The consultants also indicated at that committee meeting that a meeting focused on gathering public input is expected to be held in January.
• With respect to the Village’s use of Park District property in its Neighborhood Storage Project, 1) the Park Board heard a presentation from the Village on the Village’s plan for Phase 2 at Hibbard Park and 2) the Parks & Recreation Committee voted to recommend to the Park Board the installation of running-water bathrooms and a fitness path at Community Playfield (CPF) in connection with Phase 1 construction at CPF; that CPF construction took place this past summer.  Because the Village is using Park District property in this project, the two entities entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement earlier in 2020; among other things, the agreement requires Park District approval of the final plan for construction at each park and for the Village to fund certain amenities at the parks if the Park District decides to install those amenities. The Parks & Recreation Committee, the Park Board and Park District staff have held several meetings in the past several months at which it heard public input on potential amenities at CPF.  Next step:  at its Nov. 9 meeting, the Park Board is expected to vote on: 1) the final plan for Phase 2 at Hibbard and 2) whether to move forward on running-water bathrooms and a fitness path at CPF.
• The Park Board voted 6-1 in a special meeting on October 27 to accept a $860K construction bid from A-Lamp Contractors for a continuous cart path project at Wilmette Golf Club; construction is expected to start November 2.  At that meeting the Park Board also voted to give staff direction to pursue a 12-year private placement operational debt structure to fund the project. See meeting materials for more information.
• The Park Board received the district’s FY2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
• The Financial Planning & Policy Committee heard from staff on the  FY2020 Income Statement Through September with Projections for Remainder of 2020.  This report has been updated monthly for the past several months with an attempt each month to project the year-end deficit, especially in light of COVID-19’s impact on the Park District.
• FY2021 budget planning kicked off at the committee level with all committees reviewing the FY2020 proposed budgets for the departments they oversee.  Next step: a committee of the whole meeting on Nov. 11 to consider the FY2020 capital plan and TBA on the entire FY2020 budget, all leading to the expected Park Board vote in January on the adoption of the FY2020 budget ordinance.
• Staff gave a presentation to the Financial Planning & Policy Committee on their 2020 Tax Levy Approach. Next steps are the introduction of the tax levy at the Nov. 9 Park Board meeting and a public hearing and vote on adoption of the final tax levy ordinance at the Dec. 14 Park Board meeting.
• It was reported at the Financial Planning & Policy Committee that staff is working on a new diversity and inclusion statement and on a new inclusion policy, which we hope to see at the November committee and/or Park Board meeting.

 
New Trier High School D203 BoE

• D203 went through various stages of remote and in-person learning during October and early November, and the BoE engaged with both the administration and public at its regular October meeting and 2 special meetings in October/early November.  During a pause in in-person learning, the BoE requested a special meeting on November 4 to revisit the then-current plan and ultimately voted to resume a hybrid learning program to start on November 9.   That came after the BoE had voted on a voluntary screening program at a special meeting on Oct. 13.   For more information, see the administration’s presentation on in-person learning and Supt. Sally’s memo on a return to in-person learning from the Nov. 4 meeting materials, along with a presentation on surveys from that meeting, and a presentation on the screening program from the Oct. 13 meeting.
• The BoE approved the 2020-21 Annual Plan, which includes goals concerning civil discourse & critical thinking, staff diversity, restorative justice and departmental equity goals.
• The BoE approved course proposals for implementation in 2021-22, including a major course revision for a social studies course to be called “Civil RIghts and Social Protest in Modern America.”
• The BoE approved the tentative 2020 tax levy and public hearing date, after a presentation on the same. Next step: Public hearing and BoE vote on the final 2020 tax levy ordinance on Nov. 16.
• The BoE approved the issuance of $4.2M in working cash fund bonds to finance summer 2021 construction.

 
Wilmette Public Schools D39 BoE

• The BoE heard a presentation from Supt. Cremascoli on the Oct. 23 update on the Metrics Dashboard and her Oct. 23 Metrics Team Update, both on the D39 website. She said that the metrics were concerning, but that D39 was continuing with its in-person learning program(100% in person K-4, hybrid grades 5-8) for those who selected it.  She urged everyone to remain vigilant with prevention and mitigation strategies and said people should be on alert for a potential pause in in-person learning if metrics get worse.
• Staff gave a presentation to the BoE on the Enhanced Remote Learning Program, which is the program for the 20% of students who opted for 100% remote learning. The presentation included results from surveys of parents, students and teachers on the program.
• The BoE on Oct. 9 approved a Letter of Agreement (LoA) with the Wilmette Education Association.  The LoA was posted on the D39 website after the meeting.
• The BoE approved D39’s 2020 Estimated Tax Levy and Public Hearing Date.  Next step: Public hearing and vote on the final 2020 tax levy ordinance on Nov. 16.
• The BoE approved the 2020-21 Superintendent Goals.
• The BoE heard from staff on its Ebook Platform and Wilmette Public Library Partnership.

 
Library Board

• The Library Board adopted its 2020 Tax Levy ordinance after its Finance Committee voted earlier in the month to recommend its approval.
• Director Auston gave a report on library activities, which included 1) summaries of activities in and outside the building and remotely and involving physical and electronic collections, including the partnership with D39, and 2) human resources matters.
• The Library Board approved a $175K bid from Bibliotheca for a Radio Frequency Identifcation (RFID) automation system, which is a tool to track, inventory and facilitate the circulation of the library’s physical collections.
• The Library Board approved contracts relating to items identified from a 2020 Capital Reserve Study: a $16K Shales-McNutt Construction contract amendment for pre-construction services for 2021 interior renovation work; a $21.5K Engberg Anderson Architects contract for initial architectural services to address priority items from the study; a $24-33K contract with LPS Pavement Co. related to the permeable paver parking lot; a $6.8K contract with Reliant Contract Glass to address various water leaks.

 
New Trier Township
Although there was no Township Board meeting, the LWV-W sent an email to the Township Board and Clerk this month concerning a citizen-initiated ballot advisory question that was voted on at the Sept. 29 annual town meeting.

Monitoring local government meetings is a long-established League of Women Voters practice, helping keep the community informed about current issues. Members volunteer to attend or watch a meeting of Wilmette area governing bodies and share what they observed in a first person written report. 

spread the word. ensure a safe election.

Boards we observe

Wilmette Village Board of Trustees:
The Village Board is the legislative and policy-making body of the Village and includes the Village President and six Trustees. Regular Village Board meetings are broadcast live on cable Channel 6 and replayed the following day at 1 pm. The meeting schedule is available on the​ LWV Wilmette calendar.

Board of Park Commissioners
The Board of Park Commissioners oversees the administration of the Wilmette Park District.
 Administrative Offices: 847-256-6100
The meeting schedule is available at www.wilmettepark.org

Wilmette Public Library Board of Trustees
The board meeting schedule is available at 
https://www.wilmettelibrary.info/about/library-trustees/board-meetings
​
District 39: Wilmette Elementary
The board meeting schedule is available at   www.wilmette39.org

District 203: New Trier High School
The board meeting schedule is available at  
​www.newtrier.k12.il.us
​

Protecting Our Local Environment

monarch conservation webinar July 28th

As individuals and as a community, we are increasing habitat for monarch butterflies in our yards and our public parks, like Gillson, Mallinckrodt, Elmwood Dunes, and Centennial. Only July 28th, join Monarch Joint Venture and the National Conservation Training Center for a webinar about the status of monarch habitat throughout the country. 

REGISTER HERE

LWV Wilmette believes that “your vote is your voice.” We want to make sure your voice is heard, regardless of background, party affiliation or views. How do we do this?  By helping you become “Vote Ready.” That means not waiting until election day to start thinking about how you will vote. It means making sure you are properly registered to vote – either for the first time or by updating your current registration (if, for example, you have changed your residence), knowing where your polling place is, what issues are on the ballot, and understanding candidate positions. Doing this now will allow your vote to be your voice on election day! 

For high school voters, getting “Vote Ready” with your parents or a trusted, experienced voter may be helpful. Discuss where your polling place is and what your ballot will look like. Make a plan for going to the poll together – before or after school, during lunch period, etc. If you haven’t already registered, you can do it online at https://www.elections.il.gov/. 

For college voters, you’ll have more choices in getting “Vote Ready.”  If you are going to college in Illinois, you can maintain your Illinois voter registration and get all the info you need at https://www.elections.il.gov/. Illinois makes it easy to vote; you may vote early at select polling places, at your assigned polling place on election day, or even through “grace period registration” (by showing up with proper identification and registering and voting on the spot).  You can also vote by mail if you request a ballot ahead of time.
​
If you are attending college out of state, you may still vote in Illinois or choose instead to vote in your new state (you can vote in either, but not both). To vote outside of Illinois, you will need to register in your new state. We advise doing so as soon as possible, as some states have different requirements than Illinois, such as requiring an in-state driver’s license or proof of residency. 
Great non-partisan resources for state-by-state voting info include: Voting in College, rockthevote.org, and vote411.org. Use one or more of these sites to make your plan and get yourself Vote Ready.

 In Progress
Click on the board member's name below in order to send them an email. The link should take you directly to your email program. Unfortunately not all email programs support this functionality. However, the actual email will display at the bottom of your screen and you can type it directly.

Know Your Local Govenment

Village Manager meeting

On March 6th, LWV- Wilmette members had the opportunity to meet and hear from our new Village Manager, Mike Braiman. Mike, formerly our Assistant Village Manager, briefed members on a variety of topics from the Optima Development, to Stormwater to the Coronavirus. Thanks to Mike and all who attended this informative event.

Take Action

Fairmaps amendment; springfield rally day 3/26/20

The rally has been CANCELLED!

The People Powered Fair Maps Campaign is a national redistricting campaign of the League of Women Voters focused on creating fair political maps nationwide. LWV-IL will be focused on implementing fair redistricting processes through state constitutional provisions requiring “free and fair” redistricting processes. In conjunction with Change IL,  the LWV-IL is organizing a Springfield Rally Day on 3/26/20. If you are interested in joining, please sign up at this link.

Learn more

Save the Date! 

The State of our Environment and What we can do about it

This program has been POSTPONED!

We're so excited to have an outstanding panel of experts to discuss the environmental priorities that their respective organizations are working on and what we as a community can do to help drive change. Details and RSVP to come next week.
Panelists:
Kady McFadden, Deputy Director, Sierra Club Illinois
Jen Walling,  Illinois Environment Council
Laura Fine, Illinois State Senator
Alliance for the Great Lakes
Environmental Law and Policy Center 

Early Voting is Now Open!

be an informed voter

Early voting started March 2.  To be an informed voter, visit the LWV-Wilmette Voter Guides Page   empowering voters across the state to access non-partisan candidate information up and down the ballot in every precinct. Voters can find their ballot, learn about candidates, (including judges) and print out their choices so they are prepared when they vote. When you vote, don’t forget to tag us at @wilmettelwv!! Please share this useful online tool to empower the voters you know! 

Go to Voters Guides

Ongoing

Student & Government Leaders Program at Wilmette Junior High​

For over 50 years, the LWV-Wilmette has worked with junior high students to learn about local government. Students will have the opportunity to act as elected officials at Mock Village Board and D39 meetings this week.

Mock D39 Meetings, March 4th at the Mikaelian Center.
Meeting #1 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Meeting #2 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Mock Village Board Meetings, March 5th at Village Hall.
Meeting #1 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. 
Meeting #2 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

MEMBERS VOLUNTEER HERE

Co-sponsored by Wilmette and other north suburban leagues.

Women's History Month Luncheon

Melissa Isaacson is an award-winning sportswriter, author, and public speaker. In more than 30 years on the job, she has covered every major US sports championship as well as the Olympics. She is currently on the faculty of Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism and lives in the Chicago area. Melissa has written State, the story of her experiences on the Illinois state champion 1979 Niles West High School girls basketball team. She will speak to us about transformational power of girls' athletics and the controversial legislation that allowed it to happen.

RSVP

Members Only

Living Room Conversation with Mike Braiman ​

 Did you know Wilmette has a new Village Manager? Mike Braiman, formally our Assistant Village Manager, has just been sworn in as our new Village Manager. The League is pleased to offer our members the opportunity to have a conversation with Mike about the current state of the Village and what is on the horizon. Bring your questions too - perfect chance to ask a Village expert! ​
​March 6, 2020 at 9:30 am.

RSVP

2020 Election 

REGISTER TO VOTE

The LWV- Wilmette focus this year is on registering new voters, updating voter registrations and providing non-partisan information about voting. 

​The Illinois primary election is March 17.

MORE INFORMATION

Early Voting Begins March 2

Illinois Voter Guide is Here

The guide, available at Illinoisvoterguide.org empowers voters across the state to access candidate information up and down the ballot in every precinct. Voters can find their ballot, learn about candidates, and print out their choices so they are prepared when they vote.  Please share this useful online tool to empower the voters you know! 

MORE INFORMATION

Celebrating 100 Years

League of Women Voters 100th Anniversary

Thank you to all who gathered at the Village Board meeting recently to celebrate 100 years of service to American voters. Village President Bob Bielinski joined elected officials around the country in reading a proclamation commemorating the founding of the League of Women Voters of the United States.  Bielinski proclaimed February 14, 2020 as “the date for the Village of Wilmette to celebrate the League of Women Voters and its vision of a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate.” 

All Eyes on the State's Attorney Race

Cook county Election Debates

ABC 7 has partnered with the League of Women Voters of Cook County and Univision Chicago to present two, hour-long, commercial-free debates with candidates running for the office of Cook County State's Attorney in the March 17 primary election.​

MORE INFORMATION

Happy Birthday LWV

100TH ANNIVERSARY

The League is 100 years old on February 14th! The League was founded by suffrage leaders 100 years ago to help American women exercise their new right to vote. We join Leagues across the country in demonstrating the power of women to achieve a more perfect democracy.

MORE INFORMATION

what we're watching 

AFFORDABLE HOUSING UPDATE​

On January 7, Wilmette's Plan Commission looked at a Planned Unit Development (PUD) application for an 108-unit Optima mixed-use apartment building at 1210 Central, currently the International Bank building. ​​The Plan Commission met on February 4th and voted to not recommend the project by a vote of five to two.  The project will reach the Village Board for a final vote on February 25. 

MORE INFORMATION

share your opinion

STORMWATER UPDATE

The Village Board will consider Municipal Services Committee's recommendations at their February 11 meeting. Specifically, they will discuss the following decision points: one-time incentives for all properties, retroactive credits for MWRD compliant projects, credits for properties that are combined Institutional Use and 501(c)(3) owned, and educational credits for private schools. We encourage our members to familiarize yourselves with the information in the meeting packet and share your point of view on these topics with your Municipal Services Committee Chair Daniel Sullivan.  

MORE INFO

Oakton Community College Board of Trustees
​On April 2, thirteen candidates will seek election for three seats  on the Board. Oakton CC serves 16 communities including Evanston and Wilmette. Visit LWV Evanston’s Voter Guide to learn more about the candidates.

Municipal Elections Coming Up April 2, 2019
Mark your calendars for the upcoming Municipal Election on April 2, 2019. Early voting begins March 18.
The LWV 2019 Voter Guide is now on-line. Visit our 2019 Local Election Guide page for online and downloadable versions and more.

Donate to LWV-wilmette: Click here!

Go to Election Information