2023 LWVCC Annual Meeting

   May 9, 2023
​ ​

80 members met in the Ida B. Wells Room of Roosevelt University to plan for the LWVCC 23-24 year. New officers were elected, a budget was passed, and the program was approved. A $2 per member PMP was also approved.

MWRD Commissioner Cam Davis was an excellent speaker discussing the workings of the MWRD and what League members can do to conserve water and prevent flooding.

​MWRD Commissioner Davis Thanks League members for "holding us accountable"

​Soften our Landscape, Conserve Water, Elect Conservation Leaders
​

Davis won over his audience with his enthusiasm and his commitment to improving our water and our environment. He also expressed his respect for LWVCC and local Leagues for our commitment to advocacy and good government. He acknowledged the importance of on-going LWVCC observing at MWRD meetings, meeting with Commissioners, and encouraging positive change. 

Davis outlined the “hard engineering” focus of MWRD on strengthening water quality and reducing floodwater, using pumps, pipes, plants, tunnels and reservoirs. But he insisted that broader environmental measures are essential.  We must soften our landscapes with more green areas and permeable pavers to reduce flooding and  conserve water to maintain its quality. He stressed that we need conservation leaders in all offices

Following his introductory remarks, Davis responded to questions posed by Vice President Pris Mims and members of the audience. He explained the pervasive presence of PFAs, “forever chemicals” that appear in numerous products, infiltrate water systems, and have harmful effects on humans.  MWRD can not address this system on its own, and action must be taken at the state and federal level to force manufacturers to stop using these dangerous materials. He also described the extensive Tunnel and Reservoir network (TARP, also referred to as Deep Tunnel), a multi-year project to control flood water.  While TARP has reduced flooding,  heavy rainfalls induced by climate change bring continuing challenges. MWRD has developed a program of green infrastructure funding to help municipalities support environmental projects as one aspect of its mission to combat flooding.
League members asked numerous questions about environmental challenges, including coal tar sealants, artificial turf, and MWRD land use policy.  Davis provided useful information, and admitted that many of these issues are outside the purview of this Cook County organization. The new Environmental Justice Advocate at the MWRD helps the helps the MWRD Board fulfill its commitment to Equity. 

​To learn more about the work of the MWRD, visit its website.

---

Annual Meeting Delegates approved the proposed officer slate, program, and budget.

2023-24 LWVCC Program

2023-2024 LWVCC Budget

LWVCC 2023-2024 Officers

​President: Cynthia Schilsky   LaGrange Area {2nd term 2023-2025}
Vice-President: Pris Mims    Chicago {2nd term 2023-2025}
Treasurer: Trudy Turner    Evanston {1st term 2023-2025}
Directors:
Laura Davis    Palatine Area {4th term 2023-2025}
Jan Goldberg   LaGrange Area {2nd term 2023-2025}
Sandra Slayton   Homewood/Flossmoor {1st term 2023-2025}

Continuing in present positions through May 2024 Annual Meeting
Vice-President Kathi Graffam    LaGrange Area {1st term 2022-2024}
Secretary: Carolyn Cosentino    Homewood/Flossmoor {1st term 2022-2024}
Directors:
Diane Edmundson    Chicago {3rd term 2022-2024}
Karin Hribar    Arlington Heights {1st term 2022-2024}
Betty Hayford    Evanston {1st term 2022-2024}
​
Nominating Committee:
Chair: Erin Roeper   Homewood-Flossmoor {1st term 2022-2024}
Member: Sue Calder   Evanston {1st term 2022-2024}

Interest Groups Annual Reports for 2022-2023

​Read the highlights of the activities of the League's Interest Groups this past year

Cook County Governments

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District ​

Cook County Health

Criminal Justice

Forest Preserve

Voter service

Guidelines for LWVCC Advocacy

At the Annual Meeting, Karin Hribar explained the parameters LWVCC uses in  advocating for issues and joining an external coalition.

Internal Advocacy Guidelines

External Advocacy Guidelines

Report Format Guidelines

      Cook County League Newsletter

 April 2023 Edition​
 
For recent issues of the newsletter, click here.​

Eyewitness​​​​ 

Read observer reports on what is happening in Cook County

The League of Women Voters of Cook County has observers at most board meetings of:

• The Cook County Board of Commissioners
• The Cook County Forest Preserve District (FPD) Board of Commissioners
• The Independent Cook County Health and Hospitals System (CCHHS) Board
• The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board. ​​