HomeLocal Program 2026–2027

LOCAL PROGRAM– Environmental Justice • Climate Change • Envision Evanston • Local Program Reports 2024–2026

Local Program

Each year members are encouraged to attend a Program Planning Meeting at which time current local positions are reviewed and our program for the coming year is planned. Recommendations are made for a new study and/or new action focus items. A new study is only necessary if there is not League position on the issue. An action focus recommendation is appropriate if there is an existing local, national or state position. It can combine citizen education and advocacy. A local action focus implies concerted effort to develop an action plan to influence local public policy.

Local Program must be approved by the board of directors and adopted by the membership at its annual business meeting.

Local Program 2026-2027

The League of Women Voters of Evanston will take appropriate action or collaborate with and support like-minded organizations and coalitions in Evanston and other northern suburban communities, to advocate for issues consistent with League positions.

LWVE's Local Program 2026–2027 focus areas continue the work of our league's Local Program for 2024–2026.

Environmental Justice

The Environmental Justice working group will:
▪ Collaborate with Environmental Justice Evanston to drive the long-term remediation of environmental harms associated with the Church Street Waste Transfer Station, using research & community advocacy to bring meaningful change.
▪ Continue our partnership with the Evanston Environmental Justice Coalition to strengthen collaboration across local groups working toward environmental equity.
▪ Educate our members and the Evanston community on issues related to environmental justice and recommend advocacy as appropriate and consistent with League positions.

Willie Shaw, Birch Burghardt, and Liz Bryant will lead this effort.

Envision Evanston– Zoning Code

The second part of Envision Evanston is the development of a new Zoning Code. Our working group will continue to observe the process, evaluate proposals, make suggestions to City staff and Council, and inform League members. We will:
▪ Follow the introduction and development of a new Zoning document, including proposed texts and community and Council Members reactions.
▪ Study revisions and determine areas of League advocacy based on League positions.
▪ Provide reports to League members and the community as appropriate on the process.
▪ The zoning discussion will revolve around issues of density, housing, and affordable housing. League positions and expertise on housing issues will be part of our work.

Sue Calder and Betty Hayford will lead this effort.

Climate Change

The focus of this working group is supporting climate change priorities in Evanston, Skokie, and Illinois, following the Evanston Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP) goals for 2026 and 2027, the Skokie Sustainability Plan, and environmental legislation in the Illinois General Assembly. Our action focus will be two-fold: Advocacy and Education. Advocacy will include initiatives with the Evanston City Council and its committees, the Skokie Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission, and the Illinois General Assembly. Education of members and the community at large will include public programs and Climate Corner articles in the Intercom. Specific initiatives could include:
▪ Prepare 5-10 Climate Corner articles and provide updates for the LWVE website.
▪ Sponsor two programs open to the public related to climate change and sustainability. 12
▪ Advocate for legislation such as the Evanston Lakefront Protection Ordinance, Evanston Natural Areas Ordinance, Illinois Wetlands Protection Act, Illinois POWER Act.
▪ Collaborate with organizations such as the Evanston Public Library, Go Green Skokie, Evanston Grows, and Climate Action Evanston and its subgroups on programming.
▪ Actively participate in inter-league organizations, LWV Lake Michigan Region (LWV LMR) and LWV Upper Mississippi River Region (LWV UMRR), and deepen our focus in Skokie.
▪ Coordinate more frequently on advocacy with the LWV Illinois environmental group.

Paula Scholl will lead this effort.

Click here to view more Climate Change information and resources.

Review efforts and reports for LWVE's Local Program 2024–2025 focus areas activities.

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