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LWVE Newsletter– The INTERCOM


LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Greetings, League members,


Over the past couple of weeks, we have seen a concerning display of accelerated executive power flexing.

After a dizzying array of executive orders— some rescinded, some held at bay in the courts, some never ostensibly meant to do anything other than sow chaos and uncertainty— many people are searching for a solid place to stand. I have no answer for that. We have been battling flu in my house, I am not certain which is more culpable for the woozy place I find myself.

Many historians, while in the same breath using words like unprecedented and destabilizing, argue that this country has survived much worse historically. That may be true, but this is certainly the most destabilizing period I have lived through. The blanket pardons hit me pretty hard; that, coupled with the absolutely baseless blaming of California’s forest fires and the plane crash in D.C. on DEI, has led me to find myself in a pit of despair. I have lots of company in this pit, and I am grateful to have such capable people sharing that space with me and inspiring me to stop wallowing and focus on the next task.

On February 9 we held our annual local program planning meeting. The discussion was energetic and inspiring, and it was wonderful to have two relatively new LWVE members as part of the group. Many thanks to Kathy Tate-Bradish who generously volunteered her house. Kathy’s positivity and regular willingness to say “yes” is a ray of sunshine.

I would also like to thank all of the women who worked tirelessly on the review of Envision Evanston 2045. My block has many signs in place voicing an opinion. I urge you to read both the
the draft plan and the LWVE response.

Finally, voting is a critical issue to League members. If the suffragists were superheroes (and I believe most of them were), access to voting is a major component of our League of Women Voters origin story. I just got an email this morning from the LWVUS asking me to “urge your Members of Congress to vote ‘No’ on the SAVE Act.” This Act would require citizenship documentation to reregister to vote despite the fact that voters in every state are already required to affirm or verify citizenship status when registering. This is just another barrier to the voting process and there will undoubtedly be more to come. This is why the League of Women Voters needs each of us.

There is a lot of work to be done.  Come to the next League event and prepare to be inspired.
—Michelle Jordan, President, League of Women Voters of Evanston

THE INTERCOM
February 2025


Voter Services: Evanston and Skokie Candidate Forums Election Day is April 1. Learn about opportunities to hear from candidates for local positions in Evanston, Skokie, and School District 65.


School Board Election Vital for District 65 A longtime District 65 educator and administrator stresses the importance of learning about the candidates and of voting.


LWV’s New National Membership Platform The LWV is transitioning to a new membership structure. A key aim is to get more people involved in empowering voters and defending democracy.


The Election Has Happened, What Comes Next? Professor Dick Simpson joined us at a lunchtime fundraiser to help us think about the presidential election outcome– and possible responses.


Environmental Justice: The Church Street Waste Transfer Station A LWVE working group is collaborating with other organizations to find ways of addressing long-standing concerns about harmful effects


Climate Corner: What is the Healthy Buildings Ordinance?– This proposed ordinance would set standards for Evanston’s largest buildings. What are its goals, what buildings would be involved, and how might it be implemented?


Envision Evanston 2045 This update reports on recent developments and includes an overview of the LWVE response to the draft Comprehensive Plan.


Membership Update Welcome to our new LWVE members.


Upcoming Events A guide to upcoming LWVE events, including Candidate Forums and our Annual Meeting, as well as events offered by neighboring leagues or co-sponsored with other organizations. More information on events can be found elsewhere in this issue and in the Events Calendar on our website. 


LWVE Leadership


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& Skokie, Illinois, since 1922

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Evanston, IL 60201

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