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 2025-2026

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 2025–2026 focus areas continue the work of our league's Local Program for 2024–2025.

Environmental Justice

Continue partnering with other community organizations to:
• Gain an understanding of the Church Street Waste Transfer Station,
• Work with and support affected community members in relocation or other actions to resolve outstanding issues related to the waste station and other environmental justice issues, and
• Educate our members and the Evanston community and recommend advocacy as appropriate and consistent with League positions.

Birch Burghardt and Willie Shaw are already working on this, and others may join them.

Envision Evanston 2045

Continue efforts to monitor, evaluate, and report on the process and outcomes of the Envision Evanston 2045 initiative, including revisions to both the Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Code.
• Follow the development of revisions to the draft Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code.
• Study revised versions and determine areas of League advocacy based on issues consistent with League positions.
• Educate members on proposed Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code revisions.

Betty Hayford, Sue Calder, and other members of the Local Government group will take the lead.

Climate Change

Support climate change priorities in Evanston, Skokie and the surrounding region, focusing on the Evanston Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP), as well as the Skokie Sustainability Plan. LWVE’s actions will focus on advocacy with the Evanston City Council and its committees, the Skokie Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission and the state legislature, and education of our members and the community at large about ways they can live more sustainably and support sustainable policy and environmental justice.

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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