You’re probably aware of LWVE’s ties to the Cook County, Illinois, and US Leagues, but LWVE also belongs to two important regional Interleague Organizations (ILOs) that focus on environmental issues and precious water resources.  As members of these organizations, we send a delegate to annual meetings, vote on initiatives, participate in educational programs, and receive environmental insights, many of which inform our climate change local program and make their way to our website via links. 

• The League of Women Voters Upper Mississippi River Region (LWV UMRR) ILO is a 501(c)(3) organization made up of 58 local Leagues and five state Leagues (Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin) in the Upper Mississippi River watershed.  The ILO’s work focuses on nutrient pollution reduction and impacting the rate of climate change, with environmental and human health concerns associated with both surface and groundwater in the Upper Mississippi Basin. LWV UMRR’s advocacy efforts have been successful in educating and influencing practices that affect nutrient pollution from farm and urban runoff and wastewater treatment that creates algal blooms in the Mississippi River and dead zones in the Gulf.  The ILO has a robust website and YouTube channel loaded with educational materials, videos of past programs, and blog content that highlights the importance of the watershed and all the rivers that feed into the Upper Mississippi.  Steve Murphy was our delegate to the most recent annual meeting, during which an action plan was adopted to work with LWV affiliates and other groups to advocate for the river in a broad national context, including educational opportunities and working on federal legislation to protect the Mississippi River.

• The League of Women Voters Lake Michigan Region (LWV LMR) ILO is a 501(c)(3) organization consisting of over 60 local Leagues and four state Leagues (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin) in the Lake Michigan watershed and regional planning areas.  It operates under the Natural Resources position of the League of Women Voters of the United States.  Its mission is to promote active governmental participation in issues affecting the watershed, including climate change.  Paula Leather was our most recent annual meeting (2024) delegate, and she reported on a fantastic panel on the subject of water quality and climate change impacts on the Great Lakes in the July 2024 Intercom (page 5).