Newsletter - June 2023

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Newsletter Highlights

Clerk of the Court Iris Martinez to speak at

Food for Thought July 28

Guided Forest Preserve Walks

June 28, Aug 31, Sept 26

Thank you to all the retiring and new LWVCC Board members

Food for Thought Luncheon

All League Members Invited

Program: Clerk of the Court Iris Martinez

When: Friday, July 28 11:30 am-1 pm

Where: DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson, DePaul Club Room

Cost: $35

Choice of a salad boxed lunch

Register by July 23 for the meeting on the LWVCC Website Homepage

Featured Speaker for Food for Thought

Clerk of the Court Iris Martinez

Iris Martinez

Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County

Iris Martinez was elected in November 2020 as Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court. We will discuss her role in the second largest unified court system in the country, and the changes that have been made in her tenure.

Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court Office

2023 budget of $128 Million, the majority of which is for personnel costs
2023 approved full time positions of 1, 509
Responsible for approximately 24 million case files, including 3.9 million active files

Topics for discussion include:

Orders of Protection for victims of domestic violence
Shakman compliance within the Clerk's office
A new Call Center the Office
Implementation of a Case Management System.
The role of the Inspector General in the Clerk's office.

Thank you to all the members of our Local Leagues and the Cook County League who have served, or will be serving, on the Board. We appreciate the amount of time, effort, and Zoom involved.

LWVCC Board Changes

Thank you to retiring board members Nancy Clark, who served as Treasurer for the past four years and Georgia Gebhardt who served as an Elected Director.

Trudy Turner of the Evanston League is our new Treasurer.

Sandra Slayton of the Homewood Flossmoor League is a new Elected Director.

Criminal Justice Interest Group

Still awaiting the Illinois Supreme Court decision as to if the no bail provision of the SAFE-T Act is constitutional, thus plans for observing what used to be bond court are on hold.
Our next book discussion is at 9AM on June 23rd via zoom. The book is "Corrections in Ink" by Keri Blakinger. It is the story of a middle class inmate in prison for a non-violent drug charge who is now a reporter.
The next meeting of the Interest Group is Tuesday July 25 via zoom.

If you would like to attend the Interest Group meeting or the book discussion, please contact Jan Goldberg

Forest Preserve Interest Group

Join us for the opportunity to meet with a Cook County Forest Preserves naturalist for a guided nature walk.

We will walk through oak woodlands and the Des Plaines river floodplain. Woodland wildflowers should still be out and prairie wildflowers are emerging.

Guided Nature Walk at Trailside Museum of Natural History

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

10 am to Noon

738 Thatcher Ave River Forest, IL 60305

Limited to 20 people.

To register for June 28 send an email to info@lwvcookcounty.org

Dates to set aside for walks in the future:

Registration for these walks will be later in the summer.

Thursday, August 31 - Somme Reserve, Northbrook

Tuesday, September 26 - Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland

Cook County Governments

Observer Highlights

LWVCC observes and reports on board and committee meetings of Cook County government entities to provide our members with an understanding of current issues. To read more: LWVCC Observer Reports

OUR OBSERVERS REPORT...

Cook County Board of Commissioner Committee Meetings on May 24

The Legislative & Intergovernmental Relations Committee voted yes to a proposal to amend the ordinance regarding tobacco dealers eliminating the sale of flavored (including menthol) nicotine products.

Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board Meeting on May 23

A brownfield is a property that is underutilized or vacant that may have environmental issues that prevent redevelopment. The Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability will provide American Rescue Plan Act funds up to $1.5 million to the preserves in Brownfield Program demolition, environmental assessment and environmental remediation services for an estimated 65 structures. The plan is to increase green space for outdoor recreation.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board on May 4

After 4 years of research, the MWRD Board of Commissioners adopted its climate action plan (CAP) to be updated on an annual basis. The full plan can be found on the MWRD website at mwrd.org

Local League Upcoming Events

Monday June 26, 7:00 to 8:30 pm

Banned Books Reading Circle

Glenview-Glencoe League

Glenview Public Library Multipurpose Room

For further information go to https://www.lwvglens.org/banned-books-reading-circle

2023-2024 Cook County League Board Members

OFFICERS: President: Cynthia Schilsky, LaGrange Area; Vice-Presidents: Pris Mims, Chicago, Kathi Graffam, LaGrange Area; Secretary: Carolyn Cosentino, Homewood/Flossmoor; Treasurer: Trudy Turner, Evanston.

Board members: Laura Davis, Palatine; Diane Edmundson, Chicago; Jan Goldberg, LaGrange Area ; Betty Hayford, Evanston; Karin Hribar, Arlington Heights; Sandra Slayton, Homewood-Flossmoor

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, political organization whose mission is to encourage informed and active participation in government; to increase understanding of major policy issues, and to influence public policy through education and advocacy. Membership in the League is open to anyone regardless of gender, race, or ethnic group.

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League of Women Voters of Cook County

332 S. Michigan Ave. Suite 634, Chicago, IL 60604

312-939-5935 x127

lwvcookcounty.org