League of Women Voters of Oak Park & River Forest Newsletter April 2023 Volume 10 Issue 9

Dear Friends, 

We have had another busy month for our Board and Committee members. The Advocacy Committee had two legislators’ meetings in the last few months, and there are four April meetings scheduled with our legislators to discuss League priorities and bills up for consideration by the 103rd Illinois General Assembly. Thanks to Marilyn Pearson, Advocacy Chair, for scheduling these meetings and keeping us on track.

Twenty-three people attended our Drinks & Dialogue March 30 meeting. Jan Goldberg gave a compelling and informative talk on the SAFE-T Act, including the Pretrial Fairness Act. Save the date for our next Drinks & Dialogue meeting on Wednesday, April 26 at 6:30. See below article for more information. Thanks to Belinda Lutz-Hamel for arranging these D & D opportunities.

April 22 is Earth Day. Look for ways you can Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle throughout your home, not just in April but year-round. A few ideas are turn off electronics and lights when not in use; reduce paper waste and choose online billing; turn off the tap; compost; set the refrigerator temperature between 38 F and 42 F; and replace your incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs. For more hints and ideas, go here.

Speaking of greening the Earth, even though the temperatures have been changing from day to day, they are moving in the right direction as spring approaches. Perennials are appearing in yards, and the birds are singing. All this points to our Spring Fundraiser at the Good Earth Greenhouse. We know you all are eager to get back to the garden, so see the article below and get started on your flower/vegetable plans to shop our fundraiser the weekend of May 5 – May 7.  

April 4 is the big day when those who didn’t vote early or by mail will go to the polls to cast their votes for the village candidates we watched in virtual forums over the past several weeks. Thanks to the good work that Peggy Kell, Voter Services Chair, did in organizing, moderating, and posting the forums. You can see those forum videos and hear the candidates’ priorities for the contested elections and also watch candidate statements for the uncontested elections in Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park here. More details to come after the election. Some of us may be concerned with the Chicago election too, where the Democratic candidate for Mayor will be chosen on Tuesday. Good luck to all the candidates! 

Gun violence prevention was spotlighted at the recent LWV IL Issues briefing. We are all aware of the constant barrage of gun violence and that last week, six people including three children lost their lives to gun violence. The League considers that

"gun violence in America and Illinois is a public health issue and, as such, demands an urgent, multifaceted, nonpartisan response.” To learn more about the LWVIL’s work on gun violence prevention, contact the League at issues@lwvil.org. “May we choose our children over chaos. May another innocent never be lost.” A Hymn For The Hurting: By Amanda Gorman – Kindred Media

Besides April Fool’s Day and Earth Day, other April calendar dates of note:

• Week of the Young Child April 1-7
• Global Pay It Forward Day April 28
• More ideas: Find a Rainbow Day, National Dandelion, Gardening, and Tell A Story Days.

Have a wonderful April -- we look forward to the return of warmer spring temperatures!

Jane and Joan

Spring is here and if you want to plant your garden, deck, doorway, or balcony with quality plants -- and benefit the LWV OPRF at the same time -- mark your calendar for our plant fundraiser. This fundraiser will once again be with Good Earth Greenhouse, 7900 Madison, River Forest, and will take place the weekend of May 5-7. LWV OPRF will receive 15% of sales. Simply go to the store, make your purchases, and either bring this checkout form or fill out one that will be available with the cashier. Also, please email Beverly Graham the amount of your purchase.

After a three-year hiatus, Drinks & Dialogue was successfully resurrected on Thursday, March 30, 2023. Jan Goldberg delivered a lively lecture explaining the SAFE-T Act, Pretrial Fairness Act, and her own research to a well-attended gathering in the relaxed atmosphere of Shanahan’s Irish Bar. Thank you to Belinda Lutz-Hamel and everyone’s contributions in creating an informative and enjoyable evening.

The League of Women Voters of Cook County Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 9, from 9:45am-1:00pm in Chicago at Roosevelt University, the Auditorium Building, 430 S. Michigan Avenue, in the Ida B. Wells Meeting Room. The room is on the second floor with elevator access. The meeting will include a continental breakfast and box lunch. Registration will begin at 9:15am, with the business meeting starting at 9:45am. A box lunch and program will follow the business meeting. The featured speaker for the program is Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Cameron Davis. While only delegates vote during the business meeting, all members are welcome and invited to attend. Our League is allowed 5 delegates, and we reimburse delegates for the $35 registration cost. Please email Joan Petertil if you are interested in being a delegate for this annual meeting. You can go here to register to attend.

The next Drinks & Dialogue will be Wednesday, April 26. Join us at Shanahan’s Irish Bar, 7353 Madison St., Forest Park, to learn about the mission of FORA (Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America), an after-school learning center that provides high dosage tutoring to refugee students to ensure their success in their new country. Hors d’ oeuvres will be served, cash bar. RSVP Belinda Lutz-Hamel.