The League of Women Voters Lake Michigan Region invites members and the public to attend its 2024 Lake Michigan Region Earth Month Environmental Conference "Lake Michigan & the Great Lakes: Environmental Developments, Challenges and Opportunities" on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 10:00am to 4:30pm at Gorton Center, 400 E. Illinois, Lake Forest, Illinois in person or on-line. Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist Emeritus for WGN-TV, and a distinguished line-up of experts and policy makers will discuss recent developments in climate change and water science, law and policy as well as the future of climate change, water resources, and the Great Lakes strategy. Go here to register either for the online event or the in-person event. In person registration includes breakfast and lunch. Dinner will follow at The Gallery, 202 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Lake Forest, Illinois. Dinner registration is separate and cost $60. You can register for the dinner here.

And on the following day, Sunday afternoon, April 28, from 11:45am-2:30pm, please join us for our Lake Michigan "Cruise for a Cause" Brunch departing from Navy Pier. Enjoy a delightful brunch cruise on Lake Michigan while learning about and supporting the preservation and protection of the Lake Michigan watershed. Cost is $100 and you can register for the cruise here.

Registration for all these events is open to the public, so please forward to anyone who would be interested.

Friendly Tap buzzed with the energy of 23 attendees eager to delve into the intricacies of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Dawn Walker, the esteemed Chief of Staff for Water Reclamation, and Matthew Estenssoro, a renowned environmental law expert, graced the stage to share their profound insights. They illuminated the audience with a rich understanding of the history and functioning of our water and waste system. A standout moment was the discourse on the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, the largest in the world. Attendees were enthralled by the ingenious methods employed to test waste during the COVID-19 pandemic, pinpointing neighborhood hotspots. The duo also shed light on the ongoing efforts to combat flooding issues and treated the audience to a virtual tour of the impressive deep tunnel system. In a heartwarming gesture toward environmental conservation, attendees were gifted wildflower seeds, encouraging them to create their sanctuaries for bees and butterflies. As the formal part of the evening drew to a close, the fellowship in the room remained high, with several lingering to enjoy live music and conversation. The event not only imparted valuable knowledge but also fostered a strong sense of community among those dedicated to environmental sustainability.

The One Earth Film Festival started on Wednesday, April 17 and ends on Tuesday, April 23. Some of the events are in person, and some are virtual. Many of the events are in Oak Park or close to it. You can read their newsletter which includes all the information about the events leading up to and during the Film Festival.

The League's Observer Corps play a key role in community education and engagement. Trained Observers help their communities stay informed about decisions that impact them locally, while encouraging government transparency and accountability. Join the LWV IL for this session to become a trained Observer on Saturday, May 4, from 9:00-10:00am. Register here.

"Illinois: Creative Strategies and Coalitons Lead to Ratificaton" is a series of podcasts made for the National Collaborative for Women's History Sites. In a podcast episode on Illinois, Lori Osborne, Director of the Evanston Women’s History Project, discusses the struggle for the women’s vote at sites on the National Votes for Women Trail. You can hear the podcast here. Oak Park has a Pomeroy trail marker dedicated to Grace Wilbur Trout. You can read Grace's biographical page here.

On Tuesday, April 9, at the annual Oak Park Township Town Hall meeting in partnership with Change Illinois, we supported the request that a non-binding referendum question about redistricting be put on the Oak Park November election ballot. The referendum question that was submitted was "Should the State of Illinois adopt an independent citizens commission for the federal and state redistricting process?" After a few questions from the audience, a vote of the attendees was taken, and the referendum question was supported and passed! We now will work with Change Illinois to educate our Oak Park community about redistricting in preparation for their vote in November. Thanks to those Leaguers who showed up and supported the referendum question!

This year’s 99th LWV OPRF annual meeting will be on Wednesday, June 12, at Brookdale Senior Living Facility, with registration beginning at 5:30pm. A light dinner will be served. The Call to Order will start at 6:00pm. A big thank you to Brookdale for hosting the League a second year!

Mark your calendars now for our Annual Plant Sale Fundraiser scheduled for May 3-5 from  9:00am-5:00pm at the Good Earth Greenhouse, 7900 Madison, River Forest. Choose from a lovely selection of plants and planting items, and the League will get 15% of your purchases. When you check out, be sure to tell the clerk that you're participating in the League event and fill out the form at the cash register. 

If you missed the opportunity to hear about social reformer Grace Bagley during our November event at her original Hinsdale house, you can go to the Hinsdale Library to view The Finding Grace exhibit and hear from curators Julia Bachrach and Julie Follett on Tuesday, May 14, from 7:00-8:00pm. Register for this free event here.

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