Empowering Voters - Defending Democracy

The League of Women Voters is a political organization that neither supports nor opposes candidates or parties and encourages informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League of Women Voters of the La Grange Area serves the people of Brookfield, Burr Ridge, Countryside, Indian Head Park, Hinsdale, Hodgkins, La Grange, La Grange Highlands, La Grange Park, Riverside, Western Springs and Westchester.

Demystifying the Ballot: Understanding Every Office & Role

When - Tuesday, September 8, 7pm - 8:30pm

Where - Plymouth Place Dole Hall, 315 N La Grange Rd

From Commissioner to Lieutenant Governor, how can you choose a candidate if you don’t know what they’re supposed to do? The League of Women Voters of La Grange Area will provide a workshop on the positions on your ballot so that you can make an informed choice when you vote on or before Nov 3. The workshop will focus on the function of each office in the upcoming election. LWV is a non-partisan organization and this program will not discuss individual candidates running for office. In addition, LWV will introduce its Vote411.org website, a great source of information on candidates and ballot items. During the workshop LWV will be seeking feedback from participants on questions to include on upcoming candidate forums. The recorded forums will be available through Vote411 for viewing. Please register in advance here.

LWV Members, Please Join Us For Our Fall Kickoff Meeting

When - Thursday, September 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where -  The Elm, 23 W. Harris Ave., La Grange, IL

Start the new League year by mingling with members and learning about volunteer opportunities and upcoming programs. We’ll serve light appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks. 

This event is for members and their guests. The cost is $35 per person, and registration is required.  

To register and pay:

• Register here: https://forms.gle/kfNzVUbTm9Qq2GEi6
• Zelle: lagrangelwv [at] gmail.com
• Check: Mail to P.O. Box 542, La Grange, IL 60525 (or bring payment to event)

Questions? Contact Lara Taylor (larat08 [at] hotmail.com (subject: LWVLGA%20Fall%20Kickoff, body: ) ) or Denise Dean (denise.dean [at] protonmail.com (subject: LWVLGA%20Fall%20Kickoff, body: ) ).

Volunteer to Help Voters Get Ready for Election Day

LWVLGA is partnering with LWV Cook County and the Greater Chicago Food Depository to provide voter registration and voter education assistance at two local food pantries this fall. Volunteer opportunities are available at:

Share Food Share Love Food Pantry
9030 Brookfield Ave., Brookfield
Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings

Grace Central Outreach Food Pantry
10216 Kitchener St., Westchester
Tuesday evenings and Wednesday afternoons

Volunteers will help community members check their voter registration status, register to vote, and learn about their voting options before the November 3 election. Before volunteering, please view the LWV Cook County training video.  Questions? Contact: voterservices [at] lagrangearealwv.org

Signup to volunteer here. 

Considering a Run for Local Office?

On August 6th, the La Grange Area LWV hosted a program to detail how anyone can become a candidate for public office. The discussion covered key factors such as ballot access requirements, petition circulation, caucuses, and campaign finance rules, and was driven by election law experts Ronette McCarthy and Tyler Smith from Ancel Glink, a full-service local government law firm that has consulted with and represented Illinois local governments at all levels for nearly 100 years.

This material was followed by a panel discussing firsthand experience from local elected officials about why they ran for office, what they've learned in public service, and the rewards and challenges of serving their communities. Panelists included Beth Augustine, Village Trustee, Village of La Grange, Nicole Gilhooley, Village Trustee, Village of Brookfield, Heidi Rudolph, Village President, Village of Western Springs, and Shawn Kennedy, Lyons Township High School District 204 school board member.

You can download a copy of the slides presented by the Ancel attorneys here.

La Grange LWV Releases Plan and Goals for 2026

Wonder what the La Grange Area League is planning for 2026? Based on our member planning session from May, we have finalized plans and goals for the next year. Just go to the "Who We Are" menu selection at the top of the screen.

LWV of Illinois Releases Fact Checking Resources

In recent years double checking claims made by candidates, PACs, and other information providers has become more necessary than ever. A task force of the Illinois League of Women Voters has released a very useful summary of Web sites and other resources you can use to double check the information that you encounter. You can download the document here.

Join Us for Lively Discussions of US Foreign Policy

Great Decisions is a program created and supported by the Foreign Policy Association which consists of eight units, each focusing on a timely topic in foreign relations from the US perspective. Meetings are held monthly on the fourth Wednesday of each month (except for July, August and December) at the Hinsdale Public Library and on-line via Zoom. A program book (available at the Library) is supplemented with two or three additional recent resources. Each meeting starts with a short video,  followed by a facilitated group discussion.  rblackwell [at] punshui.com (More information is available here).

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