recommend that our members attend at least one national convention to learn all that the League does nationally and to network with members of other Leagues. For instance, LW-VUS filed suit in Florida to reinstate voting rights for all citizens in that state.

We want to thank especially Nicki Snoblin, Diane Sanderson, and Carol Gilbert for their efforts in communications. Our publicity efforts with GazeboNews, the Lake Forester, Patch, and the Chicago Tribune have helped us keep our community better informed about what our local League does.

We need volunteers for the Lake Forest Day Parade on August 1. Ann Grant and Mary Mathews in Carol Gilbert’s car formed our entry in the Lake Bluff parade.

We look forward to a full schedule starting on September 30 with our Membership Kick-Off Party. In October we also will be hosting candidate forums for the November elections. Some of the planned programs for the year include pension reform, campaign finance reform, and health care.

We thank all of you for your efforts as we educate on public policy and make the demo-cratic process work better.

Sincerely, Jane and Mary

Dear Leaguers,

When I called Diane Lloyd to learn when she would be home for the summer so that we could have a party for her, she said, “Let’s have it at my house, and I’ll provide a light lunch.” (It was delicious, too!) Although I was somewhat embarrassed, I couldn’t refuse. We all enjoyed catching up with her in her lovely, newly decorated home and being energized by her enthusiasm. She is truly a “hostess with the mostest” in hospitality!

In April we had a program on “Our Wa-ter in Peril” at the Gorton Center, which was well attended by the public. The panel was composed of Mike Adam from the Lake County Health Department, Judy Beck from the USEPA, and President John Sentell of the Lake Forest Open Lands Association. Look for more information in this newsletter and on our website.

Our discussion on privatization of govern-ment functions was at Happie Datt’s in late April for League members only. It was mod-erated by Betty-Ann Moore with Lake Bluff City Manager Drew Irvin, Liz Bradner, and Ann Hamlin sharing their experiences in city and federal government purchasing and con-tracting. Following the panel discussion, we responded to consensus questions that were sent to LWVUS.

Our annual meeting in May was held at Linda Bartmes’ beautiful home and garden. We feasted on a potluck luncheon and then held a business meeting to elect officers for the coming year.

Tracy Burns and Happie Datt were our delegates to the LWVUS National Conven-tion in Washington, DC, in June. They came back with enthusiasm and new ideas. We

League LinesLeague of Women Voters of the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Area

JULY 2012

Letter from the Co-Presidents

Inside this issue:

Our Water in Peril

Annual Meeting Report

Privatization Study

LWV Education and Advocacy Highlights

Parades

Flack-Checking

Hospital Expansion

National Convention Report

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“Our Water in Peril” panelists

PAGE 2 LEAGUE LINES

This spring our League joined with hun-dreds of organizations and governments all over the world to focus attention on the importance of fresh water and the need for sustainable management of fresh water resources. Since 1993, when the United Nations designated March 22 as World Water Day, water issues have received much-needed interna-tional attention.

As our communities of Lake Forest and Lake Bluff sit next to Lake Michigan, many of us take fresh water for granted and do not realize the extent of the problems. But our speakers, Judy Beck, Lake Michigan Manager, US EPA; Mike Adam, Senior Biologist, Lake County Health Department; and John Sentell, President, Lake Forest Open Lands As-sociation, did an excellent job explain-ing some of the water issues we face here in northeastern Illinois.

The Community Room at Gorton

Community Center was filled with a concerned audience who listened intently and asked pertinent questions. Many audience members expressed their appreciation for the program and the advice for water conservation.

If you would like to see the video of the program “Our Water in Peril,” it is available on our website, LWV-LFLB.org. The AAUW and Lake Forest Open Lands co-sponsored the program.

As we now are suffering from a drought, these conservation tips are especially relevant.

(1) Do not let water run while shaving or brushing teeth. (2) Take short show-ers instead of baths. (3) Keep drink-ing water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool. (4) Wash fruits and vegetables in a basin. Use a vegetable brush. (5) Do not use water to defrost frozen foods; thaw

in the refrigerator overnight. Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading into dishwasher. Wash only full loads. (6) Wash only full loads of laundry or use the appropriate water level or load size selection on the washing machine. (7) Install low-flow faucet aerators and showerheads. (8) Consider purchasing a high-efficiency washing machine, which can save over 50% in laundry water and energy use. (9) Repair all leaks. A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons per day. (10) Detect and repair all leaks in irriga-tion system. (11) Water the lawn or gar-den during the coolest part of the day - early morning is best. Do not water on windy days. (12) Use a soaker hose or trickle irrigation system for trees and shrubs. (13) Use mulch around shrubs and garden plants to reduce evaporation from the soil surface and cut down on weed growth. (14) Remove thatch and aerate turf to encourage movement of water to the root zone.

Our Water in Peril

This graphic shows maps from the global to the local level depicting locations of World Water Day 2012 events (from the World Water Day website, www.unwater.org/worldwaterday).

JULY 2012

The many League members who at-tended the annual meeting really enjoyed Linda Bartmes’ hospitality and outstand-ing garden. Arrangements of flowers from her garden set a warm and welcom-ing tone all over her house. Peach Bellini, wine, and hibiscus herbal tea were some of the colorful and tasty beverages served while everyone chatted and caught up. Linda proved that business meetings do not have to be “all business.”

After dinner and dessert, everyone gath-ered into the living room to get down to business.

Members were pleased with the activities for the last year. The proposed budget passed without many questions.

Joan Kaltsas and Diane Sanderson had spent a lot of time determining sugges-

tions for bylaw changes. Most of the proposed changes were ap-proved. Now all members will be able to vote for all Program submis-sions, instead of only those af-fecting their own community.

After the Nominating Committee presented a slate for the upcoming year, there were nominations from the floor. Jane Partridge and Mary Mathews were re-elected as co-presidents, Cindy More-head as secretary, and Liz Bradner as trea-surer. Ann Grant and M.J. Brady were elected as vice presidents of Voter Service,

and Happie Datt and Tracy Burns were elected as directors for Program. Linda Bartmes continues as LWV-Lake County liaison, and Midge Heurich was re-elect-ed as Lake Michigan LWV liaison. The new Board will be making appointments after July 1.

The meeting adjourned with everyone looking forward to a new and active year.

PAGE 3

Annual Meeting, May 2012

Three months after returning to the States, it seemed from all outside ap-pearances that I was back at the helm as co-chair for programs, but I was and am still working on balancing local and domestic issues and those started in the Republic of Macedonia during my tenure as a Peace Corps Volunteer 2009-2011.

Hosting a consensus meeting on privatization in April, the purpose of which was to identify policies and parameters that should be considered when a governmental body is plan-ning to undertake transfer of services, assets, or functions to the private sector, in order to develop a na-tional position for the forthcoming LWVUS Convention in June 2012, provided the perfect occasion to re-engage.

We had an opportunity to listen to three speakers: Liz Bradner’s experience as the controller in charge of financial require-ments of the different functions that were subcontracted to the private sector at Naval Base Great Lakes; Ann Ham-lin’s experience as the officer in charge of subcontracting advertising services to the private sector at Fort Sheridan; and the nine criteria used by Drew Irwin of Lake Bluff to privatize garbage removal services in that municipality. The presentation was attended by two non-League members and was followed by a light luncheon before discussion.

Feelings ran high about which core governmental services should or should not be privatized - and we discussed policymaking, justice, protection of public health and environment, pub-lic safety and security, education, and quality control, and agreed that not only municipalities such as Lake Bluff that turn to the private sector to provide the same services with their shrinking budgets but the state and federal levels need oversight. The position adopted by the LWVUS Board in June 2012 reflects our consensus; see www.LWV.org/con-tent/privatization-position.

Betty-Ann Moore moder-ated our diverse opinions and served on the subcom-mittee with Marilyn Shine-flug and Diane Sanderson.

Submitted by Happie Datt

Privatization Study

PAGE 4 LEAGUE LINES

LWV Education and Advocacy Highlights for 2011-2012care choices available to women.

Members’ program “Challenges to Repro-ductive Health” at private home. Speaker was Pam Sutherland, VP Planned Parent-hood.

Studies

Participated in two national studies: Role of Federal Government in Public Education, and Privatization.

LMLWVLake Michigan

LMLWV is part of Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. The group opposed a U.S. House of Representatives funding bill cutting Great Lakes programs that clean up toxic pollution, prevent sewage contamina-tion and protect drinking water for more than 30 million people.

Promoted the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to help keep pharmaceuti-cals out of Lake Michigan.

LWV-LAKE COUNTYCriminal Justice

Public Program “False Confessions: Do They Happen? How? Why?” Speakers were Juan Rivera, a wrongly convicted former inmate; Jed Stone, defense attorney; and Rob Warden, from the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University. Co-sponsored by Lake Forest College and AAUW-Waukegan. Program was videotaped and can be seen on LWV-LFLB website.

Voting Rights

Public program about new Voter ID laws and Voter Suppression with ACLU held at Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center. Program was videotaped and can be seen at LWV-LFLB.org.

LWV-ILLINOISCampaign Finance Reform

Sent out ‘Time for Action’ Alerts to oppose SB 3722 which lifted contribution limits. Unfortunately, the law passed.

Criminal Justice

Supported SB 2621, which established a new early release program to ease over-crowding. The law passed.

Health Care

Opposed two bills that were intended to restrict a woman’s right to reproductive choice.

Signed a letter with 70 other organiza-tions to Governor Quinn requesting that he issue an Executive Order to implement the Illinois Marketplace Health Insurance Exchange.

LWV-UNITED STATESClean Air

To hold Senators accountable in Missouri and Massachusetts, sponsored television ad campaign that revealed compromised voting which undercut clean air standards.

Joined with environmental and public advocacy groups to garner over 2.25 million public comments to the EPAs proposed carbon pollution limits for American power plants.

Sent ‘Action Alert’ to members, and urged the Senate to reject Senator Inhofe’s resolu-tion to eliminate EPS’s regulation regarding mercury and air toxics standards.

Health Care

Sent letter to Senate opposing Blunt Amendment which would have curtailed access to contraceptives. Sent ‘Action Alert’ to members.

Filed an amicus brief in support of expand-ing Medicaid.

Campaign Finance Reform

Worked with other good government organizations in petitioning the Obama ad-ministration to address the Federal Elections Commission’s dysfunctional operation.

Spoke out to Congress, the media, and sent ‘Action Alerts’ to members about the new DISCLOSE Act, whihc calls for real time disclosure of secret spending by so-called “independent” groups. Also the LWV Lobby Corps has lobbied Congress several times.

Aired radio ads in Tennessee and Maine, asking those Senators to support efforts to identify sources of millions of dollars going to political campaigns all over the country.

Established a task force to determine steps League can take at various levels to address campaign finance reform.

As you know, when you joined the local League of Women Voters-Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Area, you also became a member of other Leagues in the hierarchy: LWV-Lake County, Lake Michigan LWV, LWV-Illinois, and LWV US.

Below are some of the highlights of the past year’s education and advocacy work. This is by no means a complete list of all activities. There is so much going on!

Often different levels of League work on the same issue, such as lobbying at the national level and grassroots support from the local level. When that happens, the League really can have an impact on public policy. If you would like to be more involved, please contact Jane or Mary, or any League board member.

LWV-LF/LB

Affordable Housing

Members collaborated with other Lake For-est interested parties and spoke with Hous-ing Trust Fund Board members and elected local officials.

Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform

State-of-the-State Legislative Update program where members and the public questioned State Senator Susan Garrett and State Representative Karen May about the budget and other issues. The program was video recorded and can be seen on our website, LWV-LFLB.org.

Campaign Finance Reform

Published in local media, opinion let-ter about unlimited money in election campaigns because of the Citizens United decision.

Climate Change-Water /Clean Air

Public program “Our Water in Crisis.” Speakers were from USEPA, Lake County Health Department, and Lake Forest Open Lands. Co-sponsored by AAUW and Lake Forest Open Lands. Video recorded and available on website.

Published in local media, opinion letter explaining that Clean Air Standards work.

Health Care

Published in local media, opinion letter that public institutions should not limit health

JULY 2012 PAGE 5

Strictly SocialBalance in one’s life ... there are lots of articles about how one needs to balance all the various claims on one’s time, etc. The same goes true for the League. We spend so much time on serious activities, sometimes we forget to have fun. So it is with deep gratitude that we thank Diane Lloyd for returning to Lake Forest and hosting a luncheon on June 28. NO business, just food and friendship. What a great way to relax and rejuvenate. It was a delightful June afternoon.

Summer ParadesWatch for our “float” in the Lake Forest Day Parade on Wednesday, August 1. Feel free to join us! Here are some scenes from the Lake Bluff Fourth of July parade. Many thanks to the volunteers who participated, and to Carol Gilbert for allowing us to use her car! (In case you’re wondering, that’s Co-President Mary Mathews at the wheel, hidden beneath a large white sun hat.)

Flack-Checking Political SleazeBy Joan Ziegler, President, LWV-Wilmette

Kathleen Hall Jamison (LWVUS Convention 2012 speaker) urged the convention to help stop campaigning (radio and TV ads) on irrelevance and misrepresenta-tion and, like the League, focus on the issues. A project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, Flackcheck.org identifies clear‐cut deception and asks stations not to air these (third-party independent) ads.

You can do your part. To begin, urge your broadcast channels to insist on the ac-curacy of third-party ads or refuse to run them, as is their right. Sign up to have emails automatically sent from you every time a deceptive ad runs on a station you watch. Just go to www.flackcheck.org/stations/send‐email‐to‐stations to clean up the airwaves. You also may enjoy Flackcheck’s historical fiction, “Could Lincoln Be Elected Today?” at www.flackcheck.org/lincoln‐campaign.

PAGE 6 LEAGUE LINES

League of Women Voters of the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Area

Board of Directors

OFFICERS

Jane Partridge Co-President

Mary Mathews Co-President

Ann Grant Vice President, Voter Service

M.J. Brady Vice President, Voter Service

Cindy Morehead Secretary

Liz Bradner Treasurer

DIRECTORS

Happie Datt Program

Tracy Burns Program

Stephanie Victor Voter Registration

Linda Bartmes LWVLC Board Liaison

Midge Heurich LMLWV Board Liaison

OFF-BOARD POSITIONS

Carol Gilbert E-Alerts

Nicki Snoblin Webmaster, Newsletter

Diane Sanderson Newsletter

Expansion of Northwestern Lake Forest Hospitalproposal can be viewed at http://www.lfh.org/resources/content/4/2/0/6/docu-ments/NLFH_Campus_Master_Land_Use_Plan_May_2012.pdf.

Some of our specific issues are:

1. Loss of natural wetlands. Banking is not as effective.

2. The footprint of building and parking will increase a potential for flooding. Will some of the surfaces be permeable?

3. The plan is heavily dependent upon

League members have been monitor-ing and commenting on the proposed expansion of Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital. The hospital did agree to a number of changes to their original application. More importantly, the Lake Forest Plan Commission set conditions for the Special Use Permit. One of the main conditions was the appointment of a Technical and Design Advisory Committee. This committee, composed of local citizens, will offer guidance, raise challenges, and represent the com-munity’s interest. Traffic and potential flooding remain as two major concerns. In May, the Plan Commission recom-mended approval of the Special Use Permit to the City Council. In June, the City Council heard the first reading.

The diagram at right shows a tenta-tive version of the site plan. The entire

transportation improvements by IDOT. The proposed improvements are not in IDOT’s 5-year plans. What will be done in the meantime to handle the increase in traffic?

4. The new hospital should be visually compatible with the old hospital and other buildings. The proposed height is out of place in this setting.

5. Will the vistas along 41 and 43 be preserved? Will there be berms to hide the structures?

JULY 2012 PAGE 7

A First-Timer at ConventionI just returned from my very first LWVUS National Convention. It took me fifteen years to get there, but I finally went ... and I am glad I did. My experi-ence at convention was one I will not soon forget. Although I was only able to attend for one day, that day was filled with participating in two caucuses; vot-ing on possible new LWV positions; and hearing addresses by Attorney General Eric Holder on voting rights and by John Zogby, Senior Analyst at JZ Analytics and founder of Zogby Polls, regarding his take on who we are as a nation and what we care about.

If you’ve never been to the LWVUS Na-tional Convention, I’ve got one word for you: “Go.” Go because you will feel more energized about League and the work we do. Go because you are smart and creative and will be surrounded by other smart, creative women who are knowledge-able and passionate about policy and the political process. Go because you will have the opportunity to participate in a group of not all like-minded individu-als, but who are able to keep contentious conversations civil. Go because you will learn how to raise your political voice and be heard. Go because having a voice in government matters.

Submitted by Tracy Burns

National Convention Reportlunch and a workshop on “Social Me-dia: Understanding the Powerful Ways to Engage and Grow Your Community Online.”

Afternoon Plenary discussions were centered on proposed budget and by-laws. The hour-long film “Patriocracy: Civility in Our Democracy” was well received by many delegates. I attended a caucus, “What You can do About Climate Change.”

On Monday, before the start of Plenary there was a session to meet the LWVUS Candidates. Eric Holder, Attorney Gen-eral of the US, was the featured guest speaker and his remarks were aired on national TV stations that same day. There was no Q&A allowed, and his arrival was not known to anybody before his entry and exit.

Tracy Burns was given delegate status by LWVIL President, representing a local League that did not have representation. Thus she was able to vote on the LWVUS Programs that were adopted after debate and discussion. I attended the workshop “Power Tools You Can Use to Power the Vote.”

The LWVUS Banquet address was given by political pollster John Zogby. He presented a very interesting analysis of the presidential election and what he consid-ers key constituencies that will be the target of many third-party political ads.

On the final day of the convention, there were no workshops or caucuses in the morning (yay!). The delegates voted for a small per-member payment (PMP) increase, the new LWVUS Board as proposed. and the budget without any change. Three state Leagues were recog-nized for their new ideas for recruitment

drives. Palm Beach had a very successful “Jump for Vote” (skydiving). Missouri added three new leagues in the state!

After thanks to outgoing Board and new Board president Elisabeth McNamara’s upbeat address, delegates were given an opportunity to give formal “Directives to the LWVUS Board.”

The convention adjourned after the LWVTX invited the delegates to LWVUS Convention 2014 in Dallas.

Submitted by Happie Datt

The LWVUS Convention 2012 was held at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, from 1:00 pm Friday, June 8, until noon Tuesday, June 12, 2012.

Prior to the opening Plenary Session on Saturday afternoon, I attended the caucus “Benefits of Using Vote411 in Election Work” and was impressed by how the LWV St Louis partnered with the St Louis Post for Vote411. Prominent on the Vote411 site the LWV issued a disclaimer to clarify non-partisan stand, as they initiated contact with candidates and their stands on issues and the newspaper absorbed the costs of site. The visibility increased their membership and recruiting efforts by this out-of-the-box approach.

LWVUS President Elisabeth McNamara’s address focused on finishing the fight for suffrage and making democracy safe with vigilance as increasingly states are erecting barriers to voting. Highlighted was the work to actively protect the right to vote in 13 states and oppose voter suppression in 21 states.

That evening we enjoyed a delightful pro-gram by The Capitol Steps. After dinner we returned to caucuses and workshops; I attended a caucus called “Water, Water...Everywhere?”

On Sunday, June 10, workshops and caucuses commenced early. In the Plenary Session we were treated to a special guest, Dr. Kathleen Hall Jamieson, professor at the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania. With the recent Citizens United vs FEC ruling and the expected increase in third-party political ads, the Center had developed a website using parody and humor to debunk false political advertising and hold media accountable. She encouraged the delegates to sign up at flackcheck.org to send emails asking local stations to refuse to air deceptive third-party politi-cal ads; they have the right to refuse to air political ads that are not by the party or the candidate.

The convention broke for a brown-bag

League of Women Voters of the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Area

P.O. Box 645Lake Forest, IL 60045

www.LWV-LFLB.org... check it often!

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“Know Your Government” Award Given to Three StudentsOn May 23, 2012, at the Honors As-sembly, the League of Women Voters of the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Area was pleased to present the “Know Your Government” Award to three students at Deer Path Middle School. The three graduating 8th graders were Allison Banta, Samantha Yang, and Sarah Tram-mell. Each student received a certifi-cate, and their names are engraved on a plaque permanently installed at the school. They earned the award by dem-onstrating an exceptional understand-ing of our democratic system through both classroom participation and performance on the state and/or federal Constitution tests.