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

NOVEMBER 2010 League Lines

me talking about affordable housing, or the recent candi-date forums. Thanks to Nicki Snoblin for this up-to-date presence online.

I hope all of you will attend the November 9 meeting with our state legislators, when we will focus on the state financial situation and other major concerns.

Also, mark your calendar for Friday, December 3, for

our annual luncheon and review with Barbara Rinella. It’s also a good chance to bring a guest to an entertaining League event.

Thank you to those of you who have returned your interest question-naires. We have looked them over and plan to meet with those of you who have a common in-

terest. And always, feel free to call me if you have any ideas or concerns.

I thank Mary Mathews and all the rest of you who have helped to accomplish our efforts!

—Jane Partridge, President

We have been reflecting on the history of LWV lately in light of the League’s 90th anniversary. On September 29, we held a "Birthday Bash," celebrating the ef-forts of the women who brought the League into existence. See page 2 for a recap of this enjoyable eve-ning.

Our other recent activities have focused on education and action. As evidenced by the large turnout, our communities continue to value the League for its voter education, espe-cially for our candidate forums. Both of our recent forums attracted overflow crowds.

Because of the Recall Amendment on the No-vember 2 ballot, and with redistricting ap-proaching, this fall we joined forces with the High-land Park League, to educate ourselves and the commu-nity on these important statewide issues. Look for other articles on recall and redistricting, both very im-portant issues, in this news-

letter (pages 4 and 5).

I have made major efforts on behalf of the Settlers Green affordable housing project that came before the Lake Forest City Council (see page 5). LWV-LF/LB supports affordable housing, and we need all of you to be actively on board. Many thanks to Kitty Cole for chairing and to all who turned out for the Lake For-est City Council meeting.

Ninety years ago the League did not have the Internet, but we do now. To see the current issues our local league is engaged in, visit our website (lwv-lflb.org) and click on Issues. Also see the videos; you may watch

Letter from the President

Call to Convention

• The 55th LWVIL Con-

vention is scheduled for

June 10-12, 2011 in

Skokie, Illinois.

Inside this issue:

History 2

Birthday Bash 2

Candidate Forum 3

IL Financial Crisis 3

Redistricting 4

Affordable Housing 5

Recall Amendment 5

LMLWV Report 6

Membership Form 7

Save the Date

• “Illinois’ Financial

Crisis,” November 9,

7:00 p.m.

Gorton Community

Center, 400 E. Illinois

Rd., Lake Forest

PAGE 2 LEAGUE LINES

On February 14, 1920, six months before the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, delegates from the National American Woman Suffrage Association met for a victory convention in Chi-cago. The realization of votes for women marked the end of the suf-frage conventions. However, that convention was the official begin-ning of the League of Women Vot-ers. Carrie Chapman Catt, in her convention address, proposed the formation of the League.

Six years later, Mrs. Frank Hixon organized the LWV of Lake Forest, and two years later, Gertrude

Northcott and her friends invited Mrs. Hixon to speak to their group in Lake Bluff. One of their earliest meetings was a candidate forum.

Some of the issues our predecessors supported were the merit system in civil service for all branches of gov-ernment, the elimination of legal discrimination against women, fed-eral suffrage in the District of Co-lumbia, the welfare of children, and a shorter ballot for the state of Illi-nois.

It is interesting that 90 years after the League was formed we are still fighting various forms of discrimi-

nation against women. Of the 192 nations that have ratified CEDAW, the U.S. is the only developed coun-try not to do so, and Illinois is one of the states blocking it. (CEDAW is the international treaty to replace the Equal Rights Amendment; it stands for the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.) Our forebears worked on issues and helped to make law. Today we are still chal-lenged to act upon public policy vigorously to make democracy work at all levels.

—Jane Partridge

90 Years of League History

a birthday cake with sparklers (see page 1). OK, so we were feel-ing pretty youthful and enthusiastic. Un-fortunately, Mary Ritter and Susan Garrett both wore leg braces from re-cent injuries and were not able to

move around as much as they might have wanted.

Jane Partridge provided a history of the League's activities and drew parallels to events in U.S. history during the same time period. Carol Gilbert, Ann Grant, Tracy Burns, Lisa Dietrich, and Mary Ritter read their parts while Jane

Our Membership Committee was in full swing and started our year off with a great party! The Birthday Bash on September 29th celebrated the national League's 90th birthday and also our local League's 85th birthday. Tracy Burns opened her lovely home (hid the cat and dog) and served champagne and choco-late—what more could anyone ask for! There were other treats, such as

directed. Their elabo-rate period clothes brought the timeline to life and added quite a bit of color. Members and guests were inspired in learning how the organization and the country influenced each other.

Many thanks go to Mary Ritter and

Tracy Burns and everyone else who helped with this party. It was a great success.

For the few of you who still have not paid your dues, the opportunity to be included in this year’s Mem-bership Directory is ending shortly. Please send your check promptly.

Birthday Bash a Successful Membership Event

Phyllis Albrecht, Suzanne Henderson, and Tina O’Connor with Tracy Burns, arrayed as a

young woman of the 1970’s for the skit.

Carol Gilbert makes a perfect flapper!

PAGE 3

financial crisis. LWV-LF/LB has reserved the Green Room at the Gorton Community Center for 7:00 p.m. on November 9, and State Senator Susan Garrett has agreed to meet with us to address the State budget crisis. Mark your calendar and come with a friend. League members are known for asking

November 9, 2010, 7:00 p.m. Gorton Community Center 400 E. Illinois Rd., Lake Forest

Even though the election is over, civic participation is not. The League of Women Voters is already thinking ahead to the next legisla-tive session and is looking for infor-mation and answers about Illinois’

compelling questions, and Senator Garrett, who is a past local League President herself, is particularly straightforward about the state of the State. Senator Garrett will speak primarily about the State’s finances but will also address other concerns raised that evening.

LWV-LF/LB Program: “Illinois’ Financial Crisis”

Candidate forums require experi-enced, sharp League members work-ing together in a variety of capaci-ties. Candidates agree to participate in League-sponsored forums because we consistently provide a fair venue for them to share their platform.

Our League helped sponsor candi-date forums on September 22 at Glenbrook South High School in Glenview and at the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Senior Center on Sep-tember 30.

The forum in Glenview, co-sponsored by our League and the Highland Park, Glencoe, Glenview, and other leagues in the 10th Dis-

trict, featured candi-dates for the 10th Con-gressional District, Robert Dold and Dan Seals. More than 1000 people attended.

The forum in Lake For-est included candidates running for State Rep-resentative in the 58th and 59th Districts, Lake County Board District 23, Lake County Superintendent of Schools, Lake County Clerk, Lake County Sheriff, and Lake County Treasurer. Approximately 150 people attended the forum in Lake Forest. Jane Par-tridge welcomed the attendees and Joan Kaltsas served as the modera-tor for the 58th District.

Videos of the forums and bios of the candidates are available on our League’s own website, lwv-lflb.org.

Thanks to all who volunteered and attended the forums. We appreciate the part you played in their success. Someone mentioned to us that they thought the candidate forums are the most important service the

League gives to the community. We think you will all agree that our 90-year-old organization can be proud of the work we do to promote voter information.

—Ann Hamlin and Ann Grant, Voter Service Chairs

Candidate Forums Attract Overflow Crowds

Candidates for the 10th Congressional seat Robert Dold and Dan Seals seemed miles apart during

their debate in Glenview.

Carlton Marcyan and Anne Bassi for Lake County Board District 23.

Lauren Turelli and Karen May for State Representative in the 58th District.

PAGE 4 LEAGUE LINES

Annual Holiday Luncheon December 3, 10:00 a.m.

The Grille on Laurel

LWV-LF/LB Area’s annual holiday get-together will be on Friday, De-cember 3, at the Grille on Laurel. This time Barbara Rinella will give two dramatic presentations. The event begins at 10 a.m.; coffee will be served during the program, fol-lowed by a limited-menu luncheon. Lake Forest Bookstore will bring a selection of gift books as well as Barbara's recommendations, so plan to do your holiday shopping, too. Invitations will arrive by mail.

It is easy to support the League with this traditional and entertaining community event!

The U.S. and Cuba March 3, 2011, 7:00 p.m.

LF/LB Senior Center

Professor Alberto Coll, from the College of Law at DePaul Univer-sity, will speak to our League about the United States’ relationship with Cuba.

Professor Coll is the recipient of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Out-standing Public Service for his work as deputy assistant secretary of de-

fense (1990-1993) and the Antonio Jose Irisarri Medal (2004) for his contribution to strengthening the rule of law and civilian control over the military in Guatemala. He au-thored The Wisdom of Statecraft and is the editor of several other books on international relations and law. Professor Coll teaches courses in the areas of international law, hu-man rights, international trade, and Latin America.

Save the Dates!

We and the LWV of Highland Park invited Mary Scharfsma from the LWVIL office to come and share with us the redistricting problems and possibilities for reform. She emphasizes the importance of changing the method for redistrict-ing as it is now done.

Redistricting should not be partisan, although the winning party has his-torically determined the districts. At present, returning incumbents win 98% of the time, which puts

Redistricting is coming. LWVIL is interested in an improved process that will ensure the fairest represen-tation for the citizens of the state.

It is predicted that, due to the most recent census, Illinois will lose at least one, or maybe two, seats in the House of Representatives. Regard-less of the number of seats, popula-tions have shifted internally in the state and district boundaries are scheduled to be redrawn, as they are after every census.

too much power in the hands of legislative leaders. Poor redistricting practices result in a lack of competi-tion and voter choice, and often communities are split. Less tangible, but real, effects include greater pos-sibilities for public corruption and government gridlock.

Join us and the LWVIL in support-ing an improved process that will guide the redistricting in 2011.

LWVIL Talks About Redistricting

Did you see us in the Lake Forest Day

parade in August? That’s Jane Partridge

in the car, with a couple of exuberant

young volunteer banner-carriers.

PAGE 5

The LF/LB League has actively sup-ported local affordable senior hous-ing for the past eight years. Our League last spring at the Annual Meeting voted to support affordable housing for others as well as for seniors. Consistent with our goals, Lake Forest has an ordinance stat-ing all new construction should provide 10% of units for seniors or that percentage in money should be set aside for senior affordable hous-ing. In addition, Illinois state law requires every town of a certain size to provide affordable housing.

Currently available rentals in Lake Forest have dwindled to far below

their historic levels. The Housing Trust, recognizing this critical need, developed the Settlers Green project for 16 mixed affordable townhouses across from the train station at Tele-graph and Everett Roads. This very real opportunity for affordable housing in Lake Forest is at risk. At its October 18th meeting, the City Council directed the Housing Trust to go back and study the project further for financial concerns and for indicating a certain percentage for seniors.

Our backing for this project is criti-cal. We need to act in a timely man-ner because the builder is eligible to

get tax credits at a time when pri-vate financing for new building is almost nonexistent and the need is urgent.

We will continue to follow and ac-tively support the Settlers Green project. The efforts of Kitty Cole, chair, and the members of our Af-fordable Housing Committee are laudable, but the project has not yet been approved by the City Council. It is not too late for those who are interested to call Kitty Cole (847-735-0418) or Jane Partridge (847-234-1247) to help make affordable housing a reality in Lake Forest.

Affordable Housing

From defining the process to deter-mining the financial and political implications, the LWVIL thought-fully analyzed what the recall amendment on the November 2 ballot would mean for Illinois. Al-though the election has passed, their findings are summarized here for our members’ information.

Recall is the process whereby voters can remove and replace an elected official before the end of his or her term of office. The amendment in Illinois would allow recall of only the Governor.

The process would require the fol-lowing:

• Any proponent of recall may file an affidavit with the Illinois State Board of Elections during the first 6 months of a Governor’s term of office.

• The affidavit must be signed by at least 10 members of the Illinois House. No more than 50% of the signatures in each chamber can be from members of the same political party.

• Petitions must be signed by at least 15% of the total votes cast for Governor in the preceding general election.

• About 525,000 signatures must be collected (100 or more from each of at least 25 of Illinois’ 102 coun-ties) and submitted to the State Board of Elections for certifica-tion within 150 days.

If the State Board, within 100 days, determines the signatures are suffi-cient, it will call for a special elec-tion for voters to decide on recall.

If the recall is successful, the Gover-nor is immediately removed from office and an acting Governor is appointed. Another election is

held—within 60 days of the recall election—to elect a successor Gover-nor, who holds office until the next election for Governor.

The recall process could take up to 13 months. The cost, estimated by the State Board, for both elections would be $101 million.

Eighteen other states permit recalls, not just for the Governor. Few gu-bernatorial recall attempts have been successful. Prior to the 2003 recall of California Governor Gray Davis, the only other successful recall was of North Dakota Gover-nor Lynn Frazier in 1921. Califor-nia voters have initiated 32 guberna-torial recall attempts since 1911, but the 2003 recall of Governor Davis was the first to reach the ballot.

Further information is available at www.lwvil.org.

Background on the Recall Amendment

states, to include the following:

• Educate the public and the Lake Michigan Leagues on the prob-lems of Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes

• Encourage public participation in planning for the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes

• Support scientific research for the Great Lakes

• Encourage shoreline management planning and implementation

State reports were given by repre-sentatives from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin (which will be further highlighted in the next issue of SPLASH, the newslet-ter of the LMLWV; watch for it at www.lmlwv.org).

Directions were given to the Board regarding CAFOs, genetically al-tered plants and animals, future infrastructure development within the Lake Michigan Watershed, and emphasizing pre-European settle-ment and history within the Lake

The 2010 Annual Meeting of the LMLWV was held on October 9, 2010 at Manitowoc, Wisconsin and was attended on behalf of LWV-LF/LB by Robbyn Kilbane-McFadden.

LMLWV has found a supporter in Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels, who spoke to the convened group prior to the business meeting on Saturday morning. Of particular interest is the fact that he has started a Mayor's Youth Action Council for the purpose of engaging his community in advocacy for Lake Michigan.

Judy Johnston, who many of you have known from our League and the Lake County League, is the newly elected President of LMLWV.

The 2010-2011 Program of the LMLWV will be based on the na-tional resources positions of the LWVUS as they relate to the envi-ronmental issues affecting the Lake Michigan Basin and surrounding

Michigan Watershed and shoreline areas (Native American activity) as part of LMLWV's educational ac-tivities.

In her closing remarks, President Judy Johnston encouraged all mem-bers to participate and be visible in their activism concerning Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes.

A lunchtime speaker, Jim Knickel-bine, from the Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Reserve in Twin Rivers, Wisconsin, made a wonder-ful presentation that walked us through life at the Dunes. With photos and words he showed the complexity of the wildlife and envi-ronment residing within the Re-serve and how interrelated it is with the health and balance of Lake Michigan.

The festivities concluded with the opportunity to go to the Woodland Dunes Reserve for a tour and walk with Mr. Knickelbine.

—Robbyn Kilbane-McFadden

Report on Lake Michigan LWV Annual Meeting

PAGE 6 LEAGUE LINES

Want to be kept up to date with timely, catchy, brief, and pertinent news? Watch your e-mail inbox for the LWV NewsBriefs.

Don’t want to wait for information to come to you? Check out what is

Have you been getting our LWV-LF/LB NewsBriefs in your e-mail inbox? Did you see our new e-mail format starting October 20? If not, let us know your current e-mail address so we can add you to the list.

happening anytime at www.lwv-lflb.org. Be sure to check out the videos of recent forums, as well as President Jane Partridge being inter-viewed for Chicago Tonight!

LWV-LF/LB NewsBriefs by E-mail

PAGE 7

P.O. Box 645 Lake Forest, IL 60045

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

Jane Partridge President Ann Hamlin Vice President, Voter Service Ann Grant Vice President, Voter Service Tracy Burns Vice President, Membership Mary Ritter Vice President, Membership Marilyn Shineflug Secretary Liz Bradner Treasurer Lisa Dietrich Program Cindy Morehead Program Linda Bartmes LWVLC Board Liaison Carol Gilbert Communication Jan Schnobrich Voter Registration Robbyn Kilbane-McFadden LMLWV Board Liaison

Off-Board Positions Nicki Snoblin Webmaster Staff Bev Adamczyk Newsletter Nicki Snoblin Newsletter

LWV-LF/LB Board of Directors

Always at your fingertips!

Want to share the local League with a friend?

Share our website: www.LWV-LFLB.org

Dates to Remember

November 2 Election Day November 8 LWV-LF/LB Board Meeting 1:30 p.m., Lake Forest Bank November 9 Program: “Illinois’ Financial Crisis” 7:00 p.m., Gorton Community Center December 3 Holiday Luncheon, Grille on Laurel

What are these women doing? See page 2!