What's New

League of Women Voters^®
of Naperville

What's currently going on in the league.

Campaign Finance Reform Update. Current Voter. Democracy in Action Award Nominations. Ethics Roundtables. Humanities Service Award. 2010 Election Info. Voter Registration Info. Health Care.

ONE STEP ON THE ROAD TO REFORM

A Campaign Finance Reform Bill, SB1466, passed on the last day of the Fall Veto Session, October 30th. The gains in the legislation include:

Limits on money coming into the political system.

- There are limits for individuals, corporations, unions and associations, and PACs for the primary and general elections

There are limits for political party and legislative caucus committees during primary elections

A framework for better disclosure and enforcement.

- Contributions of $1000 or more must be reported electronically within 5 days
- More detailed quarterly (rather than semi-annual) reports from campaign committees of contributions and expenditures
- Random audits conducted by State Board of Elections to ensure compliance with the laws
- Enhanced penalties for violation of the law's provisions

There has been a lot of criticism because the political party and legislative caucus committees are not limited in the money that they can transfer to candidates in the general election. However, having limits in the primary is an important step. It will encourage more people to challenge an incumbent or party-backed candidate and help level the playing field for challengers.
This is the first time that there are any limits in Illinois of money that can be used to fuel political campaigns. LWVIL has been working on campaign finance reform and to get limits on contributions since 1995. It took countless hours of negotiations between Change Illinois and the Democratic Leadership to come to an agreement with contribution limits and improved disclosure and enforcement. We will continue to work for limits on the political party and legislative caucus committees in the future.
To see the Change Illinois Press Release Click Here
For a chart comparing the failed HB 7 with SB 1466, Click Here

To view either of these documents, you need Adobe Acrobat Reader

Current Voter

November 2009 Voter
For past voters see our voter archive
To view the Voter you need Adobe Acrobat Reader

Nominations for the Democracy in Action Award are Open

Eligibility:
Individuals or groups nominated for the Democracy in Action Award will have been instrumental in an activity such as one of the following:

Creating a forum for information -gathering on a public issue of significance to the Naperville area community
Facilitating and encouraging civic participation through voter registration or some other initiative
Providing balanced education opportunities to further informed decision-making
Instituting processes that welcome citizens' involvement and input
Creating an inclusive climate that encourages civil discourse on public matters

Selection Process:
The League solicits nominations from residents in the Naperville area. A review committee composed of League members, and others from time to time, will evaluate the nominations and select the recipient.
For a Nomination Form click here

To view the form you need Adobe Acrobat Reader

Deadline for Nominations is April 2, 2010

For more information about the award click here

Roundtable Disscussion on Ethics in Government

Over the next year, the League of Women Voters of Naperville will be hosting a series of discussions/roundtables on the topic of "Ethics."
The first roundtable will feature representatives from the State of Illinois Office of the Executive Inspector General (OEIG). The speakers are James Wright, Executive Inspector General, and James Bonk, Chief of Investigations. The OEIG acts as an independent agency whose function is to investigate fraud and abuse in State government under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Governor.
The second rountable will be held on November 18 at 7:30pm, DuPage County District 5 County Board members Jim Healy and Tony Michellassi will address the topic of ethics in the county. Discussion will focus on the proposed revisions to the County's ethics ordinance, the impact of sunshine laws and how the new transparency committee is working.
You can review the proposed changes and the complete ordinance at Proposed Changes. To view the changes requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Check the LWVN Calendar for information about meeting times and locations for this project as they become available.
For more information or to get involved, contact the League: EthicsStudy1@naperville.il.lwv.org
From The Daily Herald, July 29: Ethical treatment By Robert Sanchez bsanchez@dailyherald.com
"Critics say proposed revisions to the DuPage County Election Commission's ethics rules don't go far enough. .... [The draft of the proposed amendments will be posted on the commission's Web site so it can be reviewed by the public. "
Check out the letter to the editor on ethics reform at the Dupage County Election Commission

STUD TERKEL HUMANITIES SERVICE AWARD

The winner of this year's Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award, awarded by the Illinois Humanities Council, for the city of Naperville was Stephanie Downs Hughes, a longtime member of and leader within the Naperville League of Women Voters. The mayor's office proudly submitted her nomination to the Humanities Council.
Stephanie and her husband, Duncan, have hosted Diversity Dinners for members of the community for several years. These dinners, which are planned and hosted by members of each dinner group, provide opportunities for those from different cultures/perspectives to enjoy one another's company while breaking bread together, generating friendships and creating greater understanding. In addition to Diversity Dinners, Duncan and Stephanie host Just Views once a month during which a provocative film is shown, with great discussions following. Once again, an effort to build awareness and understanding of various issues within our society.
Stephanie's award will be presented to her by Mayor Pradel at a future date. She will be receiving a beautifully engraved and personalized bronze medal at that time. She will also be honored at a reception in the fall of 2010 in either Springfield or Chicago

2010 Primary Election Information

For information on the 2010 General Primary Election click here

Illinois Voter Registration System - Up and Running!

The Illinois Voter Registration System (IVRS) has now been updated with information from all local election authorities in Illinois. There is a public access component allowing you to check your own voter registration. Go to the Illinois State Board of Elections website and click on "Am I Registered to Vote in Illinois" under the "What's New" heading on the left side of the page.
Check to See if Your Voter Registration Status is Correct

LWVUS Press Release

From The League of Women Voters of the United States
August 19, 2009
PUBLIC OPTION IS ESSENTIAL TO HEALTH REFORM League Urges Congress and President to Continue Support for Public Option

Washington, DC + "The public option in health care reform may not be essential to bureaucrats or insurance companies but it absolutely is essential to the almost 47 million uninsured Americans who live day to day without health care coverage," said League of Women Voters National President Mary G. Wilson. Calling on Congress and the President not to succumb to the bullying tactics being used by special interest groups, Wilson urged Congress and the President not to waver in their support of the public option included in H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, recently passed by three House committees.

America is facing a health care crisis caused by a combination of skyrocketing costs and an insurance system that leaves millions of Americans without any coverage. "The current health care system is endangering our economy, our health, and our national security," Wilson said. "Last fall, voters elected a Congress and President that promised to reform our heath care system. Voters made it clear that they want a change in our health care system, a change that puts the brakes on the excesses created by a system dominated by large insurance companies," she continued.

"It is universal coverage that will determine the humanity of our system and a public option will make that possible for Americans who cannot obtain coverage through the traditional employer-sponsored plans," noted Wilson. "We believe that health care reform legislation must guarantee access to comprehensive and essential benefits to all U.S. residents."

"But the possibility of universal coverage is not the only advantage of the public option," warned Wilson. "We must control costs and the public option is the best chance to bring costs into line with reality. As a nation, we are spending $1 out of every $6 we earn on health care. Over the last three decades, increases in the amount we spend on health care have consistently risen faster than wages and inflation. Health care reform must provide effective cost controls, equitable distribution of services and allow for efficient and economical delivery of care. Offering everyone the choice of a government administered health insurance plan like Medicare that would compete with private health insurance plans is key to lowering costs."

"The public option is critical to health care reform," Wilson concluded. "Now is not the time for politicians to get cold feet just because a handful of special-interest-backed protesters spread lies and make noise at public forums. Congress and the President need to demonstrate real leadership and move forward with true health care reform."

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: November 17, 2009 09:56 PST.