Action and Advocacy

League of Women Voters^®
of Chicago

We are truly a grassroots organization...

Constitutional Convention. Death Penalty. Election Laws. Immigration. Land Use/Children's Museum. Voting Rights Act.

The League of Women Voters takes action on an issue or advocates for a cause when there is an existing League position that supports the issue or speaks to the cause.
Positions result from a process of study. Any given study, whether it be National, State, or Local, is thorough in its pursuit of facts and details. As the study progresses, a continuing discussion of pros and cons of each situation occurs. Prior to the results of the study being presented to the general membership, study committee members fashion consensus questions that are then addressed by the membership.
Additional discussion, pro and con, takes place as members (not part of the study committee) learn the scope of the study. After the members reach consensus, the board forms positions based on that consensus.
It is the consensus statement -- the statement resulting from the consensus questions -- that becomes a position. Firm action or advocacy can then be taken on the particular issue addressed by the position. Without a position, action/advocacy cannot be taken.

Constitutional Convention

The question of whether or not to call a constitutional convention will be on the ballot in November 2008.
LWV OF ILLINOIS POSITION ON 2009 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

The League of Women Voters of Illinois opposes holding a constitutional convention at this time. We believe the present constitution is serving the citizens of Illinois and may be changed using the amendatory process where necessary.

A constitutional convention opens the entire constitution to revision with the risk of losing many of the important gains achieved in 1970. It is estimated that the convention would cost at least $78 million, and this money could be put to better use at a time when state resources are limited.

The serious lack of preparation and public information by Illinois government officials on a constitutional convention means that there is insufficient time to educate the public adequately on the complexities of the issues.
REPORT ON MEMBER CONSENSUS PROCESS Twenty-eight League chapters, including the League of Women Voters of Chicago, participated in the consensus process and all areas of the state were represented. The issues most often cited for opposition included:

1. risk of exposing the entire constitution to revision and loss of 1970 gains
2. cost of a convention vs. possible benefits
3. relative success of amendment process
4. concern about special interests in delegate selection & convention
5. concern about entire delegate election process
6. risk of political dysfunction in state government extending to convention
7. presidential election resulting in voters too distracted from con-con issues

Death Penalty

The Chicago League is in favor of the abolishment of the death penalty. This position was recently approved by the national League of Women Voters and is a concurrence with the position of the Illinois League.

Election Laws

The Chicago League has been working with the Illinois League to implement HAVA, (Help American Vote Act). This federal law mandated significant changes in election laws throughout the country including the use of provisional ballots, a statewide voter registration database and new voting machines which can be used by the disabled, provide privacy for the blind and provide backup data. We will be working with the Illinois League to monitor polling places in future elections.

Immigration

LWVUS IMMIGRATION POSITION
Adopted by National Board, March 2008
The League of Women Voters believes that immigration policies should promote reunification of immediate families; meet the economic, business and employment needs of the United States; and be responsive to those facing political persecution or humanitarian crises. Provision should also be made for qualified persons to enter the U.S. on student visas. All persons should receive fair treatment under the law.
The League supports federal immigration law that provides an efficient, expeditious system (with minimal or no backlogs) for legal entry of immigrants into the U.S. To complement these goals the League supports federal policies to improve economies, education, job opportunities, and living conditions in nations with large emigrating populations.
In transition to a reformed system, the League supports provisions for unauthorized immigrants already in the country to earn legal status.
The League supports federal payments to impacted communities to address the financial costs borne by states and local governments with large immigrant populations.
Criteria for Legal Admission to the U.S.
The League supports the following criteria for legal admission of persons into the United States:

Family reunification of spouses or minor children with authorized immigrants or citizens;
Flight from persecution or response to humanitarian crises in home countries;
Economic, business and employment needs in the U.S.;
Education and training needs of the U.S.;
Educational program opportunities; and
Lack of a history of serious criminal activity.

Administration and Enforcement
The League supports due process for all persons, including the right to a fair hearing, right to counsel, right of appeal and right to humane treatment.
The League supports:

Improved technology to facilitate employer verification of employee status;
Verification documents, such as status cards and work permits, with secure identifiers;
Significant fines and penalties for employers who hire unauthorized workers;
Improved technology for sharing information among federal agencies;
More effective tracking of individuals who enter the United States; and
Increased personnel at borders.

The League also supports programs allowing foreign workers to enter and leave the U.S. to meet seasonal or sporadic labor needs.
Unauthorized Immigrants Already in the U.S.
In achieving overall policy goals, the League supports a system for unauthorized immigrants already in the country to earn legal status, including citizenship, by paying taxes, learning English, studying civics and meeting other relevant criteria. While policy reforms, including a path to legal status, remain unachieved, the League does not support deporting unauthorized immigrants who have no history of criminal activity.

Land Use/Children's Museum

LAKEFRONT LAND USE: The lakefront should be used for public recreation only, consistent with and enhancing its natural beauty. The planning guidelines should follow the concept of linear park development (the 1968 city council commissioned Johnson, Johnson & Roy Report), ensuring adequate pedestrian access to the parks and lakefront and leaving the lakefront free of obstacles such as buildings and roads. (1970)
The League opposes an airport in Lake Michigan.
PARKS: The parks should be used for public recreation only, consistent with and enhancing their aesthtic quality. Buildings should be kept to a minimum. Funds should be distributed equitably for maintenance and development of parks throughout the city. (1973)

The League of Women Voters of Chicago has made a statement to the Chicago Plan Commission opposing the proposed construction of a new CHILDREN'S MUSEUM Facility in Grant Park. We base this decision on our position of Land Use.

We have joined in coalition with "Save the Park" in opposition to the construction of the Children's Museum in Grant Park. We are concerned about the use of park land by a private institution. Environmental concerns and the possibility of more restaurant and liquor licenses are contributing factors.

Statement to Chicago Plan Commission May 15, 2008

Voting Rights Act

The Chicago League actively supported the recent re-authorization of the Voting Rights Act without changes. Thanks to all who worked on this issue with us.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: July 14, 2008 07:24 PDT.