Issues
Our Positions
The League of Women Voters of Champaign County (LWVCC) has positions on many issues of political import in the broad areas of human resources, natural resources, local government and the judicial system. Our 2016 - 2021 program positions are on the Our Positions page or downloadable as a pdf. To support these positions, we host public forums throughout the year with the aim of bringing useful, timely information to the community and sponsor other activities.
Fair Tax
The Fair Tax amendment reforms the state constitution to eliminate the requirement that Illinois tax income at a single rate, allowing instead for higher rates for higher incomes and lower rates for people with low and moderate incomes. The League of Women Voters strongly supports the Fair Tax amendment. The League has joined Vote Yes for Fair Tax and man other organizations in working toward the passage of the Amendment, which will be the first thing Illinois voters see on their ballots in November. For details on what it means and how you can help, see the Fair Tax for Illinois page.
Criminal Justice Study
The League of Women Voters of Champaign County (LWVCC) is participating in an update by the Criminal Justice Position of the League of Women Voters of Illinois (LWVIL). The state committee is proposing consensus questions in fourteen sections which deal with: impoverished communities, bias, gender issues, the need for data collection and transparency, criminal justice coordinating councils, policing and more.
Locally, a group of League and community members in Champaign County will review the current Criminal Justice position and work with materials and questions sent from the state committee. The responsibilities of the local team are to: keep our membership informed, respond to consensus questions, serve as presenters/facilitators for the consensus discussion, and share its results with the state so that a final position can be crafted.
See more details on the state and local updates on the Criminal Justice Study Update page.
Locally, a group of League and community members in Champaign County will review the current Criminal Justice position and work with materials and questions sent from the state committee. The responsibilities of the local team are to: keep our membership informed, respond to consensus questions, serve as presenters/facilitators for the consensus discussion, and share its results with the state so that a final position can be crafted.
See more details on the state and local updates on the Criminal Justice Study Update page.
Observer Corps
League Observers are the eyes and ears of the League. By attending meetings of governmental boards and commissions. the League of Women Voters tries to send a representative to every public board meeting in the county. We find that public involvement in our public institutions is an important part of making democracy work. We want to know what our governing officials are up to!
With advent of the need to maintain social distance, many of these meetings are being held online. Observers learn how government works and about issues that are or may become items for local study and action. They advise the LWVCC board of opportunities for action on League positions. Consistent League presence at these boards can add to the League's visibility and credibility and build relationships with local officials. League observing promotes transparent and responsive government in the community.
See the current list of observers and boards for which we need observers by going to this Observer Corps page. If you'd like more information, or you are interested in becoming a League observer, send a note to info@lwvchampaigncounty.org (with Observer Corps in the subject line).
With advent of the need to maintain social distance, many of these meetings are being held online. Observers learn how government works and about issues that are or may become items for local study and action. They advise the LWVCC board of opportunities for action on League positions. Consistent League presence at these boards can add to the League's visibility and credibility and build relationships with local officials. League observing promotes transparent and responsive government in the community.
See the current list of observers and boards for which we need observers by going to this Observer Corps page. If you'd like more information, or you are interested in becoming a League observer, send a note to info@lwvchampaigncounty.org (with Observer Corps in the subject line).
Public Presentations
The League of Women Voters of Champaign County sponsors informational public programs with guest speakers. Topics presented so far in 2019 - 2020 include: Census 101; Census 2020 Forum; Guns and Society; Ranked Choice Voting and Our Community and Covid-19.
Most League program are now being offered online, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Watch the Home page and Calendar for announcements and details for specific programs. And, if you miss a presentation, it may be recorded on the League's YouTube channel. League members receive information on attending shortly before each event. The public is invited to contact the person listed in the League calendar to request an invitation.
Most League program are now being offered online, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Watch the Home page and Calendar for announcements and details for specific programs. And, if you miss a presentation, it may be recorded on the League's YouTube channel. League members receive information on attending shortly before each event. The public is invited to contact the person listed in the League calendar to request an invitation.
Action Alerts (Illinois League of Women Voters)
A major part of the League's mission is to influx public policy through education and advocacy. Member involvement is vital to the League's work. League members rely on Issue Specialists following specific bills and legislative activity in Springfield. When a specialist sees that members should be involved, an action request is sent out as a TFA (Time for Action). The TFA contains the bill number and title; Issue Specialist and Issues VP contact information; the action that needs to be taken; and background on League’s position. This is a vital part of being informed and active members of our democracy. For more information, visit the Illinois Take Action page. Or go to their Grassroots Advocates page to sign up for the League to alert you when key decisions are pending on the issues you care about.