Issues

​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.

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LWVCC ​County Governance Study

History of the study - Since 2010, citizens of Champaign County have been presented with several referenda concerning county government, some of which asked whether some county officers, traditionally elected, should be appointed and the functions of the office assigned to other offices. (Recorder of Deeds, Auditor, Coroner). In 2016, citizens were asked whether the structure of county board governance should be changed from a county board chair elected from amongst the county board members to another structure permitted by statute.
 
Why LWVCC got involved - The League of Women Voters of Champaign County did not take a position recommending a yes or no vote on these referenda because we had neither studied the pertinent issues nor formally adopted a League position based on study. In 2021, the League membership voted to pursue a study with the goal of adopting, then acting upon, positions concerning effective governance of Champaign County.

Internal LWVCC vote will take place - The study has been completed and the members will vote upon the following:

1. Whether the offices of elected Auditor and Coroner should be abolished and the duties assigned to other offices;
2. Of the statutorily allowed forms for county board, what is the most effective; and
3. How many members should the county board have in order to operate most effectively.

 
 LWVCC recommendations we will vote on -  A Task Force of League and community members was formed and has issued a report. The recommendations of the Task Force are:

1. The office of elected Auditor should be abolished, the duties of that office to be assigned by the county board. The elected office of Coroner should be retained.
2. The most effective form of governance for Champaign County is the county-wide elected board chair. The current form of elected executive is not structured to provide the necessary leadership of the county board, and the possibility of home rule for the county is not an advantage such that the elected executive form is superior to the county-wide elected board chair.
3. The issue of the number of county board members should be studied by the League before the next mandatory redistricting in 2030.

 
Action -  In September 2022, LWVCC will discuss and adopt its position on the report's recommendation.  The Task Force’s Report and any follow up information is available on the LWVCC website at the County Governance page. 

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Misinformation About Elections: Task Force

LWVCC members who are concerned about the misinformation, distortions and confusion bombarding us in social media and on the internet, as well as in traditional media, have formed a task force to plan effective responses.  The  task force seeks bolster confidence in the democratic process by getting the facts out and educating the community about voting and elections. The goal will be to share accurate information widely, ideally before misinformation can take hold. ​ See the Misinformation About Elections page for more information about this team, their actions and the resources they have prepared. 

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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. 
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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). 

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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.  

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