LOCAL ISSUES AND ADVOCACY

The League of Women Voters of Champaign County is a nonpartisan, grassroots political organization that encourages partcipation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. We study and advocate for issues of concern to our members and the local community. 

T​he LWVCC has taken positions in the areas of human resources, natural resources, local government, and the judicial system. A summary of our positions is provided here, and a full description is available to download. To support these positions, we host public forums and sponsor programs throughout the year to provide useful, timely information to members and the community. Watch the LWVCC Calendar and/or home page for program announcements. 

Human
​Resources

Promote equality of opportunity for all persons in Champaign County

We promote and support:

• Responsible and effective human relations commissions 
• Local school districts in the maintenance of appropriate facilities and in the development of programs that enhance the quality of education for all students
• Accountability, transparency, and equity in the use of public funds for education
• Effective library service for all county residents
• Public health services, behavioral services (including mental health and substance use services), and services for the treatment of developmental disabilities
• Public understanding of the need to invest in programs that promote the welfare of children
• Programs and policies to prevent or reduce poverty and to promote self-sufficiency for individuals and families

Natural
​Resources

Promote an environment beneficial to all life through the protection and wise management of natural resources, for present and future generations

In the area of resource management, we promote and support:

• Long-range planning of natural resources protection by local governments, businesses, and industrial entities 
• Water resource conservation programs, policies, and projects
• The wise use of energy resources sources, emphasizing energy conservation and exploration of sustainable energy technologies 
• Land-use planning that emphasizes conservation and protection of natural resources, historic and cultural sites, wildlife habitat, and significant geological sites
• Continued improvements in park and recreation administration, financing, programs, and facilities

In the area of environmental protection, we promote and support:

• Measures to reduce pollution, especially CO2 emissions, through both enforcement and incentives 
• Policies that ensure safe treatment, transport, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste
• Measures to encourage reuse and recycling of appropriate waste materials
• Public education of county-wide environmental issues and public participation in relevant decision-making

Local Government

Encourage local government entities to seek out, recognize, and endeavor to meet the needs of all members of the community

To promote quality and responsiveness of local government, we encourage:

• Elected officials to be accessible to all citizens
• Meetings of local government to be open and accessible to the public
• Public participation to be included as an agenda item at all public meetings
• Public hearings as an integral and well-published component of all planning processes
• The creation of neighborhood associations as a vehicle for expanding citizen involvement in local government
• Local governments to develop comprehensive and easy to use technology for public communication
• In Champaign County, the elimination of the county auditor position, retention of an elected county coroner, and return to election of the county board chair

We also encourage intergovernmental cooperation and the elimination or consolidation of services to reduce cost and make delivery of public services more efficient and accessible. 

Judicial
​System

Support initiatives to maintain and improve the judicial system in Champaign County

We promote and support:

• Courthouse facilities that meet Illinois Supreme Court standards, adequate security for the courthouse and individual courtrooms, and special and safe accommodations for children involved in judicial proceedings 
• Correctional and detention facility programs that meet state standards, including the screening and care of mentally ill detainees
• Adequate funding and support for problem-solving courts 
• Equal access to the judicial system for all individuals
• Participation in the jury selection process by all eligible citizens 
• Exploration and utilization of alternatives to imprisonment as warranted and the elimination of mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses
• Equity in the juvenile justice system

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Past Issues

​County Governance Study:  In August 2022, after a period of study and discussion, the LWVCC completed a Consensus Study related to County governance and has recently presented information on the issue for the 2024 General Election Referendum. 

• LWVCC discussion meeting, September 7, 2022  Watch the video on YouTube. 
•  Final Task Force Report

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