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More Convention 2013 Highlights Coming SoonCONVENTION 2013
Thanks to all the members and guests who helped make our 56th Biennial Convention a success!
Over 140 members from 36 local Leagues gathered from June 6-9 at the Carol A. Reitan Conference Center in Bloomington-Normal. They met to discuss and vote on the League's activities and priorities for the next two years. Attendees also took the opportunity to celebrate 100 years of women voting in Illinois. Here, members gather to hear addresses by State Representative Dan Brady, Normal Mayor Chris Koos, and former Mayor Carol Reitan, for whom the conference center is named. See more photos on the Convention page or on our Facebook page. |
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ACTION ALERT ISSUE SUMMARY
Thank you to everyone who contacted your legislators in response to our Time for Action alerts during the spring session of the 98th General Assembly.
The General Assembly adjourned on Friday, May 31st following a flurry of activity in which several bills were altered, some several times in the final session. Issue Specialists will be reading the final versions of those bills and other measures of interest in the weeks to come.
Here's a summary of LWVIL action outcomes:
Gun Violence Prevention
LWVIL strongly supported common sense gun legislation with our coalition partner, the Illinois Council to Prevent Gun Violence, who reported: House Bill 183 which was originally the vehicle for common sense gun laws was amended and we OPPOSED the measure. While the bill has some of the issues we fought for including strong training requirements and limits on where loaded weapons can be carried, the bill would preempt home rule on concealed carry and transportation laws but is not the total preemption of firearms laws that was in previous versions of the bill.
The ban on large capacity ammunition clips that LWVIL supported did not pass.
Health Care
All three of the measures we supported have passed and are awaiting the Governor's signature: Medicaid Expansion, science-based and age-appropriate Sex Education, and establishment of Health Insurance Exchanges (Marketplace) needed for Affordable Care Act implementation in 2014.
Criminal Justice
LWVIL supported four pieces of legislation that passed in the General Assembly:
Immigration
LWVIL supported the bill to allow the state to issue temporary drivers licenses to undocumented persons who pass a driving test and can prove they have insurance. The measure was signed into law by the Governor in late January.
State Fiscal Policy
LWVIL supported several measures to maintain funding levels for education and human services and many of these measures were moved to new bills at the end of the session. It appears that funding for education has been maintained at current levels.
Election Laws
The General Assembly passed a provision to allow a person who is 17 years old on the date of the primary may vote at the primary if that person is otherwise qualified and will be 18 years old on the date of the following election. Prior to passage, LWVIL sent a message to the House Committee suggesting that this bill be modified to include all elections, not just those held in even-numbered years. The sponsor indicated some interest but that the modification would have to wait.
The General Assembly adjourned on Friday, May 31st following a flurry of activity in which several bills were altered, some several times in the final session. Issue Specialists will be reading the final versions of those bills and other measures of interest in the weeks to come.
Here's a summary of LWVIL action outcomes:
Gun Violence Prevention
LWVIL strongly supported common sense gun legislation with our coalition partner, the Illinois Council to Prevent Gun Violence, who reported: House Bill 183 which was originally the vehicle for common sense gun laws was amended and we OPPOSED the measure. While the bill has some of the issues we fought for including strong training requirements and limits on where loaded weapons can be carried, the bill would preempt home rule on concealed carry and transportation laws but is not the total preemption of firearms laws that was in previous versions of the bill.
The ban on large capacity ammunition clips that LWVIL supported did not pass.
Health Care
All three of the measures we supported have passed and are awaiting the Governor's signature: Medicaid Expansion, science-based and age-appropriate Sex Education, and establishment of Health Insurance Exchanges (Marketplace) needed for Affordable Care Act implementation in 2014.
Criminal Justice
LWVIL supported four pieces of legislation that passed in the General Assembly:
- HB 3061 expanding the sealing of old convictions to include low-level, non-violent Class 3 and 4 felonies four years after sentences are completed
- SB1872 eliminating the felony enhancement for prostitution
- HB 2404 changing the definition of delinquent minor to include a person who was under 18 (rather than 17) years of age when he or she committed an offense classified as a felony. The bill also changes the age concerning confidentiality of juvenile records
- HB 1046 provides that any incarcerated person may apply for medical assistance prior to the date of scheduled release or discharge in order to be assured of such coverage when released.
Immigration
LWVIL supported the bill to allow the state to issue temporary drivers licenses to undocumented persons who pass a driving test and can prove they have insurance. The measure was signed into law by the Governor in late January.
State Fiscal Policy
LWVIL supported several measures to maintain funding levels for education and human services and many of these measures were moved to new bills at the end of the session. It appears that funding for education has been maintained at current levels.
Election Laws
The General Assembly passed a provision to allow a person who is 17 years old on the date of the primary may vote at the primary if that person is otherwise qualified and will be 18 years old on the date of the following election. Prior to passage, LWVIL sent a message to the House Committee suggesting that this bill be modified to include all elections, not just those held in even-numbered years. The sponsor indicated some interest but that the modification would have to wait.
GRADUATED RATE INCOME TAX (GRIT) PROJECT
WANTED: PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE ILLINOIS NEEDS A MORE RESPONSIVE AND FAIR FISCAL POLICY AND WHO WANT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
How: Work with the LWVIL's grassroots effort to get a Constitutional Amendment through the GA and onto the Nov. 2014 ballot. This will allow voters to consider a graduated rate income tax, a long held League position.
What is needed: Enthusiasm and some of your time.
Job description: The Center for Tax and Budget Accountability will provide a two hour training on how you can explain why a graduated rate income tax is needed. Utilize this information to educate your League members and the public.
Contact: Claire McIntyre at issues@lwvil.org
More information about locations, the GRIT project and other resources as they become available click here. Frequently asked questions (FAQ's) are here.
How: Work with the LWVIL's grassroots effort to get a Constitutional Amendment through the GA and onto the Nov. 2014 ballot. This will allow voters to consider a graduated rate income tax, a long held League position.
What is needed: Enthusiasm and some of your time.
Job description: The Center for Tax and Budget Accountability will provide a two hour training on how you can explain why a graduated rate income tax is needed. Utilize this information to educate your League members and the public.
Contact: Claire McIntyre at issues@lwvil.org
More information about locations, the GRIT project and other resources as they become available click here. Frequently asked questions (FAQ's) are here.
League Members Testify in April
Testimony before the Illinois Campaign Finance Task Force making the case for the importance of keeping the campaign contribution limits made law in 2009.
HERE is that testimony.
Testimony before the US Environmental Protection Agency on Proposed Emissions and Vehicle Fuel Standards. That testimony is HERE.
HERE is that testimony.
Testimony before the US Environmental Protection Agency on Proposed Emissions and Vehicle Fuel Standards. That testimony is HERE.
LEAGUE PARTICIPATES IN APRIL RALLY TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR COMMON SENSE GUN LEGISLATION
League of Women Voters members representing local leagues in Glenview, LaGrange and Evanston rallied at the Illinois Capitol on April 11th along with thousands of advocates to show support for common sense gun legislation, background checks and an assault weapons ban. The League of Women Voters of Illinois has long opposed concealed carry and supports strong gun laws and is a member of the Illinois Coalition Against Handgun Violence.
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