Proposed Program
To guide its work, the LWVIL Board adopts education and lobbying priorities every two years based on program planning input from local Leagues. The goal is to maintain focus on issues of primary importance to the League. Find a detailed outline of our stances on these issues in Where We Stand, the guide to LWVIL public policy positions, also available as a convenient abridged version.
Per the bylaws of the League of Women Voters of Illinois, Article XI, Sections 1, 2, and 3, the LWVIL Board of Directors proposes the following Program for the 2023-2025 biennium.
Recommended Program Proposals
MOTION 2025 #1
I move to retain the existing Positions in LWV Illinois’ Where We Stand for 2025-27 in the areas of Representative Government, Natural Resources, and Social Policy, except for the Gun Violence Prevention positions which are currently under League Study.
Motion 2025 #2
I move to adopt ‘Defending Democracy’ as one of two priorities for 2025-27 with an emphasis on protecting voting and constitutional rights, eliminating undue influence of money in government and elections, election by majority vote, and direct election of the president.
Motion 2025 #3
I move to adopt ‘Equity of Opportunity’ as one of two priorities for 2025-27 with an emphasis on meeting basic human needs such as food, housing, and healthcare, women’s issues and rights, and education.
Motion 2025 #4
I move to adopt a practice under our Program of addressing ‘Emerging Issues of Impact’ targeted at legislative actions not addressed under Defending Democracy or Equity of Opportunity when such actions warrant litigation and /or will result in significant, meaningful change.
Non-Recommended Program Proposals
The LWVIL Board of Directors does not recommend the following proposals. During Convention, any of the following may be moved for consideration after the recommended program is presented. Further details on how to move non-recommended Program items during Convention can be found in the proposed Rules of Convention.
Include Ranked Choice Voting under LWVIL’s Defend Democracy priority
The current LWVUS position under which ranked choice voting advocacy fits states that:
“The LWVUS supports enabling legislation to allow local jurisdictions to explore alternative electoral methods, as well as supporting state election laws allowing for more options at both the state and local levels…”
LWVIL’s Program recommendation under Defend Democracy currently encompasses any actions LWVIL might take to support laws that improve our elections and provide alternatives for municipal and other local elections to better reflect voter choices. While RCV is one such option, it has not been established by LWVIL to be the preferred option, as no study has been performed to make that determination. LWVIL is concerned that specifying RCV would imply that the League does not support other election systems and processes that are equally valid.
Study Ideas (Not Recommended)
Establish a position on Open Primaries. LWVIL’s Program Recommendation already includes “majority vote elections,” and that would include open primaries. No additional language is needed, and there has been no study to establish open primaries as a League preference. In addition, no formal motion or submission of how a successful study would be accomplished was submitted.
Establish a position on water privatization. No formal motion or submission of how a successful study would be accomplished were submitted.
Add economics as a core component of defending democracy. No formal motion or submission of how a successful study would be accomplished was submitted.
Establish an antitrust position. No formal motion or submission of how a successful study would be accomplished was submitted.
All Convention materials are available as a printable packet for those who prefer to reference a hard copy.
If you have questions, please email convention@lwvil.org.