Democracy Update: Winter 2026

03/31/26

Our country is in a constitutional crisis. Through Unite and Rise 8.5, the League of Women Voters is engaging and mobilizing 8.5 million voters to protect and preserve our democracy. Here's what we're working on:

Legal & Policy Advocacy

  • SAVE Act: Congress continues to consider the suppressive SAVE Act suite of bills, which would potentially disenfranchise millions of Illinois voters by requiring voters to present documentary proof of citizenship to register or vote. LWVIL President Becky Simon joined Senator Dick Durbin and Ed Yohnka of ACLU of Illinois for a press conference to warn about the dangers this legislation. LWVIL’s Kathy Cortez also spoke out about the SAVE Act on ABC 7 Chicago. Keep reaching out to US Senate leadership and urge them to reject the SAVE Act.

  • Data Center Transparency: Join LWVIL in urging legislators in the Illinois General Assembly to co-sponsor and vote YES on the POWER Act to promote transparency around data centers and protect Illinois communities from their potentially harmful impact.

  • Empowering Young Voters: The Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Law (HB4339/SB1786) would ensure that every Illinois high school offers nonpartisan voter registration to eligible students before they graduate. Join LWVIL in asking legislators to support this bill.

  • No Private School Vouchers: LWVIL is continuing to fight for public education in our state. We joined a coalition of organizations in delivering a letter to Governor Pritzker calling on him to act on his values and commit to opting Illinois out of a new federal school voucher program. A stealth referendum question about school vouchers may be on your ballot on March 17—here's what to know.

  • Environmental Protection: LWVIL sent a letter to US Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth detailing the League's opposition to the passage of PERMIT and SPEED Acts, two bills before Congress, to prevent the potentially disastrous outcomes to the environment and climate change. 

  • Federal Immigration Enforcement: For months, communities across the country have lived in terror as federal immigration enforcement agents have patrolled, surveilled, detained, disappeared, injured, and killed civilians, as well as denied people’s constitutional rights by attacking and arresting peaceful protestors. LWVUS is calling on Congress to stop these attacks. LWVUS' advocacy team wrote an overview about what’s happening with ICE and how you can fight back.

  • "Nationalizing" Elections: LWVUS issued a statement responding to reports that the Administration is preparing an executive order to impose federal control over elections.

  • Vote By Mail: LWVUS and nonprofit partners filed an amicus brief in a Supreme Court case centering on the states’ ability to determine their own mail-ballot receipt rules based on voters’ needs.

  • Iran Conflict: LWVUS responded to President Trump’s unconstitutional military action in Iran.

  • Phone Call Fridays: Join us each week in calling on Congress and the Illinois General Assembly to make your voice heard.

  • League in Action: Download the app today to keep up with legislative action opportunities.

Civic Education & Engagement

  • Voter Guide: Ahead of this year's Primary Election, we launched VOTE411 as our statewide nonpartisan online voter guide for the first time, helping over 97,000 voters across Illinois research their candidates and find information on where and how to vote.

  • Candidate Forums: Illinois' busy Primary Election saw Leagues across the state organizing more than double the usual number of candidate forums.

  • Food Depository Partnership: In our continued efforts to seek new ways to empower voters and address stubbornly low voter turnout rates, the League is launching a voter education and registration initiative with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, creating a pathway for reaching potential voters in the safe, trusted, and convenient locations provided by participating food pantries across the county. Learn more.

  • Voter Turnout: LWVIL President Becky Simon joined ABC 7 Chicago to discuss high voter turnout expected for the March 17 Primary.

  • Vote By Mail Advice: The Chicago Tribune published a letter to the editor from LWVIL President Becky Simon on what voters should do to ensure their vote-by-mail ballots are counted.

  • Trainings: LWVIL kicked off 2025 with training sessions for League of Women Voters members to learn how to be a poll watcher, how to moderate a candidate forum, and how to organize candidate forums. Join the League to participate in these trainings and take part in your community's elections.

  • Civic Art Tour: The LWVIL Education Fund has been awarded a $40,000 Healing Illinois Grant to support artist Niki Johnson’s Pillars of Democracy: Unite & Rise tour, an innovative statewide initiative using art, storytelling, and civic dialogue to advance democratic engagement. More information on tour dates coming soon!

Public Mobilization & Coalition Building

  • No Kings: Communities across Illinois turned out for peaceful No Kings protests on Saturday, March 28. We’re proud of all the League members and friends who joined to speak out against federal overreach and cuts to essential services. The League of Women Voters is a national No Kings partner. See photos from the day.

  • Fair Maps: Partisan gerrymandering serves to predetermine the outcome of our elections, robbing voters of a truly representative government. That is why the League of Women Voters of Illinois is advocating to amend the state Constitution and move Illinois a step closer to having legislative districts that reflect our voting population in time for decennial redistricting in 2030. Join our campaign to gather petitions in support of this amendment.

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