League Action in December & January
2/2/26
Representing over 4000 members across the state, the Illinois League takes action to make sure all our voices are heard, often teaming up with other organizations to amplify our message. Here’s what we spoke out on in December and January:
No Troops: National Guard troops are being removed from Chicago following a Supreme Court ruling on December 23. LWVIL has strongly opposed the deployment of federal troops to Illinois communities.
Empowering Young Voters: LWVIL called for support of the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Law (HB4339/SB1786), which would ensure that every Illinois high school offers nonpartisan voter registration to eligible students before they graduate.
No Private School Vouchers: LWVIL 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.
Environmental Protection: The US Environmental Protection Agency proposed new rules clarifying the definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS) that would significantly limit federal jurisdiction over wetlands and ephemeral streams, leaving these water bodies unprotected in states where there is not also state wetland regulation that would cover them. LWVIL submitted public comment to the EPA opposing the new rules.
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.
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.
Voter Turnout: LWVIL President Becky Simon joined ABC 7 Chicago to discuss high voter turnout expected for the March 17 Primary.
Representing League members across the country, LWVUS also advocates for League causes by organizing resistance, speaking to lawmakers, and signing onto legal cases:
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.
League Urges Senators to Vote No on Additional Funding for ICE and DHS
LWVUS joined Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, as well as fellow nonprofit leaders, to share collective demands to Congress in the wake of the continued violence.
LWVUS also joined LULAC’s call to launch an immediate investigation into recent use-of-force incidents involving federal immigration personnel.
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.
Failed Attempts to Gain Voter Data
A federal judge dismissed the US Department of Justice’s attempt to obtain California’s full, unredacted voter registration list, including voters’ sensitive personal data. The League of Women Voters of California is a defendant intervenor in the case and also filed a motion to dismiss the case.
Shortly afterward, a federal judge dismissed a similar lawsuit seeking Oregon’s complete voter rolls. The League of Women Voters of Oregon filed an amicus brief in the case supporting voters and the Oregon Secretary of State.
Health Care: Congress is now back in session. LWVUS sent a memo to the Senate about the set-to-expire Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies urging senators to make a good faith effort to pass legislation to ensure health care affordability in the new year. They will need to work together to put together the final appropriations bills by the January 30 deadline or risk another government shutdown.
Defending Nonprofits: LWVUS joined 257 partner organizations in opposition to government efforts to silence nonprofit organizations that disagree with the party in power. It sets a dangerous precedent and threatens the essential services provided by nonprofit organizations. Read the letter.
LWVUS Sends Letter to Congress Opposing Equal Representation Act
LWVUS Joins Letter to Congress Urging Extension of Enhanced ACA Subsidies
LWVUS Joins Letter to President Opposing Anti-Humanitarian and Anti-Immigration Policies
LWVUS Submits Comments to EPA Opposing Changing Definition of “Waters of the United States”
LWVUS Joins Comments to DHS Opposing Public Charge Proposed Rule