League Action in October & November
12/1/25
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 October and November:
NO KINGS Protests: Communities across Illinois turned out in huge numbers for peaceful NO KINGS protests on October 18. The League was proud to be a national sponsor of these events and to see all the League members and friends who joined to speak out against federal overreach and cuts to essential services. See photos.
National Guard Deployment: LWVIL released a joint statement with LWVUS condemning the deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago and every other American city without cause. We also partnered with Common Cause Illinois to place billboards on major roadways around Chicagoland in support of our communities and in protest of the presence of federal troops in our state. Learn more.
Fair Maps: Partisan gerrymandering serves to predetermine the outcome of our elections, robbing voters of a truly representative government. That is why LWVIL 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. We’re embarking on a campaign to gather petitions in support of this amendment. You can help! Learn more.
Veto Session: The Illinois General Assembly reconvened for Veto Session in October, and we sent out some action alerts in support of legislation up for consideration. Here's where those bills stand:
PASSED: HB3492 (previously SB2418), which will increase the juvenile detention age from 10 to 13.
PASSED: HB1312, which will increase protections from certain civil immigration enforcement actions for people visiting hospitals, courthouses, early childhood centers, and state higher education institutions in Illinois (combined multiple immigration enforcement bills into an omnibus bill).
We called for the General Assembly to avoid cutting vital services in the face of a critical funding shortfall in Illinois. We are still awaiting a final state budget. Watch legislative tax policy expert Ralph Martire discuss the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on the Illinois state budget.
Voter Access: The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) was considering a petition asking it to initiate a process that would add documentary proof of citizenship to the federal voter registration form. Much like the SAVE Act, this proposal would force Americans to show specific, costly, hard-to-access documents like passports before registering to vote. LWVIL advocated for citizens to submit public comments to the EAC about how damaging this policy would be before they make their decision.
Representing League members across the country, LWVUS also advocates for League causes by organizing resistance, speaking to lawmakers, and signing onto legal cases:
LWV encouraged voters to cast their ballots in one of the most important “off-year” elections in recent history. As managing partner of Election Hero Day, the League also celebrated the tireless workers who keep elections running.
Attacks on immigrant communities continue. LWV and 5 state and local Leagues filed a lawsuit against US Citizenship and Immigration Services over a new policy banning third-party voter registration at administrative naturalization ceremonies. LWV also condemned indiscriminate Border Patrol operations in Charlotte, NC.
LWV and plaintiffs sought emergency relief in a lawsuit to stop the Trump-Vance administration’s unlawful creation of government databases containing legally protected personal information.
Voters and civil rights groups sought to halt Department of Justice attempts to seize voter data in CA, ME, MI, MN, NY, and PA.
New Hampshire, Texas, and Arkansas saw victories in cases regarding the use of AI to intimidate voters, racial gerrymandering, and the right of the people to direct democracy, respectively.
LWV filed lawsuits in California and Oregon to defend voter privacy.
To enhance our ability to defend democracy through the initiative Unite & Rise 8.5, LWV announced a new Advisory Committee of leaders across the public sector and Grassroots Power Partners across women-led organizations.
League Urges Speaker to Swear In Congresswoman-elect Grijalva
LWVUS Submits Comments to EPA Opposing Eliminating the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program