Mental Health: Exploring Options to the Criminal Justice System

League Helps Round Lake High School Students Experience a “Real-World” Election Process

With the election just two weeks away, classes began today at Round Lake High School with juniors and seniors gearing up to cast their vote in a mock election, organized by the League of Women Voters. Students in Government, U.S. History and Economics lined the hallways waiting for their ballot in what appeared to be a true polling place. As part of the curriculum, students have learned about the voting process and all the rules that go along with it. Students stood in line, some holding posters supporting their preferred presidential

candidate, but knew that there would be no electioneering once they passed the blue line.

At one point, you could hear a group of students chanting their candidate’s name!

This experience was made possible through the coordination of League of Women Voters members, Judy Armstrong and Jeanne Kearby along with Round Lake High School representatives Christina Cacciatore, Sarah Fontana and Doug Barnshaw. Armstrong and Kearby played a part in the overall experience today by checking voters in and distributing ballots. “Voting is a fundamental of the American experience and the League of Women Voters has promoted educated voting since its formation in 1908. Educating our youth by providing such a “real” voting experience is essential to their growth,” said Armstrong.

Kearby commented, “Round Lake High School did a great job organizing this event and have really made the layout look like a true polling place. I applaud the staff for doing such an amazing job in making this experience available to students at Round Lake.”

If you would like to learn more about the program, please contact Heather Bennett, Public Relations Officer, at hbennett@rlas-116.org or 847-270-9007.

Candidate Debates October 23 and 25

CMAP On To 2050 - Waukegan Session

     A full house of over 40 Lake County residents gathered on Wednesday, June 29, 2016, at Park Place Senior Center in Waukegan to provide input for the regional plan being developed by Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP).

     Members of the community, including members the sponsoring organizations, the League of Women Voters - Lake County, Clean Power Lake County, Sierra Club, AAUW Waukegan Area Branch, Christ Episcopal Church, NAACP, Most Blessed Trinity, Waukegan Main Street and Greater Waukegan Development Coalition were led by CMAP staff through a series of questions and small group discussions to weigh in with their thoughts about transportation, housing, economic development, open space, the environment, and other quality-of-life issues for Lake County and the Northeastern Illinois region.
   
     CMAP's goal is to develop, within the next two years, a new comprehensive regional plan, called ON TO 2050.  CMAP is the planning organization for the seven counties of northeastern Illinois and helps coordinate strategies for the region's 284 communities to address housing, economic development, transportation, the environment, and other quality-of-life issues. CMAP is gathering input from residents via community meetings throughout the area and also in the following ways:
     E-mail  at onto2050@cmap.illinois.gov
     Follow  on Twitter @cmap.illinois.gov, #2050BigIdeas
     Like  on Facebook facebook.com/1CMap, #2050BigIdeas
     Visit www.cmap.illinois.gov/onto2050 and click "Get Involved" to learn more and subscribe to CMAP's Weekly Update.

ON TO 2050: 40 Lake County Residents Share Vision for 2050 at CMAP Workshop

     Forty Lake County residents gathered on Thursday evening, June 23, 2016, at the Byron Colby Barn in Grayslake to weigh in with their thoughts about transportation, housing, economic development, open space, the environment,  and other quality-of-life issues for Lake County and the Northeastern Illinois region.
     Led by staff from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), the workshop was sponsored by the Liberty Prairie Foundation, the League of Women Voters - Lake County, and Livable Lake County.
     CMAP's goal is to develop, within the next two years, a new comprehensive regional plan, called ON TO 2050.  CMAP is the planning organization for the seven counties of northeastern Illinois and helps coordinate strategies for the region's 284 communities to address housing, economic development, transportation, the environment, and other quality-of-life issues. CMAP is gathering input from residents via community meetings throughout the area and also in the following ways:
     E-mail  at onto2050@cmap.illinois.gov
     Follow  on Twitter @cmap.illinois.gov, #2050BigIdeas
     Like  on Facebook facebook.com/1CMap, #2050BigIdeas
     Visit www.cmap.illinois.gov/onto2050 and click "Get Involved" to learn more and subscribe to CMAP's Weekly Update.
     Another community program sponsored by the League of Women Voters-Lake County and numerous other community groups will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Park Place Senior Center at 414 S. Lewis Ave., Waukegan.

LWV-LAKE COUNTY CO-SPONSORS: CMAP - ON TO 2050

What are your big ideas for the region's future? The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and its partners are developing a new comprehensive regional plan - called ON TO 2050 - and we need your perspective on how our region should look in 2050. Join us at one of these workshops co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters - Lake County.  CMAP is the planning organization for the seven counties of northeastern Illinois and helps coordinate strategies for the region's 284 communities to address housing, economic development, transportation, the environment, and other quality-of-life issues.  It is supposed to be very interactive; they really want to hear from you!
Click on this link to register:  https://docs.google.com/…/1y3xp_RbLZdppTYHpISionbe…/viewform

LWV - Lake County members attend LWV - Illinois annual Issues Briefing

Members of the League of Women Voters - Lake County spent the day downtown Chicago on Saturday, February 27, at the state League's annual Issues Briefing.  This is an opportunity for League members from all over the state to learn more about issues about which the League has positions and concerns.  Positions on issues are determined by grassroots study and consensus and are used as the basis for our advocacy and outreach activities.  At this year's Issues Briefing there were sessions and workshops on gun violence prevention, public education, re-districting reform, the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill, criminal justice reform, healthy waters, mental health problems among prisoners, and consolidation of governmental units. We welcomed numerous expert speakers, including State Representative Elaine Nekritz (57th), State Senator Daniel Biss (9th), and U. S. Representative Robin Kelly (IL 2nd).  Although the League of Women Voters is most known for its work in helping people register and vote and for presenting candidate debates, we are also proud of our advocacy on issues of importance to the public.  

Jeanne Kearby and Linda Bartmes 

Jane Partridge

Connie Wesley

Candidate Forum in Round Lake Beach February 21, 2016

This coming Sunday, Feb. 21, 1:30 p.m., 
League of Women Voters-Lake County
Candidate Forum. Democratic primary election 
candidates for 10th U.S. Congressional District
and Lake County State's Attorney. (The League 
only holds debates for contested elections. The 
Republicans in those two primary races are 
unopposed.) Village of Round Lake Beach 
Cultural and Civic Center, 2007 Civic Center Way, 
Round Lake, IL. https://www.facebook.com/RLBCulturalCenter/?pnref=story

LWV - Lake County Registers New Voters at four Lake County High Schools

This month, members of LWV-Lake County registered students at Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep in Waukegan, Lake Zurich High School, and Warren Township High School, and returned to Carmel Catholic High School.  We are proud to be part of the LWV efforts to Make Democracy Work.

League Visits Carmel Catholic High School to Register Students to Vote

Yesterday, November10, some members of the League of Women Voters - Lake County who are deputy registrars spent the lunch hours at Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein,  registering 135 students to vote. Thank you to Sharon Smoger and the rest of the Carmel staff for doing such a good job of promoting the event and making sure the students were prepared with the proper documents.  And, thank you to these League members who registered the students:  Diane and Stan Sanderson, 
Susan Zingle and Rosemary Heilemann.  

League of Women Voters-Lake County Sponsors Moderator Training at Deerfield's Patty Turner Center

Organizers and some of the participants in today's training, from left:
  Diane Sanderson, Rita Kirby, Judy Armstrong, Jeanne Kearby, and Mary Mathews.

LWV-Illinois state board member Irene Pritzger and Moderator Trainer Missey Wilhelm

The League of Women Voters is known for organizing Candidate Forums to give citizens the opportunity to ask questions of candidates for local, state, and national elections.  The importance of well-trained moderators for these events cannot be over-emphasized. Today, the League of Women Voters-Lake County hosted a moderator training session at Deerfield's Patty Turner Center.  They were assisted by the League of Women Voters-Deerfield Area and received the training from League of Women Voters-Illinois Moderator Trainer Missey Wilhelm.  Be sure to attend a candidate forum in your area as the primary and general elections get closer.

LWV-Lake County Annual Meeting

Members and guests of the League of Women Voters-Lake County enjoyed food and friendship as they re-capped the past year, made plans for this year, and discussed many areas of interest.  

Daily Herald Coverage of State Representative District 62 Race at Candidate Forum Held on October 8

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20141009/news/141008368/

Bob Susnjara | Staff Photographer 

Lake County posted: 10/9/2014 5:30 AM
Bob Susnjara

62nd House hopefuls debate minimum wage

Rod Drobinski, left, and Sam Yingling, right, are candidates for the 62nd State House Seat in the 2014 general election.

Lake County state representative candidates Rod Drobinski and Sam Yingling separated themselves on the minimum wage issue at a Round Lake Beach forum Wednesday night.

Joining Drobinski and Yingling at the village's cultural and civic center were candidates for Lake County Board, clerk, treasurer and sheriff. The election is Nov. 4.

Drobinski, a Republican who works as Lake County gangs prosecutor, is challenging the Democratic Yingling in the 62nd House District that represents all or parts of Grayslake, Hainesville, the Round Lake communities, Lake Villa, Gurnee, Wildwood and Gages Lake.

Written questions were posed to the candidates by a League of Women Voters member at the forum, organized by the Round Lake Area Public Library, Mano a Mano and other local organizations.

One question was whether Yingling or Drobinski support the idea of raising Illinois' minimum wage from $8.25 an hour.

Yingling said the minimum wage should be boosted except for workers 18 years old or younger. He said anyone working 40 hours a week deserves enough money to live properly.

"I believe in a rising tide raises all boats," said Yingling, a Grayslake resident.

Drobinski, a Wauconda resident, said a higher minimum wage "would kill jobs." He also disputed what he claimed are attempts by opponents to portray him in favor of cutting the minimum wage from $8.25 an hour.

"That's absolutely false," Drobinski said.

Drobinski took aim at Yingling for voting for a state budget that he contends will result in more spending than revenue.

"I'm running because we don't have proper representation in the 62nd District," Drobinski said.

Yingling said he voted for a balanced state budget and that he's worked in an effort to provide relief to taxpayers.

As for the Lake County Board candidates at the forum, Republican Jeff Werfel and Democrat John Wylie are running for a District 6 seat. The district includes Grayslake and Hainesville, along with portions of Round Lake Park and Round Lake Beach.

Werfel and Wylie, who reside less than a half-mile from each other in the Prairie Crossing conservation community, are vying for the seat being vacated by retiring Democrat Pat Carey of Grayslake.

Both candidates responded to a question on what can be done to spur Lake County's economy.

Wylie, an attorney and former Prairie Crossing Charter School board member, said he'd push for creation of green energy and technology jobs.

He said promotion of Lake County-produced food also would lead to more jobs.

Werfel, a Grayslake trustee, said he would want an aggressive public-private partnership in an effort to attract and retain jobs.

WRLR 98.3 & Comcast Rebroadcast Schedules for Candidate Forum Held on October 8

WRLR 98.3 and Comcast will rebroadcast the candidate forum held on October 8 at the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center.

WRLR 98.3 will rebroadcast the event on Sunday, October 12 at noon. You can find it on the radio at 98.3 FM, streaming at www.WRLR.fm, and Tune-In® App.

Comcast will show the forum on its Public Access Channel on every Sunday at 2 pm, through November 2. The Public Access Channel is Channel 17 in most of Lake County.

Candidates from the following races participated in the forum: 

• State Representative District 62 (Drobinski & Yingling)
• Lake County Board District 6 (Werfel & Wylie)
• Lake County Clerk (Kilkelly & Wyckoff)
• Lake County Sheriff (Curran & Patt)
• Lake County Treasurer (Ryback & Stolman)

The forum was co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Lake County, Round Lake Area Public Library, WRLR 98.3, Mano a Mano Family Resource Center, Round Lake Area Exchange Club.

Candidates for Countywide Offices on Stage. 

Mano a Mano Executive Director, Megan McKenna de Mejia
distributing translation headsets

Sign at the RLBCCC

Some of the devoted folks from WRLR 98.3

PRESS RELEASE: Candidate Forum, October 8, 2014 in Round Lake Beach ... Spanish Language Translation Will Be Provided

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     Contact:  Jim DiDonato

  

Candidate Forum Event 

October 8, 2014

Spanish language translation services will be provided.

Sponsored by: League of Women Voters, Round Lake Area Library, Mano a Mano, WRLR 98.3 FM, and Round Lake Area Exchange Club

For contested races in the 62nd State Representative, County Board District #6, and Lake County Clerk, Lake County Sheriff, and Lake County Treasurer.

This is a non-partisan activity presented by nonpartisan organizations.  None of the organizations hosting this event support any candidate or ballot issue.  The opinions of any candidates do not reflect the views of the organizations participating in this event.  All candidates in contested races in the 10^th Congressional District, 62nd State House District, County Board 6th District, and Lake County Clerk, Lake County Sheriff, and Lake County Treasurer were invited to participate. [blogger's note: 10th Congressional Candidates will not be participating (answering questions) in the forum]

Voters and residents of the 62^nd State House District, County Board 6^th District, Lake County Clerk, Lake County Sheriff, and Lake County Treasurer will have an opportunity to meet the candidates and hear their positions on issues at the Candidates Forum being held Oct 8^th at the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic center at 2007 N. Civic Center Way, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073.  Sponsored by League of Women Voters, Round Lake Area Library, Mano a Mano, WRLR 98.3 FM, and Round Lake Area Exchange Club, the candidate forum will begin at 7:00pm.  Candidates will be available for Individual questions at tables at 6:30 and after the forum ends. Questions to candidates will be submitted by members of the audience and moderated by the League of Women Voters.  Spanish language translation services will be provided by Mano a Mano.  Live broadcast of the Candidate Forum will be carried on WRLR 98.3 at www.wrlr.fm.  Tune in via live streaming on the websitewrlr.fm or via Tune-IN® app (WRLR).  Comcast will rebroadcast at various times before the November 4 election.

SPONSORS:

·  The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

·  Mano a Mano’s mission is to empower immigrant and underserved families of Lake County, Illinois to become full participants in American life by providing quality programs and services that educate and establish links to essential community resources.

·  WRLR 98.3 is a public community radio station based in Round Lake Heights, IL that serves most of Lake County, focusing on the Greater Round Lake Area and Chain O’Lakes area.  WRLR is a not-for-profit organization that is operated by more than 80 volunteers.  We provide news/talk shows, and eclectic programming and connect people to community organizations.  Access to WRLR is through live streaming on our website or via the Tune-IN® app.

·  Round Lake Area Exchange Club is a group of men and women working together to make our communities better places to live through programs of service in Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities, and our national program—The Prevention of Child Abuse.

Jim DiDonato 

Executive Director 

Round Lake Area Public Library District

906 Hart Rd, Round Lake, IL 60073 

Phone:  (847) 546-7060, ext. 127

e-mail:  jdidonato@rlalibrary.org

Fax:      (847) 546-7104

URL:    http://www.rlalibrary.org

Candidato Foro evento

08 de octubre de 2014

Se proporcionará servicios de traducción en español.

Patrocinado por: League of Women Voters, Round Lake Area biblioteca, Mano a Mano, WRLR 98.3 FM

y Round Lake Area Exchange Club

Esta es una actividad no partidista presentada por organizaciones no partidistas. Ninguna de las organizaciones organizando este evento apoyar cualquier tema candidato o boleta. Las opiniones de candidatos no reflejan las opiniones de las organizaciones que participan en este evento. Todos los candidatos en disputadas carreras en el décimo distrito del congreso, el distrito estatal de la cámara 62, la Junta directiva del Condado Distrito 6, la Secretaria del Condado de Lake, y el Sheriff del Condado de Lake y Tesorero del Condado Lake fueron invitados a participar.

Los votantes y los residentes del distrito estatal de la cámara 62, la Junta directiva del Condado Distrito 6, la Secretaria del Condado de Lake, el Tesorero del Condado de Lake, y el Sheriff del Condado de Lake tendrá la oportunidad de conocer a los candidatos y escuchar sus posiciones sobre temas en el foro de los candidatos que se llevara a cabo el 8 de octubre en el centro de Round Lake Beach Cultural y cívico 2007 N. Civic Center Way, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073. Este evento está patrocinado por la Liga de mujeres votantes, Round Lake Area biblioteca, Mano a Mano, WRLR 98.3 fm y Round Lake Area Exchange Club, el foro de candidatos comenzará a las 7:00 pm. Los candidatos estarán disponibles para preguntas individuales en mesas a partir de las 6:30pm y después de los extremos del foro. Preguntas a los candidatos serán presentadas por los miembros de la audiencia y moderados por la Liga de mujeres votantes. Servicios de traducción en español se proporcionará por Mano a Mano. Transmisión en vivo del Foro de candidatos se llevará en 98.3 WRLR en www.wrlr.fm. Sintoniza vía streaming en vivo en el sitio web wrlr.fm o vía Tune-IN ® app (WRLR). Comcast retransmitirá en varias ocasiones antes de las elecciones del 4 de noviembre.

Thanks for the support!

Sandra Lopez | Head of Outreach Services|

Round Lake Area Public Library District

906 Hart Rd, Round Lake, IL 60073 

Phone:  (847) 546-7060, ext. 122

e-mail:  slopez@rlalibrary.org

Fax:      (847) 546-7104

URL:    http://www.rlalibrary.org

Candidates Forum October 8, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center

The League of Women Voters of Lake County is sponsoring a candidate forum with Round Lake Area Public Library, Mano a Mano Family Resource Center, WRLR 98.3 Radio, and the Exchange Club of the Round Lake Area on Wednesday, October 8. 

Candidates for the following races will be in attendance:

• 62nd District State Representative 
  Rod Drobinski - R and Sam Yingling -D
  Click here see the candidates for 62nd State House Districts' responses to the League of Women Voters of Illinois' Online Voter Guide 
• Lake County Board District #6
  Jeff Werfel - R and John Wylie - D
• Lake County Clerk
  Janet  E. Kilkelly - D and Carla N. Wyckoff - R
  
• Lake County Sheriff
  Mark Curran - R and Jason Patt - D
  
• Lake County Treasurer
  Glenn Ryback - D and David Stolman - R

Wednesday, October 8
Meet and Greet the Candidates at 6:30 pm
Forum begins at 7:00 p.m. 
Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center
2007 Civic Center Way (map)
Round Lake Beach, IL 60073

6:30 p.m. Meet and Greet with the Candidates
7:00 p.m. Forums begin

• 62nd State Representative
• Lake County Board District 6

8:00 p.m. Forums for Countywide offices begin

• Lake County Clerk
• Lake County Sheriff
• Lake County Treasurer

Schedule SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Charter School Position Update - Free Webinars Sunday, September 21, 4-5 pm & Wednesday, October 8, 7-8 pm

The League of Women Voters of Illinois is conducting a study to update its position on Charter Schools. Members are encouraged to register for two free webinars to receive updates of the study.

Position Update Study Webinar Registration

Two webinars have been scheduled for League members participating in the Charter School Study.

During the webinars, the PowerPoint will be presented and questions will be addressed. It is anticipated that the Sept. 21 webinar will focus on the first part of the PowerPoint--through the parts of Question 1--and the Oct. 8 webinar will focus on the rest of the PowerPoint.

Anyone who has questions about the issues addressed is invited to participate. We particularly invite members of local League committees which are organizing and presenting the study. But you must pre-register.

To register for the Sept. 21 meeting from 4-5 p.m., click HERE.
To register for the Oct. 8 meeting from 7-8 p.m., click HERE.

Following is the League of Women Voters of Illinois' CURRENT position, in brief, on charter schools.

The League of Women Voters of Illinois believes that: 

• The Illinois State Board of Education should continue to monitor the progress of existing charters before supporting expansion, specifically looking for improvement in individual student test scores and achievement of the specific goals stated in the school's charter. 
• Charters should be established by local school boards, with adequate provisions for public education and participation in the decision making process.  
• An appeal process to the State Board of Education should remain in place as an option for charters who have been denied by their local school boards. 

While we feel that advantages of charters largely outweigh the disadvantages, we have identified the following areas of concern:

• School funding.  Charters do nothing to address the issue of equitable and adequate funding of education, including special education.
• Financial impact on underlying school districts, especially smaller districts. Charters place financial pressure on smaller districts by drawing money out of the traditional public schools. 
• Privatization and profit-making.  The LWVIL opposes the presence of private, for-profit companies in the governance of public education, as there could be a conflict between the interests of shareholders in the corporation and the citizens of the state.

LWVIL has also identified areas of opportunity resulting from charter schools:

• Innovation.  Charters have a mandate to share innovations in teaching methods, curricula and standards of assessment for all stakeholders.
• Increased parental choice and involvement within the public school system. 

Click here to read the League's position, in full.

For general information about the League's study, please visit: http://www.lwvil.org/charter-schools.html

Stormwater From the Ground Up September 20, 10:30 a.m., Zion Library

Stormwater From the Ground Up at the Waukegan Public Library, July 31, 2014

Krista Grimm, LWV-Illinois Issues Specialist for Water and delegate to the LWV-Lake Michigan Region, answers a question while Mike Novotney of the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission looks on. Spanish translation was offered for this program, as you can see by the headset worn by our co-organizer and translator, Susana Figueroa of Faith in Place.  The gentleman next to her is listening to the translation; you can see the earpiece wire descending from his left ear.  Faith in Place and the LWV-Lake County co-hosted the evening's program.

Mike Novotney of the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission explains some of the problems caused by stormwater runoff in the Lake Michigan watershed.  
   There will be another presentation next Thursday, August 7, 2014, 7 p.m., at the Highland Park Public Library,  494  Laurel Ave., Highland Park, hosted by the LWV-Highland Park/Highwood and the city of Highland Park.  Free and open to the public.