LWVCC News

LWVCC posts news for its members several times a year.

Meeting Elects Officers, Adopts Position, Hears Shakman Speak.  Results from the February Primary Poll Reporting Project.  League Web Training.

Meeting Elects Officers, Adopts Position, Hears Shakman Speak

The Cook County League, which is an inter-league group made up of the 16 leagues within the county, held its annual meeting on May 19 at Brookfield Zoo. Those attending heard Michael Shakman speak about his law suit that has led to the famous "Shakman Decrees" which are court orders affecting patronage in Chicago and Cook County governments.

Mr. Shakman originally brought suit back in 1969 when he was defeated in his bid to be elected as a delegate to the Illinois Constitutional Convention, a supposedly non-partisan position, as a result of what he alleged was old-style, and illegal, patronage politics. The lawsuit is still pending, making it one of the longest ever! There have been two major judicial decrees which have tried to eliminate patronage as a basis for hiring or firing, or as a requirement for working as a city or county employee. As a result of continued allegations by others that patronage continues, both the city and county governments are still under scrutiny by the court.

After a review of the significant activities of the past year and an update of the study and action committees' work, delegates at the meeting revised the bylaws, adopted a budget, elected new officers and board members, and adopted by concurrence a revised position on juvenile justice. To see the new position, go to the County League's web site: http://www.cookcounty.il.lwvnet.org. On the left of the page, click on "LWVCC Positions," and on the next page, click on "Juvenile Justice."

Officers elected at the annual meeting were Cynthia Schilsky (LaGrange Area) as president, Krista Grimm (LaGrange Area) and Marjy Gilbert (Palos/Orland Area) as vice-presidents, Penny Shnay (Park Forest Area) as secretary, and Donna Moore (Homewood/Floosmoor) as treasurer.

Nancy Stauton and Pris Mims (OPRF), Arline Doblin, (W/N/K), Millie Juskevice (Chicago) and Betty Rosenblum (Glenview) were elected as Board members. Betty Hayford (Evanston) continues as a Board member. Sue Kravis (Glenview), Karen Hunt (Evanston) and Mary Ellen Matthies (OPRF) were elected to the Nominating Committee.

If you have any interest in County issues, please consider getting involved with the County League. The Employment Practices Study Committee expects to have an organization chart of the departments reporting to the Cook County President on the website later this year, and is continuing to study the county's employment practices. The Budget Process Action Committee will continue to monitor the county's budget process and urge reforms in line with the CC League's budget position. A new Juvenile Justice Action Committee is forming to take action on the newly revised position. As a follow up to a very successful poll reporting project for the February primary election, another similar project is being planned for the November election, along with another televised debate for State's Attorney. And, new observers are always needed to monitor Cook County meetings. All of these committees welcome new members to join them.

For more information on the Cook County League and to join a committee please contact the League at info@cookcounty.il.lwvnet.org or at 312-939-5935.

Results from the February Primary Poll Reporting Project

Poll Watching Project Report

League Web Training

Want to learn how to work the League website?

Want to get some directions up close and personal?

Millie Juskevice will tell all she knows (which isn't everything - but she's our current 'almost a webmaster'.)

You, too, can learn to struggle through the craziness of putting things on line without going crazy yourself.

Come to the LaGrange Library on July 9, Wednesday, from 1 to 4. 10 W. Cossitt, La Grange. It is at the intersection of LaGrange Rd and Cossitt and Cossitt is 3 blocks south of Ogden Ave. or 2 blocks north of 47th St.- easy to find.

Note: This is NOT the LaGrange Park Library (also on La Grange Rd.) where we have had other League Meetings.

If you want more info, or want to sign up, e mail Millie: millie@juskevice.com.

If you have a laptop, bring it with. If not, there's a big screen at the library meeting room, and you can see it all there.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: June 23, 2008 11:23 PDT.

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