Study and Review - League of Women Voters of Evanston

LOCAL PROGRAM/ACTION FOCUS FOR 2007-2008

Each year in May, the LWVE holds an annual meeting to elect officers, pass a budget, consider by-laws changes and decide upon local program and action. The May 2007 annual meeting chose the following items for this year:

• Affordable Housing: Concerted action to establish an effective affordable housing program in Evanston for persons with moderate and low income.

In recent developments, the Evanston League supported the referendum on the November, 2006, ballot which would have raised funds for affordable housing by an increase in the Real Estate Transfer Tax. This referendum failed, and the City Council then turned to an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance which was passed in January of 2007. It was vetoed by Mayor Lorraine Morton. The Planning and Development Committee is currently considering a Housing Trust Fund. See the Observer section of this website, there is a report of the February 26, 2007 Planning and Development Committee meeting and two handouts relating to the Housing Trust Fund.

• Global Climate Change/Environmental Protection: Concerted Actions (using LWVUS Natural Resources positions) to promote local efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment.

• Local Impact of No Child Left Behind: Educational initiative to inform LWVE members and the community about the impact of the federal NCLB legislation on Evanston schools.

• Election Procedures: Educational initiative, with action as needed, to promote the integrity and efficiency of elections in Evanston.

IN ADDITION to the four action items above -

We are proud to note adoption of a position on abolition of the death penalty at the LWVUS convention in 2006. Evanston members Cheryl Wollin and Janet Kittlaus worked tirelessly on this issue. The LWV Illinois website has more details.

LWVE is working with LWVIL and the statewide A+ Coalition on restructuring the tax system to give more support to schools. (A paper entitled The ABCs of School Funding is available by clicking here.)

Additional information about the local policy issues that have been studied and continue to be of vital concern can be obtained at the LWVE office, 2100 Ridge Avenue.