Local Program/Action Focus for 2010-2011

Each year in May, the LWVE holds an annual meeting to elect officers, pass a budget, consider by-law changes and decide upon local programs and action. The May 13, 2010 annual meeting approved the following items for this year, which were recommended in a meeting held on February 18.

League members are encouraged to express interest in working on either or both of these two topics on their membership forms or by contacting President Susan Black or Vice-President Betty Hayford. Initial meetings will be convened in the fall to shape efforts for the year. An initial step will be to identify knowledgeable individuals or groups already working on these issues, and determine how the League can support or contribute to these efforts. One goal will be to inform League members of these issues through a program, an Intercom article, or other means. Developing a new position or urging action by city officials might result from the process.

Housing Foreclosures in Evanston. Questions to be considered are:

• what caused the foreclosure crisis in Evanston? 
• what is the city doing and what should the city do?
• how will the 2010 federal grant of $18 million be used? 
• are there different perspectives on the question that might be presented by the Mayor, the City Manager, bankers, or real estate agents?
• what services are available to Evanston residents and who is eligible? 

The Evanston City Budget: the current crisis and longer-term options. Important questions related to budget include: most important sources of revenue and areas of expense; the impact of tax-exempt property on the city budget; the impact of budget cuts on human services; how Evanston residents can have input into budget priorities; the relationship between the operating budget, the capital budget and the pension short-fall.

LWVE has continuing interest in many other Evanston, Illinois and national topics, including the redistricting that will take place after the 2010 census, political reforms in Cook County and Springfield, the Illinois budget problems, sustainability and environmental policies, affordable housing, and governmental transparency at all levels.

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 in Evantson.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: January 15, 2012 21:01 PST.

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