About the League

League of Women Voters^®
of Cook County

What is our mission? How are we structured? What is our history?

Our Mission and Roles

This League is an inter-league organization made up of the 16 local Leagues within Cook County, Illinois. Anyone who is a member of one of these Leagues or who is a member-at-large residing in Cook County is a member. The League of Women Voters of Cook County has been in existence since January, l923, and is an integral part of both the League of Women Voters of the United States and the League of Women Voters of Illinois. The Board of Directors consists of an executive board of five members and six board members, all of whom are elected by the general membership at the Annual Meeting. In addition, each member League is entitled to a voting representative on the board.
The League of Women Voters of Cook County (LWVCC) focuses on public policies, decisions and election processes impacting Cook County as a whole or a significant portion of Cook County. Interest Groups focusing on Juvenile Justice, Cook County Budget and Structure, and Health and Hospital Systems allow members to become better educated on these aspects of Cook County government. A fourth Interest Group on the Cook County Forest Preserve District is in formation.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government. LWV influences public policy through education and advocacy, while never supporting or opposing any political party or candidate.
The League of Women Voters has two separate and distinct roles.

Voters Service/Citizen Education: The League presents unbiased nonpartisan information about elections, the voting process, and issues.

Action/Advocacy: The League is nonpartisan, but, after study, uses its positions to advocate for or against particular policies in the public interest.

To conduct voter service and citizen education activities,the League uses funds from the LWVIL Education Fund, a nonprofit education organization that operates as a 501(c)(3) corporation. The League of Women Voters is a membership organization that conducts action and advocacy. LWVIL operates as a nonprofit 501(c)(4) corporation.
Our Vision, Beliefs, and Intentions guide our activities.

Membership

A member who belongs to a local League in the county, also belongs to the Cook County League, LWV Illinois and LWV US. Visit the web site of your area League or the State League for more information on advocacy, events and election information pertinent to your community and membership information.
League of Women Voters of the United States
League of Women Voters of Illinois
Local Leagues that are part of LWV Cook County:

Arlington Heights/Mt. Prospect/Buffalo Grove

Barrington Area

Chicago

Dolton/Harvey/Riverdale (No website)

Evanston

Glencoe

Glenview

Homewood/Flossmoor

LaGrange Area

Oak Park/River Forest

Palatine Area

Palos/Orland Area

Park Forest Area

Park Ridge

Wilmette

Winnetka/Northfield/Kenilworth

History of the League of Women Voters

Read a short history of the League of Women Voters.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: June 28, 2010 12:47 PDT.