| Last Call for April 16 Drinks & Dialogue
Topic is Life After Prison
Learn first hand what life is like after prison. This week's Drinks and Dialogue will focus on the topic of "Re-entry: Successes and Challenges." Attendees will hear first-hand accounts from women who have previously experienced incarceration and how they are doing since being released from prison. You will also learn more about the YWCA Labyrinth Outreach Services which offers these women a supportive reintegration.
Labyrinth addresses the needs of women released from the Illinois Department of Corrections and McLean County jail. They help rebuild each woman’s dignity and nurture her growth as she develops the attitudes and skills required for productive, independent living. The overall vision is to significantly reduce recidivism.
Join us for an impactful evening. Details and RSVP below.
| | | Celebrate Sally!
History Maker’s Gala | Save the Date! June 18, 2025
By Beth Porter
Help us celebrate our very own McLean County League life member, Sally Rudolph, at this year’s History Maker’s Gala. Each year, the McLean County History Museum recognizes long-standing residents whose outstanding, life-long contributions of time and talents have helped to make McLean County a better place to live. Sally is joined by Rob Fazzini and Father Doug Hennessy to be honored. Sally's League involvement featured prominently in her selection, and is reflected in her History-Maker Bio.
The History Makers Gala and Annual Meeting of the McLean County Historical Society celebrates the honorees and their community service. Use the link below for full event details, including how to register for the Gala and sit with other League members.
| | |  | Photos above by Josh Gibbons for The Pantagraph: from left, Diana Hauman, Janet Hood, Sonja Reece.
| League Members Among 20 Over 60 Winners
Hauman, Hood, and Reece to be Honored April 29
by Diana Cristy
The inaugural 20 Over 60 Award winners were announced by its sponsor, Faith in Action. The program is being established to recognize older adults who contribute to the community through professional, volunteer, philanthropic or community activities.
League members Diana Hauman, Janet Hood, and Sonja Reece are among the 20 inaugural award winners. We know them as upbeat, tireless and fully engaged community members. They clearly exemplify the sentiment Faith in Action expressed: Impact is Ageless!
Award recipients will be honored at an awards presentation and reception at Rob Dob's on Tuesday, April 29, 4:30-6:30. Event details and reservations information can be found on the Faith in Action awards webpage. You can see honoree photos and accomplishments summaries on the Faith in Action Facebook page in this post.
Congratulations, Diana, Janet, and Sonja! We appreciate you. |  | Being Nonpartisan in Hyperpartisan Times
by Faith Russell, Director of Issues & Advocacy
League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented in our democracy. We empower voters and defend democracy through advocacy, education, and litigation, at the local, state, and national levels, as stated on the LWV.org homepage.
The McLean County League of Women Voters is conscientious in adhering to these organizational attributes. We’re nonpartisan in that we’re unaffiliated with any particular candidate or political party and offer all candidates access to our voter education tools and activities. Our grassroots quality requires us to consider and reflect local members’ concerns and perspectives. Our emphasis on voting rights, advocacy, education, and litigation place us firmly in the political arena with our mission of “empowering voters and defending democracy."
In today’s political environment, these defining characteristics can be challenging to balance, but our local chapter is committed to doing so. The recent "Hands Off" rally is a case in point.
The LWVUS was a national partner for the “Hands Off” Day of Action on April 5. This level of engagement reflects the LWVUS assessment that the national plans were consistent with our democratic values and positions.
We in McLean County chose not to co-sponsor the local “Hands Off” event since it was closely affiliated with the McLean County Democratic Party and we are sensitive to maintaining our nonpartisan position. However, we provided Hands Off rally information to our members, believing that many would want to know about this chance for individual expression and participation.
At the end of the day, we are a political organization. We will continue to be thoughtful in balancing our foundational qualities, but we will also honor our commitment to advocating on behalf of voters and our democratic principles. As there is no “one size fits all” to address all the challenges of our hyperpartisan environment, we will do our best to choose actions in keeping with our mission and values. | | Welcome to the League!
Say hello to our newest members: Teresa Brenneman, Stephanie Hamper, and Andie Sa-Lewis.
| | | NEW Member Orientation May | see date/time change for May
by Beth Porter, Membership Director
Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. at the Bloomington Public Library.
New to the League? Have a friend who is thinking about joining? Not a "newbie" but want to learn more? This session is for you.
| Help the League Support the YWCA
Surround Yourself with a Circle ~ May 8
Register here to join a League of Women Voters of McLean County table at the annual YWCA Circle Luncheon fundraiser on Thursday, May 8 from 11:30 - 1:00 at the DoubleTree, 10 Brickyard Drive, Bloomington. This is a free admission fundraiser for the Y.
The YWCA writes: “When you support YWCA, you amplify our ability to serve our community and our mission to change the power structures that determine the future. With your support, we will get up and do the work until injustice is rooted out, until institutions are transformed, until the world sees women, girls, and people of color the way we do: Equal. Powerful. Unstoppable.”
| | |  | |
Represent LWV of McLean County
Be a Delegate to the Illinois Convention ~ Naperville, IL, June 21
Every two years the LWV of Illinois holds its convention to chart the future course of our state level League. This is a terrific opportunity to meet members from around the state, learn more about the League's inner workings, and help share the LWVIL direction and choose its leadership.
Delegates will represent the LWV of McLean County, vote on the positions, program, bylaws, budget, and board for the new biennium. We are awaiting more details from the LWVIL on the convention agenda. Sponsorship for delegate registration and travel will be available and potentially for other expenses once we learn more convention details. It is also possible to be a sponsored delegate remotely if you are unable to travel.
To become a delegate, use the link below to register on our event page and you will be contacted. We have five delegate openings (plus our incoming president), and two alternates, so selection is on a first-come basis. Members are able to attend as non-delegates, either in person or remotely; more information about that will be coming soon. (Note: this registration page is for those interested in being delegates only; a separate registration process for attending the event itself will be published shortly.)
| McLean County Jail Review Committee Members Sought
The ACLU is seeking to reconstitute the Jail Review Committee. It was active for many years, and League of Women Voters of McLean County members participated. While on the committee, members would serve as independent decision makers, rather than as spokespersons for the organization appointing them.
The purposes of the committee as stated in the bylaws are:
1) Identify areas of concern which may exist regarding the conditions within the McLean County Jail, and the general administration of that facility.
2) Bring these areas of concern to the attention of the jail administration and other public officials who are in a position to resolve them
3) Recommend solutions to the problems that have been identified.
4) Seek the support of other organizations and the public at large in addressing these areas of concern.
5) Advocate educational and socialization programs designed to aid inmates in their re-entry into community life.
6) Assist in educating the public regarding matters pertinent to the jail.
The committee historically met in March, May, July, September and November. Other details about committee meetings are yet to be determined.
If you are interested in becoming a LWVMC member of this committee please contact Laurie Wollrab at president@lwvmclean.org using Jail Review Committee as the subject line. If you have questions about the committee, contact the Steering Committee of the local ACLU at acluofcentralillinois@gmail.com.
| | Save the Mahomet Aquifer!
Recap of April Program
by Laurie Bergner, Education/Community Information Director
"Our Water at Stake: Saving the Mahomet Aquifer" was our community information program this month. One of the biggest environmental issues facing downstate Illinois is the Mahomet Aquifer. Our three presenters made an excellent case for saving the Mahomet Aquifer.
Program presenters, from left: Kayla McGhee, Susan Adams, and Don Carlson.
| | | Deliberative Dialogue participants, photo credit Henrique Villela, Assistant Director for Public Relations and Marketing, Illinois State University.
| Diverse Perspectives Discussed
Deliberative Dialogues at ISU
by Kyle Ciani, Voter Services Director
On March 20, Illinois State University’s Center for Civic Engagement hosted a campus-community Deliberative Dialogue in Milner Library that brought together students, faculty and staff, alumni, and professionals in the community in thoughtful and pointed discussion. Discussing in groups of 10-12 people, the thirty-five participants considered paths to developing a desired political system and methods to achieve those ideals.
League members in attendance included Angela Bonnell, Georgene Chissell, Kyle Ciani, Chad Kahl, and Faith Russell. Attendees agreed the multi-generational conversation highlighted the diverse perspectives and available options. Chad noted, “It is really exciting to have that mix of people–campus and community members, college students and older–together to discuss a challenging issue. Just think of how better off we would be if our national politics focused on mutual respect and problem solving.”
Event partners included the League of Women Voters of McLean County, Bloomington-Normal NAACP, Milner Library, and the Chi Beta Beta Chapter and Pi Beta Chapter, an unincorporated association of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. | | Full Houses at Consolidated Election Forums
League Helped With Candidate Forums
by Kyle Ciani
Members of the Voter Services Committee (VSC) assisted at two events in support of the Consolidated Election on April 1, where the public could meet and engage with candidates and their platform ideas. On March 4, WGLT hosted the Candidate Open House and Mayoral Forum in ISU’s Brown Ballroom at the Bone Student Center. On March 22, the Bloomington-Normal NAACP and the Bloomington Revivalists: Strong Towns BloNo hosted a Candidate Forum at the Bloomington Public Library (pictured left). Candidates at both events experienced full rooms of voters interested in learning positions and policies.
Thank you to VSC members Angela Bonnell, Georgene Chissell, Kyle Ciani, Chad Kahl, Jim Russell, Jodi Sherman, Shay Simmons, Mark and Peggy Swerdlik, and Laurie Wollrab for engaging with candidates and the voting public through Vote411 assistance and these events.
| | | Coming Events & Meetings ~ Save the Dates
by Beth Porter
LWV of McLean County Annual Meeting will be held Thurs, June 12, 6:00 PM, Bloomington Public Library. Our annual meeting is a time to celebrate the past year, recognize our accomplishments, and turn our attention to the coming year. Agenda and expected business items are pending.
| | Get Your League T-Shirt
Order your T-shirt today! Just click on the button to take you to our League Storefront.
T-Shirt | | | League of Women Voters of McLean County
P.O. Box 932, Normal, IL 61761
Email: info@lwvmclean.org
Web: lwvmclean.org | |