| LWV April Education Meeting
Mahomet Aquifer is topic
Water is a precious commodity and when you don't have clean, fresh water on demand, you realize how important it is. April's education meeting is about the Mahomet Aquifer and is one most have not heard of. The Mahomet Aquifer provides fresh water to nearly one million downstate residents, 100 communities and the town of Normal. It is being threatened by a proposed deep injection of CO2 and there is no alternative water supply
To read more about the meeting and register for it, click on the button below. Invite your friends!
| | | | Statement of Support on Sales Tax Referendum
On the April 1 election ballot, McLean County school districts are asking voters to adopt a 1% countywide sales tax. The revenue could be used for school facility improvements, school safety and security, mental health support, and other specific uses. After study and discussion, the League concludes a "yes" vote is in the best interest of our county's students and taxpayers.
As part of our effort to inform voters, we offer information as to why we believe a "yes" vote is justified. Read our statement of support below.
| | | | Life After Prison
April's Drinks & Dialogue
Learn first hand what life is like after prison. The April 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 on April 16 at Gill Street Bar & Grill, 3002B Gill St., Bloomington. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m., dialogue from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. RSVP below.
| | | What Can You Do?
Follow up to February Drinks & Dialogue about homelessness
Verneice Prince sent a letter to Camille Taylor after she presented at the February Drinks and Dialogue.
"I am reaching out as a follow up to the presentation with the Women Voters League. I was so happy to have been able to present and share my story and hope that it made a difference."
| | Key Dates ~ April 1 Consolidated Election | January 2: First day to apply for a vote by mail ballot.
February 20: First day to vote early at the office of the election authority. First day for the election authority to mail an official ballot to registered voters within the United States.
March 4: Last day for regular (paper) voter registration.
March 5–April 1: Grace period registration and voting at election authority and early voting sites. | | March 16: Last day for online voter registration. Grace period registration is still available at election authority and early voting sites.
March 17: First day to vote early at permanent polling places.
March 27: Last day for election authority to receive vote by mail applications.
April 1: General election day! Polls open from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
| | | Election Judges Needed
Kathy Michael, McLean County Clerk, is looking for election judges for the April 1 election. If you are interested, please reach out to Kathy at her email or by phone at 309-888-4035. | Welcome to the League!
Five new members joined in February. Welcome Carole Myscofski, Cathy Norton, Vicki Robertson, Sheri Strohl, and Jami Walsh. | | | | New Membership Portal Open for Renewals
By Beth Porter, Membership Director
Our long-awaited new membership portal is now open for those who wish to renew or join.
While the portal is open, there have been some bumps along the way, delaying the anticipated all-member emails. We appreciate your patience as we go through this major system change.
| | | New Member Orientation
By Beth Porter, Membership Director
A new member orientation meeting will be offered every other month in 2025. Orientation meetings are focused on informing new and prospective League members about the League's history, structure, and ways to get involved; however, all members are welcome to attend and can invite a friend. The sessions will be one hour or less.
Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.
Bloomington Public Library, 205 E. Olive St., Bloomington, IL 61701
Conference Room, 2nd Floor
Upcoming Dates/Times
● Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.
● Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.
| Make a Difference
Serve on the League Board
Are you ready to defend democracy? By becoming an officer or director of the LWVMC, you have an opportunity to protect and expand voting rights, empower voters, and influence legislation through advocacy and education.
If you are ready to help, wish to nominate a friend, or have any questions about serving, please contact governance committee chair Cathy Pratt at info@lwvmclean.org. | | | Deliberative Dialogue: A House Divided
Thursday, March 20, 6-8 pm, Milner Library, Floor 6, Southwest Corner
The Center for Civic Engagement will host a campus-community Deliberative Dialogue on the topic "A House Divided: What would we have to give up to get the political system we want?" More details here.
Partners include Milner Library, League of Women Voters of McLean County, Bloomington-Normal NAACP and Chi Beta Beta Chapter and Pi Beta Chapter, an unincorporated association of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.
Students can register to participate on Redbird Life. Community members can register to participate using this form. Registration is encouraged, but not required. | | | League Helped With Candidate Forum
Mayoral candidates debated on March 4
The candidates for mayor for both Bloomington and Normal were asked questions at a forum co-hosted by WGLT and the League.
| | Photos above courtesy of WGLT. | Coming Events & Meetings ~ Save the Dates
by Beth Porter
LWV of McLean County Annual Meeting will be held Thurs, June 12, 5:30 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.
LWV of Illinois 2025 Convention will be held on Sat, June 21, with the in-person portion at the Northern Illinois University Naperville campus. Details and registration to come. All are welcome to attend.
| Project XV Museum Annual Gala
Event on April 4
League member and Project XV Museum board member Georgene Chissell asked us to share this community information.
The Project XV Museum Annual Gala - Uplift Voting Rights, will be held April 4 at 7pm at Project XV Museum, 1 W. Front Street, El Paso. Museum volunteers have worked tirelessly to memorialize David Strother's historic vote. This event offers us the opportunity to celebrate their labor and to further fund the cause. It will feature gourmet food, live entertainment, auction items from local businesses, and personal impact messages from contributors to the Project XV Museum mission.
| | 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 | |