Issues and Advocacy

Voting policies should make voting open to as many citizens as possible and should make registering to vote as easy as possible.

• We support automatic voter registration (now implemented in Illinois).

• The League is working with Chicago Votes and Cook County Jail to make sure that inmates are aware of their voting rights and can exercise their right to vote.

Educating the public on their options

Elections should accurately represent the wishes of the citizenry.

• We support abolishing the electoral college (and voted it a priority issue at our national convention in June 2018).

• We are against gerrymandering and promote redistricting in areas where districts are not representative of the population.

One of the first “wins” the LWV ever achieved

Every U.S. resident should have access to affordable, quality health care, including birth control and the privacy to make reproductive choices.  

Immigration policies should promote reunification of immediate families; meet economic, business and employment needs; and be responsive to those facing political persecution or humanitarian crises. The U.S. should also provide integration resources.

Common-sense gun control policies should be implemented to reduce the danger that guns pose to society.

• We support restrictions on semi-automatic/assault weapons.

• We support gun registration, licensing, permits, and education.

• We support restrictions on the further manufacture, sale, transportation and importation for private ownership of handguns.

As citizens of the world we must protect our planet from the physical, economic and public health effects of climate change while also providing pathways to economic prosperity.

• We are part of two Inter-League Organizations that have a specific issue focus on water and the environment: LWV Lake Michigan Region and LWV Upper Mississippi River Region.

• We support the exclusive use of Chicago's lakefront and parks for public recreation, with pedestrian access, minimal building and adequate funding for maintenance and development.

Equal rights should be granted to all people regardless of sex.

• We support the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.

• We support action to bring laws into compliance with the ERA by eliminating or amending those laws that have the effect of discriminating on the basis of sex; promoting laws that support the goals of the ERA; and strengthening the enforcement of such existing laws.

Social reform is an organized, gradual movement aimed at correcting specific social injustices, inequalities, or abuses within society—such as labor exploitation, lack of education, or gender inequality—rather than overturning the entire system. It focuses on policy and normative changes to improve societal functioning and living conditions. [1, 2, 3]

Key Aspects of Social Reform:

• Goal: To amend, improve, or change laws, institutions, and social behaviors.

• Method: Often involves voluntary associations, advocacy, lobbying, and awareness campaigns.

• Context: Frequently arises to protect vulnerable populations (e.g., children, women, workers)