The League of Women Voters of Illinois Where We Stand 2019-2021 Program The League of Women Voters of Illinois 332 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 525 Chicago, IL 60604 Phone: 312-939-5935 [email protected] www.lwvil.org TABLE OF CONTENTS Forword 3 LWVIL Natural Resources Positions League Principles 3 Land Use: Comprehensive Policy 47 Action Foci 5 Developmental Impact Fees 48 REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT Large-Scale Livestock Facilities 49 LWVUS Positions & Illinois Action Pesticides 51 Voting Rights 6 Water-Great Lakes Ecosystem 52 Citizen’s Right to Vote 6 DC Self Government 6 SOCIAL POLICY Election Process 6 LWVUS Positions & Illinois Action Apportionment 6 Equality of Opportunity 56 Campaign Finance 6 Education 56 Selection of the President 11 Employment 56 Citizen Rights 11 Nondiscrimination 57 Right to Know and Participate 11 Fair Housing 57 Individual Liberties 12 Equal Rights 58 Reproductive Choices 12 Fiscal Policy 58 Congress and the Presidency 12 Health Care 59 LWVIL Government Positions Immigration 63 Constitutional Implementation/Amend. 16 Meeting Basic Human Needs 64 County Government Structure 20 Child Care 65 Consolidation of Governmental Units 21 Early Intervention for Children at Risk 65 State Election Laws 22 Violence Prevention 66 Registration and Elections 22 Gun Control 66 State Board of Elections 25 Urban Policy 66 Election Systems Criteria 26 Death Penalty 67 Term Limits 30 Sentencing Policy 67 State Redistricting 30 LWVIL Social Policy Positions Children’s Services 67 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Criminal Justice 73 LWVUS Positions & Illinois Action Death Penalty Abolition 78 United Nations 36 Gun Violence Prevention 80 Trade 36 Handgun Control 80 Relations with Development Countries 36 Assault Weapons Control 81 Arms Control 36 Immigration 83 Military Policy and Defense Spending 36 Income Assistance 86 Low and Moderate Income Housing 89 NATURAL RESOURCES Mental Health 90 LWVUS Positions & Illinois Action Schools 93 Resource Management 37 School Quality 93 Environmental Protection/Pollution Ctrl 38 School Finance 95 Air Quality 38 Higher Education Funding 95 Energy 40 Charter Schools 96 Land Use 42 State Fiscal Policies 102 Water Resources 42 Waste Management 44 Statement on Gambling 108 Action Guidelines for Local Leagues 109 Nuclear Issues 45 Public Participation 46 Agriculture Policy 46 2 FOREWORD Where We Stand 2019-2021 is the platform of the League of Women Voters of Illinois. It is a companion to Impact on Issues, the League of Women Voters of the United States’ program book. Taken together, these publications and the League Principles form the basis for all action taken by Illinois Leagues on state and national issues. PROGRAM: Where We Stand, covering the LWVIL state positions and the action foci adopted at the 2019 Convention, is designed to help local Leagues use the state program effectively. The material is organized into four topic sections: Representative Government, International Relations, Natural Resources and Social Policy, corresponding to the order they appear in Impact on Issues. Each section begins with a summary of relevant LWVUS positions and major action taken by Illinois Leagues under those positions. The Illinois LWV positions are then listed in full, followed by a brief historical background and recent action taken, with references to the interrelationship between positions. A summary, Positions in Brief, is included; local Leagues are encouraged to share this section with their members. PROCEDURES FOR TAKING ACTION: Local Leagues are encouraged to apply national and state positions to local and/or regional issues. Before taking action on national issues, local Leagues must consult with the LWVIL Issues and Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs at [email protected] and the national League. Before taking action on statewide issues, local Leagues must consult with the LWVIL Issues and Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs. On regional issues, local Leagues must consult with all affected Leagues. See “Action Guidelines for Local Leagues” for consultation information. PURPOSE: The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots, multi-issue organization. Any person who subscribes to the purposes and policies of the League, male or female, may become a member of the League. The League’s purposes are: • To establish positions on public policy through member participation and agreement. • To take concerted actions that secure policies consistent with League positions. • To enhance citizen participation in federal, state and local government decisions. • To increase citizen participation in the election process. LEAGUE PRINCIPLES The League of Women Voters Believes: • In representative government and in the individual liberties established in the Constitution of the United States. • That democratic government depends upon the informed and active participation of its citizens and requires that governmental bodies protect the citizen's right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible. 3 • That every citizen should be protected in the right to vote; that every person should have access to free public education that provides equal opportunity for all; and that no person or group should suffer legal, economic or administrative discrimination. • That efficient and economical government requires competent personnel, the clear assignment of responsibility, adequate financing and coordination among the different agencies and levels of government. • That responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people; that government should maintain an equitable and flexible system of taxation, promote the conservation and development of natural resources in the public interest, share in the solution of economic and social problems that affect the general welfare, promote a sound economy and adopt domestic policies that facilitate the solution of international problems. • That cooperation with other nations is essential in the search for solutions to world problems and that the development of international organization and international law is imperative in the promotion of world peace. The League of Women Voters of Illinois is committed to the principle that amendments to the federal Constitution should require only a simple majority rather than a 3/5 majority for ratification in Illinois. The federal ratification process requires approval by 2/3 of both houses of Congress and approval by 3/4 of the state legislatures for an amendment to be ratified. We agree that these stringent requirements provide sufficient protection for our Constitution. This interpretation would apply only to the federal Constitution. Action Under Principles: The Principles are "concepts of government" to which the League subscribes. According to the LWVUS Bylaws, they serve as authorization for adoption of national, state and local positions and as a basis for taking action at the national, state and local levels. However, because the Principles are broad in scope, action based on Principles alone should be undertaken with caution. It is suggested that any action on the Principles be taken in conjunction with present League positions to which they apply and on which member agreement and understanding are known to exist. LWVIL President: Allyson Haut Copyright 2019 by The League of Women Voters of Illinois, 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite #634, Chicago, Edited by LWVIL Issues Specialists Contributors: IL 60604 Ann Courter, Janet Craft, Krista Grimm, Jan phone: 312/939-5935 fax: 312/939-6887 Kay, Janet Kittlaus, Laura Kratz, Paula Lawson, e-mail:[email protected] website: www.lwvil.org Kathryn Nesburg, Di Niesman, Margaret O’Hara, Jean Pierce, Kim Reed, Mary Klonowski, Jane Ballengee, Sharon Alter 4 LWVIL Action Foci for 2019-21 Immigration (in alphabetical order) Redistricting Adopted by Delegates at the June, 2019 Convention Affordable Housing LWVIL Position Update Abolish Electoral College At the 2019 convention, a study was extended Census to update the Criminal Justice position Environment Fiscal: Graduated Rate Income Tax Gun Violence Prevention LWVUS REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT POSITIONS Summary of League of Women Voters of the United States Positions and Major Action by the Illinois League Complete LWVUS Positions in Impact on Issues. LWVUS Position: Promote an open governmental system that is The second phase of the project included representative, accountable and responsive. research done by LWVIL staff who interviewed political science and policy LWVIL Action experts for their views on the process and 2003-2005: Democracy Project whether they saw opportunities for LWVIL approved a recommendation from the meaningful public input. LWVIL used this Issues and Action Committee to assess how information to formulate a survey on the well Illinois citizens were truly represented legislative process for 2005 legislative by their elected officials after the Illinois interviews. The Democracy Project House allowed over 250 shell bills to advance Committee also interviewed the legislative to third reading with little description of leaders. In both sets of interviews, opinions substance during the Spring Session. 26 of were divided as to how well the system was those shell bills were then used as vehicles for running. substantial legislation - including budget In spring 2005, local League members legislation - that denied citizens and many conducted their annual legislative interviews legislators time for input. Consistent with the using the legislative process questionnaire.