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Where we stand: LWV positions
How the League takes action
The LWVPR takes action at the local level based on LWVUS, LWVIL and LWVCC positions, as well as our own local positions.
League positions are determined by League studies. The League, at the National, State, or Local level, commits to studying an issue such as the electoral college (national), or Illinois charter schools (state) or home rule (local).
Under the guidelines provided by the League, we create a group that:
- studies the issue from all angles
- arrives at a consensus on the questions asked in the study
- writes a statement on our position
Then, the position is voted upon by the membership. If accepted, it becomes part of the LWV program for education, litigation, and advocacy efforts.
LWVPR Positions
Child Welfare
Support efforts to improve services of local agencies serving children and their families. Support efforts to increase day care services which will be affordable and available to all families in Park Ridge who may wish to use them.
Environmental Quality
Support community-wide recycling programs which encourage identification and implementation of improved and expanded recycling initiatives.
Education
Support efforts to preserve quality education in school districts 64 and 207.
Municipal Government
Support measures which will maintain and ensure an efficient city government responsive to the changing needs of the City of Park Ridge.
Expansion of Participation and Choice in City Council Elections:
- Park Ridge alderpersons should be paid the market rate
- The City of Park Ridge should continue exploring opportunities to streamline processes and allow alderpersons to work more efficiently
- The job description for Park Ridge alderpersons should be available to the public
- Formal training should be held for all new Park Ridge alderpersons, in addition to the mandatory training
- Citizens should be encouraged to motivate others to run for Park Ridge City Council, and identify ways that they can support mentorship efforts of leaders who may decide to run.
- LWVPR should include organized educational efforts in our annual program around opportunities to run for Park Ridge City Council and candidate filing
- Park Ridge citizens should be encouraged to engage in more respectful debate in-person and online.
Additional Highlighted Positions of the League with Regional and Local Relevance:
Criminal Justice
“The legitimacy of our criminal justice system rests on a foundation of transparency and
fairness, free from racial and other bias. All stakeholders—the police, the courts, the prison system, and the community—must bolster this foundation. The system’s purpose is to reduce crime and promote public safety. That purpose is better served by reformation of offenders and their reconciliation with the community, rather than mere retribution."
LWVPR participated in the consensus process for this position, expressing agreement with the positions proposed by the Illinois League of Women Voters in its 2020 Criminal Justice Reform Consensus Questions. Criminal justice reform will require changes in the culture and practices of the police, IDOC and our courts. We must also address some of the fundamental causes of crime and violence, including poverty, sub-standard housing and education, and the dearth of services for the mentally ill. Every change and program should be evidence-based and regularly evaluated for effectiveness, balancing costs and results.
Support for Housing Needs
LWVIL believes:
● The State should plan for adequate supplies of low and moderate-income housing.
● Builders of large developments and planned unit developments should be required to provide a
percentage of their units for low and moderate income housing.
● Some kind of fair-share plan should be developed so that every community will have a percentage of
low and moderate income housing, rather than having it concentrated in a few areas of the state.
This kind of housing should be attractive and diversified in design and should be subsidized by both
state and federal levels.
● The League believes an educational program is needed to explain the need for and concept of low
and moderate-income housing and that, when necessary, zoning laws should be revised to
accommodate such housing.
LWVPR members have supported LWVUS and LWVIL positions related to housing in various ways, including issuance of an official statement to the City Council of Park Ridge: “The League of Women Voters of Park Ridge encourages policies that provide a decent home and suitable living environment for every family. The League supports increasing the supply of affordable housing in our community.”
More Information on LWV Positions
Members of the LWVPR are also League members at the regional and national level. You can visit these websites for detailed descriptions of League positions. The LWVUS publication "Impact on Issues" and the LWVIL publication "Where We Stand" outlines positions in full detail. Our members can take local action on any of the positions put forth by: