League of Women Voters of Naperville

Friday Book Club - Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning
2024-03-15 12:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York)
by Liz Cheney
Register for our March Book Club meeting!
From Goodreads:
A gripping first-hand account from inside the halls of Congress as Donald Trump and his enablers betrayed the American people and the Constitution–leading to the violent attack on our Capitol on January 6th, 2021—by the House Republican leader who dared to stand up to it.
In the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump and many around him, including certain other elected Republican officials, intentionally breached their oath to the they ignored the rulings of dozens of courts, plotted to overturn a lawful election, and provoked a violent attack on our Capitol. Liz Cheney, one of the few Republican officials to take a stand against these efforts, witnessed the attack first-hand, and then helped lead the Congressional Select Committee investigation into how it happened. In Oath and Honor , she tells the story of this perilous moment in our history, those who helped Trump spread the stolen election lie, those whose actions preserved our constitutional framework, and the risks we still face.

A Panel Discussion with Almost and New Voters
2024-03-13 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
Our future depends on our youth!
Our monthly Ideas Forum this month is a panel discussion with students from the Naperville North High School Junior State of America. They’ll be talking about voting and youth in government.
Let’s find out what they are thinking!
Junior State of America (JSA) is a nationwide nonprofit, nonpartisan political debate and activism student-led organization in high schools. JSA aims to help high school students acquire leadership skills and the knowledge necessary to be effective debaters and civic participants.
It helps them experience the power of politics, the challenges and responsibilities of leadership, and the journey towards a better democracy.
This event is free, but please register at https://rebrand.ly/march13-ideas.

11th District Democratic Primary Candidate Forum
2024-02-28 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
Are you Rev’d up for the March 19th Election? Register for the 11th Congressional District Democratic Primary Candidate Forum
Make plans to join us to learn about candidates for the 11th Congressional District seat before you cast your vote on March 19th.

The Democratic Candidate Forum will be held virtually via Zoom on February 28th at 7:00 pm. Candidates Rep. Bill Foster and Qasim Rashid are expected to attend.
Register for the Candidate Forum
We encourage all voters in the 11th Congressional District to visit VOTE411.org and the candidate websites to learn more about them.
The forum will be streamed live on Facebook, so be sure to follow us for more details!
Are you in the 11th Congressional District? Check this map!

Tuesday Book Club - Carry On: Reflections for a New Generation
2024-02-20 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
by John Lewis
Register for our February Book Club meeting!
From Goodreads:
*National Bestseller*
A brilliant and empowering collection of final reflections and words of wisdom from venerable civil rights champion, the late Congressman John Lewis at the end of his remarkable life.
Congressman John Lewis was a paragon of the Civil Rights Movement and political leadership for decades. A hero we won’t soon forget, Lewis was a beacon of hope and a model of humility whose invocation to “good trouble” continues to inspire millions across our nation. In his last months on earth, even while battling cancer, he dedicated time to share his memories, beliefs, and advice—exclusively immortalized in these pages—as a message to the generations to come.
Organized by topic ranging from justice, courage, faith, mentorship, and forgiveness to the protests and the pandemic, and many more besides, Carry On collects the late Congressman’s thoughts for readers to draw on whenever they are in need of guidance. John Lewis had great confidence in our future, even as he died in the midst of one of our country’s most challenging years to date. With this book, he performs that crucial passing of the baton, empowering us to live up to the legacy he has left us with his perseverance, dedication, profound insight, and unwavering ability to see the good in life.

Friday Book Club - Carry On: Reflections for a New Generation
2024-02-16 12:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York)

March Primary Candidate Forum
2024-01-30 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
Are you Rev’d up for the March 19th Election? Register for the 11th Congressional District Candidate Forum

Make plans to join us to learn about candidates for the 11th Congressional District seat before you cast your vote on March 19th.
The Republican Candidate Forum will be held virtually via Zoom on January 30th at 7:00 pm. Candidates Jerry Evans, Susan Hathaway-Altman, and O. Kent Mercado are expected to attend.
Register for the Republican Candidate Forum

Due to legislative calendar uncertainty, the Democratic Primary forum between Rep. Bill Foster and Qasim Rashid will not occur on January 31st, as previously reported.

We encourage all voters in the 11th Congressional District to visit VOTE411.org and the candidate websites to learn more about them.
The forum will be streamed live on Facebook, so be sure to follow us for more details!
Are you in the 11th Congressional District? Check this map!

Tuesday Book Club - A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them
2024-01-23 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
by Timothy Eagan
Register for our January Book Club meeting!
From Goodreads:
A historical thriller by the Pulitzer and National Book Award-winning author that tells the riveting story of the Klan’s rise to power in the 1920s, the cunning con man who drove that rise, and the woman who stopped them.
The Roaring Twenties–the Jazz Age–has been characterized as a time of Gatsby frivolity. But it was also the height of the uniquely American hate group, the Ku Klux Klan. Their domain was not the old Confederacy, but the Heartland and the West. They hated Blacks, Jews, Catholics and immigrants in equal measure, and took radical steps to keep these people from the American promise. And the man who set in motion their takeover of great swaths of America was a charismatic charlatan named D.C. Stephenson.
Stephenson was a magnetic presence whose life story changed with every telling. Within two years of his arrival in Indiana, he’d become the Grand Dragon of the state and the architect of the strategy that brought the group out of the shadows – their message endorsed from the pulpits of local churches, spread at family picnics and town celebrations. Judges, prosecutors, ministers, governors and senators across the country all proudly proclaimed their membership. But at the peak of his influence, it was a seemingly powerless woman – Madge Oberholtzer – who would reveal his secret cruelties, and whose deathbed testimony finally brought the Klan to their knees.
A FEVER IN THE HEARTLAND marries a propulsive drama to a powerful and page-turning reckoning with one of the darkest threads in American history.

Friday Book Club - A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them
2024-01-19 12:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York)

Meet Dr. Anita Thomas, the 111th President of North Central College
2023-12-13 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
Join us for our monthly Ideas Forum meeting via Zoom to meet Dr. Anita Thomas!
Dr. Thomas is the first woman and the first person of color to serve as North Central College’s president. At her installation ceremony, she said, “Since its founding, North Central College opened its doors wide to educate both men and women for service, to move for what is right and for the importance of social justice. Given that history, it is fitting and appropriate that the College has selected a woman of color to lead.” Join us as we discuss the importance of North Central College to our community and how she sees her role.
Read more about Dr. Thomas.
This event is free, but please register.

Tuesday Book Group - The Constitution in Jeopardy: An Unprecedented Effort to Rewrite Our Fundamental Law and What We Can Do About It
2023-11-21 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
By Russ Feingold & Peter Prindiville. Our book groups are offered twice a month. Register for the 11/21 event.

Friday Book Group - The Constitution in Jeopardy: An Unprecedented Effort to Rewrite Our Fundamental Law and What We Can Do About It
2023-11-17 12:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
By Russ Feingold & Peter Prindiville. Our book groups are offered twice a month. Register for the 11/17 event.

Lower Your Carbon Footprint and Cast a Carbon Shadow: Meaningful Personal Climate Action
2023-11-08 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
Join us for our November Ideas Forum!
If you’re worried about climate change, you probably want to take steps in your own life to reduce your carbon footprint.
Maybe you’ve already bought an electric vehicle or cut back on red meat. But what really has the most impact?
Cathy Clarkin, executive director of Accelerate Climate Solutions and co-chair of Naperville Environment and Sustainability Task Force (NEST) will address various ways you can reduce carbon pollution from your home and lifestyle, and share information on available incentives to save you money.
She’ll also discuss the concept of a carbon shadow – how you can look beyond your own personal actions to create broader change to address the climate crisis.

This event is free, but please register.

About our speaker: Cathy Clarkin is an education facilitator, environmental chemist, co-founder of Accelerate Climate Solutions, as well as co-chair of the Naperville Environment and Sustainability Task Force.

Tuesday Book Group - On Account of Race: The Supreme Court, White Supremacy, and the Ravaging of African American Voting Rights
2023-10-24 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
By Lawrence Goldstone. Our book groups are offered twice a month. Register for the 10/24 event.

Friday Book Group - On Account of Race: The Supreme Court, White Supremacy, and the Ravaging of African American Voting Rights
2023-10-20 12:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
By Lawrence Goldstone. Our book groups are offered twice a month. Register for the 10/20 event.

Learn About Ranked Choice Voting from FairVote Illinois
2023-10-11 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
Join us for our monthly Ideas Forum meeting via Zoom.
This program will detail the process and benefits of ranked choice voting, current efforts in Illinois, and allow time for Q&A.
Ranked choice voting allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. With ranked choice voting (RCV) candidates must compete to earn the second and third choice votes from their opponents’ supporters, resulting in more civil campaigns.

FairVote Illinois is a nonpartisan 501(c3) that is made up of volunteers who are supporters of democracy, who value freedom and fairness in our elections, and who are passionate about implementing ranked choice voting in Illinois.

This event is free, but please register.

Rebecca Williams lives in Willowbrook, IL and gets to work full-time on voting reform as the Statewide Organizer for FairVote Illinois. She started working in political organizing in 2017 and ran the successful ranked choice voting campaign for Evanston last Fall, making them the first municipality in Illinois to adopt ranked choice voting. She has a passion for working on nonpartisan policy that brings systemic change.

Naperville's Coal Problem and What We Can Do About It - N.E.S.T September Community Meeting
2023-09-25 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S Eagle Street, Naperville
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Scott Allen from Citizen’s Utility Board (CUB) on how Illinois is progressing on transitioning from coal to clean energy and how Naperville can participate. Naperville Environment and Sustainability Task Force (NEST) leaders will provide background information on our current electricity contract and how residents of Naperville can advocate for the decarbonization of our electricity supply.
Naperville can move to clean energy with your help! Demonstrate to our elected officials community support for reducing carbon pollution.
This event will be held on September 25, 2023, at the Naperville Municipal Center, Naperville City Council Chambers from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This event is free, but please let us know you’ll be attending by registering, as we anticipate a large crowd.

Tuesday Book Group - No Choice: The Destruction of Roe v. Wade and the Fight to Protect a Fundamental American Right
2023-09-19 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
By Becca Andrews. Our book groups are offered twice a month. Register for the 9/19 event.

Friday Book Group - No Choice: The Destruction of Roe v. Wade and the Fight to Protect a Fundamental American Right
2023-09-15 12:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
By Becca Andrews. Our book groups are offered twice a month. Register for the 9/15 event.

How Our State Legislators Get the Work Done
2023-09-13 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Zoom Meeting
Come to this panel discussion with two of Naperville’s state legislators–Senator Laura Ellman and Representative Janet Yang Rohr. They will discuss how they approach legislative sessions, sponsorship of bills, and how they interact with constituents and other legislators during the legislative sessions.
We all learned in high school civics how a bill moves through both chambers of the legislature. It is a fairly simple process; each chamber passes the bill and reconvenes together through a special committee if the bills differ. Once the compromise is reached, the bill is sent to the Governor for signature. In reality, the process is more complex, requiring hours of research, balancing of interests, and, often, special legislative sessions.
Join us! Please register here.
About the Speakers
Sen. Laura Ellman was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 2018. She currently serves on the following committees: Agriculture; Appropriations–Finance & Revenue; Energy & Public Utilities; Financial Institutions; Next Generation of Energy; Redistricting–DuPage; Next Generation of Nuclear Energy; and Transportation.

Janet Yang Rohr. Rep. Yang Rohr was first elected from District 41 to the Illinois House in 2021. Rep. Yang Rohr serves on the following committees: Appropriations -Elementary, Secondary and Higher Education; Elementary & Secondary Education–School Curriculum and Policies and Administration, Licensing and Charters; Health Care Availability and Access; Personnel & Pensions; and Small Business: Technical Innovation.
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An Introduction to City Boards and Commissions
2023-08-23 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | City Hall Meeting Rooms A and B, 400 S. Eagle Street, Naperville
The City of Naperville and the League of Women Voters will host an information session, “An Introduction to City Boards and Commissions” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23, in Meetings Rooms A & B of the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St.

The hour-long presentation will cover the importance of boards and commissions to City governance and introduce the new Boards and Commissions Guide. Attendees will learn how the application and appointment process works should they wish to become involved. The session includes an introduction by the League of Women Voters, a presentation by Mayor Scott A. Wehrli, and a question-and-answer session. It is free and open to the public.

Tuesday Book Group - The Scheme: How the Right Wing Used Dark Money to Capture the Supreme Court
2023-08-22 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
By Sheldon Whitehouse. Our book groups are offered twice a month. Register for the 8/22 event.

Civic Engagement for Sustainability and Climate Action
2023-08-21 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S Eagle Street, Naperville
Join the Naperville Environment and Sustainability Task Force (N.E.S.T) on August 21 for a Community Meeting about Civic Engagement for Sustainability and Climate Action
Mimi Cowan, former chair of the Will County Board, will lead NEST in a discussion on civic engagement to create a more sustainable community.
We all can be a part of addressing climate change if we work together as a community. Please come and invite your friends! RSVP here.

Location:
Naperville Municipal Center
Meeting Room B, Lower Level
6:30-8:00 PM

You can also participate via Zoom if you cannot attend the August Community Meeting in person. Register here to attend virtually.

Friday Book Group - The Scheme: How the Right Wing Used Dark Money to Capture the Supreme Court
2023-08-18 12:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
By Sheldon Whitehouse. Our book groups are offered twice a month. Register for the 8/18 event.

Tuesday Book Group - Lady Justice: Women, the Law, and the Battle to Save America
2023-07-25 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
By Dahlia Lithwick. Our book groups are offered twice a month. Register for the 7/25 event.

Friday Book Group - Lady Justice: Women, the Law, and the Battle to Save America
2023-07-21 12:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
By Dahlia Lithwick. Our book groups are offered twice a month. Register for the 7/21 event.

Civic Awareness Series: How the World Views America
2023-07-20 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Wheaton Library, 225 N. Cross St., Wheaton, IL
Join us on Thursday, July 20th, from 7-8:30 to learn more about the DuPage County study and preliminary findings regarding affordable housing in the County.
This is a hybrid event both in person at the Wheaton Public Library and Zoom.
DuPage County Board Members Liz Chaplin and Sam Tornatore, co-chairs of the ad hoc committee of the Dupage County Board on Affordable Housing, will present the preliminary findings of the committee as the County Looks to the future of Affordable Housing.
The committee has begun to study a definition of affordability, evaluating the impact of local County policies on current development opportunities, analyzing actions of past Boards that attempted to increase the affordable housing supply, and determining what resources are available to address the needs.
Please register whether attending in person or Zoom.
If you will be attending via Zoom, after registering, you will receive a confirmation email and reminders containing information about joining the Zoom program.

Liz Chaplin

Sam Tornatore

Tuesday Book Group - We the Women: The Unstoppable Mothers of the Equal Rights Amendment
2023-06-20 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
By Julie C. Suk. Our book groups are offered twice a month. Register for the 6/20 event.

Friday Book Group - We the Women: The Unstoppable Mothers of the Equal Rights Amendment
2023-06-16 12:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
By Julie C. Suk. Our book groups are offered twice a month. Register for the 6/16 event.

Annual Meeting and Luncheon
2023-06-03 11:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano, 2752 Showplace Drive, Naperville, IL
Make your reservation now for our Annual Meeting and Luncheon on June 3rd!
Newly elected City Councilwoman (and League member) Allison Longenbaugh will be our keynote speaker at our annual meeting and luncheon.
This is a don’t miss event; we’ll be electing officers, celebrating our accomplishments, and approving our upcoming priorities. Your input is vital. Join us!
This event will be held at Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano from 11-2 pm. The cost is $35, which is paid when you register.

Tuesday Book Group - Presumed Guilty:How the Supreme Court Empowered the Police and Subverted Civil Rights
2023-05-23 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
By Erwin Chemerinsky. Our book groups are offered twice a month. Register for the 5/23 event.
