False Confessions: Do They Happen? How? Why?

This LWV-LC program was held on Sunday, April 15, 2012, 2:00 p.m. at Holt Memorial Chapel, Lake Forest College, 555 N. Sheridan Rd., Lake Forest. Speaker include Juan Rivera, freed after 19 years behind bars for a crime it had long been obvious he could not have committed; Rob Warden, Executive Director, Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University School of Law; and Jed Stone, Criminal Defense Attorney. This powerful panel of experts discussed why people give false confessions, the situations under which false confessions can occur, and the impact false confessions have on our justice system and local communities.

Privatization Study

"Is Privatization the Answer?" is the title of a program and national study consensus to be held on Thursday, April 19, 1:30 p.m. at a private home. Drew Irvin, Lake Bluff Village Administrator, will speak about the village's record of privatization of services. Ann Hamlin and Liz Bradner, who both worked at Great Lakes Naval Station, will speak about their experiences at the federal level. A light luncheon will be served. After the presentations, members will discuss and answer the consensus questions provided by LWVUS. Call Happie Datt at 224-212-0885 if attending or with questions.

Scope of the Privatization Study:
The purpose of this study is to identify those parameters and policy issues to be considered in connection with proposals to transfer federal, state or local government services, assets and/or functions to the private sector. It will review the stated goals and the community impact of such transfers, and identify strategies to ensure transparency, accountability, and preservation of the common good.

LWVIL State of the State Luncheon

Sheila Simon, Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, will be the keynote speaker at LWVIL's annual State of the State luncheon on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at the Union League Club of Chicago. Tickets are $100 and can be bought online at www.LWVIL.org. Reservations are due by April 24. Doors open at 11:30. Call Mary at 847-295-1494 with questions or about carpooling. 

In addition to Ms. Simon’s participation, the League will present its Civic Participation Award to Emily Barr, President and General Manager, ABC7 Chicago. This award is given to recognize an individual, company or organization whose actions have made significant contributions to the public good in the League’s areas of priority. Under Ms. Barr’s leadership, ABC7 Chicago has done much to promote an informed electorate, a primary mission for the League.

Our Water in Peril

"Water, water, every where, nor any drop to drink" - let us hope the ancient mariner's verse will not apply to us 200 years later.

On Thursday, March 22, the League of Women Voters-Lake Forest/Lake Bluff, AAUW, and Lake Forest Open Lands Association co-sponsored the program "Our Water in Peril" to explain some of the water issues we face here in northeastern Illinois and in context to the worldwide plight. The three speakers were Judy Beck, Lake Michigan Manager, US EPA; Mike Adam, Senior Biologist, Lake County Health Department; and John Sentell, President, Lake Forest Open Lands Association. Watch the video below.

Click here for more LWV-LFLB news & recent events!