Welcome to the League of Women Voters of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Area

Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. For More Than 100 Years.

National Voter Registration Day

September 15, 2026

Want to help out locally?

Contact Carol Russ at carol.lee.russ@gmail.com

VP Voter Services

Exciting Addition to Our Event

We are delighted that Sania Irwin, LWVUS President, will help us celebrate our 100 years of grassroots activity. Sania will speak briefly about civic engagement and answer questions. She is looking forward to meeting many of us personally and thanking Susan Garrett for her many years of making a positive difference.

Come celebrate 100 years!

Join us at our afternoon social on Sunday, Sept.13, 2026 from 2:00 – 4:00pm at Glen Rowan House, 500 N. Sheridan Rd., Lake Forest. Members, guests, and friends are invited to enjoy this anniversary celebration marking 100 years of nonpartisan civic engagement. The highlight is the presentation of the Civic Engagement Award to the Honorable Susan Garrett for her extensive contributions in community service. Enjoy the camaraderie and refreshments while hearing some in-side stories from her and others.

The award was first given in 2017 to Margaret Hart.

Help launch the League into the next 100 years. Invite interested friends!

Registration fee is $10.00. Deadline is Sept.6.

Questions? Email LWVLFLB@gmail.com

Together, let's learn, discuss, and take ACTION!

This is democracy in action, so be sure to join us - and bring a friend. We meet at 7 PM at Lake Forest Place. See calendar above for dates and further details. No registration required.

We hope you'll join us! Use the link below to register.

Questions? Contact Wyn at wyn.cain@comcast.net

Celebrate 100 Years of Civic Engagement featuring Susan Garrett - 9/13/2026

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We're using the League in Action app to organize and take action—here’s how to sign up:

Download the app on your cell phone (available via the App Store and Google Play)
Sign in with your Google or Facebook account, or create an account with your email
Search for the League of Women Voters Illinois on the app and click the Join button
Scroll through the feed to see all of the ways you can support LWV's efforts

Vote411 for all your voting needs!

Vote411.org

Birds, Butterflies and Blooms: The Wonder of Nature in Your Own Backyard

This program took place on May 3, 2026, at Lake Forest Country Day School and was sponsored by LWV of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Area.

Dr. Doug Tallamy, renowned expert on natural ecosystems, and co-founder of Home-grown National Park, presents insights into surprising natural processes unfolding in our own yards. Dr. Tallamy is an entomologist, conservationist, and professor at the University of Delaware, whose work has transformed our understanding of the relationship between native plants and wildlife.

Click Here for the LWVUS Member Portal

Our Year In Review: 2025

JANUARY - Let’s Connect, an informal get-together in local coffee shops continued, the archival
work continued, and the LWV -LF/LB collection is now available online at LFLB History Center
FEBRUARY - Program Planning reviewed positions held by LWV IL and LWV LFLB, members
attended LWV IL’s Issues Briefing in Naperville and on zoom
MARCH - LWV LFLB hosted “In League” a spotlight on sustainability in LF and LB with the
commission chairs from LF and LB governments, the voter service committee hosted a
candidate forum for LB Elementary School candidates, LWV LC’s leadership for the Federal
Judiciary Study kicked off with an evening zoom with IL Supreme Court Justice Liz Rochford
APRIL - The program committee hosted a panel discussion of "Environmental Stewardship: The
Future of Public/Private Collaboration" at Gorton, LWVLFLB members attended Legislative
Interviews with Julie Morrison IL29th Senator and Bob Morgan IL 58th House Rep
MAY - LWV LFLB board prepared for the Annual Meeting
JUNE – Hosted LWV-LF/LB’s Annual Meeting, updated Nominating Systems Position, picnic with
the new/old board picnic, attended LWV IL’s very informative Biennial Convention
JULY – We marched in LB’s 4th of July parade and held board orientation
AUGUST - GVP zoom webinar prep on law enforcement and guns, marched in LF Day parade
and won 2nd place, wrote comment on City of LF’s suddden drop of oversight Legal Committee
SEPTEMBER – staffed ten sites for Voter Registration Day, GVP zoom webinar on the 2nd
Amendment
OCTOBER – GVP webinar on gun violence data, consensus meeting on LWV IL Gun Violence
Prevention position update, hosted member-led discussion on zoom of local nominating
systems group, members participated strongly in the No Kings Rallies at multiple sites
NOVEMBER – Fall kickoff event featuring County Clerk Anthony Vega, sponsored an
immigration talk featuring personal tales from our own LWV members
DECEMBER – Holiday Luncheon with LWV-LF history revue for 100th birthday including a
fundraiser and Catt Award, renewed the 501c3 vs c4 discussion to prep for annual meeting.
Ongoing efforts include the informal Let’s Connect meetups, a massive data entry preparatory
to the Vote411 voter guide launch in 2026, prep for the Defend Democracy Drop-In February
kick-off, continuing social media advocacy posts on Facebook and Instagram, and LWV-LF/LB’s
Voter newsletter – which has a fantastic open rate!

Who We Are and What We Do

The League of Women Voters believes responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people, 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, maintain an equitable and flexible system of taxation, and adopt domestic policies that facilitate the solution of international problems.

Voter information, education, registration, and support for voters.

Observation and study of local governmental entities. Issue-based advocacy in our community, in Illinois, and in Washington D.C.

Nonpartisan sponsorship of candidate debates and forums.

In-depth education about current issues facing voters in local, state, and national elections.