League of Women Voters offers information, opportunities

Politics have been foremost on most people's minds recently. We have seen inaugurations, investigations, indictments and impeachments making the news.

There is one volunteer organization in our community whose mission it is to give the voter something that also begins with the letter "I" - information.

The League of Women Voters of the Carpentersville-Dundee Area was organized in 1970 with 49 charter members and has been serving local citizens for almost 40 years.

Communications Chairwoman Bonnie Kalaway said, "The League's motto is 'Democracy is not a spectator sport' and our League has worked hard to encourage not only a strong voter turnout through voter registration drives; but, also informed voters through sponsoring Candidate Forums.

"At these forums voters have the opportunity to meet and question those people who are running for office."

We have a primary election scheduled for Feb. 24 for the offices of Dundee Township. Theresa Peterson, voter service chairwoman, has scheduled a candidates forum from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 31 at the Dundee Township Library, 555 Barrington Ave., East Dundee.

"We know that early voting begins on Feb. 2, so we wanted to have our forum before the time that voters would be allowed to cast their ballot," Peterson said.

"These forums are held only for candidates running for contested positions. As there are no Democrats vying for the same position in the primary, this will be a Republican primary forum."

There are three candidates for Dundee Township supervisor: incumbent Sue Harney, Don Rage and Pamela L. Griffin; two candidates for road commissioner: incumbent Larry Braasch and David B. Reese; six candidates for township board members: incumbents Chuck Behm, David Edwards and Ken Schaffer plus Paul Lanspa, Margaret O. Scarpelli and JoAnn Fritz.

There will be two new faces vying for the important position of township assessor as longtime Assessor Dan McMahon has chosen not to run again. They are Lee Barrett and Michael Bielak. All have been invited to speak and fill out their qualifications for a voter's guide that will be available at the Saturday forum.

"There will be another major election on April 7 when the winners of the primary will face off," Peterson said. "Also in that election there will be the candidates for local village boards, municipal boards and school boards.

"As early voting for that election will be March 16, the League hopes to hold other candidate forums in various villages during the first week in March."

As I promised that I would try to highlight volunteer opportunities in our community, it seems most appropriate to write a few words about our local League of Women Voters. When I first moved here in the early 1980s, the League had over 80 members. It conducted local and national studies, making the public aware of everything from the impact of growth on Dundee Township to how the United Nations worked.

The League had an observer at every village, township and school board meeting making sure that the public was informed and open meeting acts were enforced. Many members were designated voter registrars; and when sent by the Kane County Clerk, they registered voters at local high schools, churches, businesses, libraries, grocery stores, Sun City and fast food restaurants.

Early members used the League to learn more about the workings of government and were inspired to run for office themselves. League members have been Kane County commissioners, township supervisors, village presidents and village clerks. They have served as board members and president of Community Unit District 300, board members of Elgin Community College District 509, and Dundee Township's library and park district.

Sadly, the years and changing priorities have seen a drop in League membership so that there are now fewer than 20 members. If any state could use more insight and oversight, that would surely be Illinois.

The League is open to both men and women. Dues are $50 per year. Meetings are as needed and help could definitely be used at the multiple local candidates forums that will be held over the next few months.

If you would like to learn more about this organization, call League President Gretchen Matthews at (847) 426-0748 or member Bonnie Kalaway at (847) 426-0326.