Events and Programs
All of our programs are free and open to the public.
All of our programs are free and open to the public.
April Drinks & Dialogue Recap
Friendly Tap buzzed with the energy of 23 attendees eager to delve into the intricacies of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Dawn Walker, the esteemed Chief of Staff for Water Reclamation Commissioner Davis, and Matthew Estenssoro, a renowned environmental law expert, graced the stage to share their profound insights. They illuminated the audience with a rich understanding of the history and functioning of our water and waste system. A standout moment was the discourse on the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, the largest in the world. Attendees were enthralled by the ingenious methods employed to test waste during the COVID-19 pandemic, pinpointing neighborhood hotspots. The duo also shed light on the ongoing efforts to combat flooding issues and treated the audience to a virtual tour of the impressive deep tunnel system. In a heartwarming gesture towards environmental conservation, attendees were gifted wildflower seeds, encouraging them to create their sanctuaries for bees and butterflies. As the formal part of the evening drew to a close, the fellowship in the room remained high, with several lingering to enjoy live music and conversation. The event not only imparted valuable knowledge but also fostered a strong sense of community among those dedicated to environmental sustainability.
April Second Tuesday Recap
On April 9, league members were engaged in information shared by Oak Park Village President, Vicki Scaman, and Seven Generations Ahead Director, Colleen Feeny, about the Cross Community Climate Collaborative (C4). This collaborative group, now of 14 communities, including Oak Park, River Forest, Broadview, Forest Park and other surrounding communities, and two environmental consultants-Seven Generations Ahead and Urban Efficiency Group, strives to utilize grants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 and 100% by 2050, and reduce climate change impact on everyone: those with fewer resources, BIPOC and non-minority communities. These goals are being reached through education and equitable strategies connecting the various economic, racial and ethnic make-up of the communities. Projects include composting at schools, e-charging stations, styrofoam and plastic reduction, and green tech use for lawns. Thought is not only given to the projects themselves, but how the projects will impact workers and residents. For instance, when exploring the requirement of electric tools for lawn care, thought was given to how small landscape businesses would be affected. Would they be pushed out of C4 communities? Will they be replaced by the large, commercial companies that can afford the new requirements? Thank you to our speakers for the informative, thought-provoking presentation!
On April 9, league members were engaged in information shared by Oak Park Village President, Vicki Scaman, and Seven Generations Ahead Director, Colleen Feeny, about the Cross Community Climate Collaborative (C4). This collaborative group, now of 14 communities, including Oak Park, River Forest, Broadview, Forest Park and other surrounding communities, and two environmental consultants-Seven Generations Ahead and Urban Efficiency Group, strives to utilize grants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 and 100% by 2050, and reduce climate change impact on everyone: those with fewer resources, BIPOC and non-minority communities. These goals are being reached through education and equitable strategies connecting the various economic, racial and ethnic make-up of the communities. Projects include composting at schools, e-charging stations, styrofoam and plastic reduction, and green tech use for lawns. Thought is not only given to the projects themselves, but how the projects will impact workers and residents. For instance, when exploring the requirement of electric tools for lawn care, thought was given to how small landscape businesses would be affected. Would they be pushed out of C4 communities? Will they be replaced by the large, commercial companies that can afford the new requirements? Thank you to our speakers for the informative, thought-provoking presentation!
March Drinks & Dialogue Recap
Drinks and Dialogue met March 21 with 23 comprising our learning community. Dr. Catherine Marienau, a representative from Compassion and Choices, gave a presentation and led an interactive session that explored the following::
- Empower every individual with achievable options, authoritative information and constructive advice for guiding their care and engaging with their providers.
- Advocate for expanded choices, secure and ready access to them, and improved medical practice that puts patients first and values quality of life in treatment plans for terminal illnesses.
- Defend existing end-of-life options from efforts to restrict access.
March Second Tuesday Recap
Our March Second Tuesday hosted a panel discussion with four library leaders from four suburban libraries. Jack Bower (Broadview Library District), Emily Compton(River Forest Library), Amy Compton (Bellwood Library), and Elizabeth Lynch(Addison Library District) shared their experiences with us. Elizabeth, who chairs the Illinois Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee, discussed the book banning challenges in Illinois. She said that there were 76 separate incidents last year that included books, displays, and event challenges. Most of the challenges were in suburbs surrounding Chicago and were primarily focused on LGBTG+ books. Illinois ranked fifth in the number of challenges in 2023.
The panel shared three ways that we could become involved to stand with
libraries against book banning and censorship. Click on the links to learn more.
Unite Against Book Bans is a national initiative by the American Library Association to empower readers to stand against book bans in communities across the countries.
EveryLibrary (based in Riverside) builds support for libraries and helps Americans fight book banning in their communities.
Regional Response Teams are volunteer led teams that are available as a
resource for libraries experiencing a challenge to library materials and may
provide support in a variety of ways: letter writing to a governing body, attending board meetings, connecting with a library staff member experiencing a materials challenge for advice, consultation and/or moral support, or researching and providing specific information/resources around a particular challenged book or resource.
The panel shared three ways that we could become involved to stand with
libraries against book banning and censorship. Click on the links to learn more.
Unite Against Book Bans is a national initiative by the American Library Association to empower readers to stand against book bans in communities across the countries.
EveryLibrary (based in Riverside) builds support for libraries and helps Americans fight book banning in their communities.
Regional Response Teams are volunteer led teams that are available as a
resource for libraries experiencing a challenge to library materials and may
provide support in a variety of ways: letter writing to a governing body, attending board meetings, connecting with a library staff member experiencing a materials challenge for advice, consultation and/or moral support, or researching and providing specific information/resources around a particular challenged book or resource.
February Second Tuesday Recap
On Tuesday, February 13, our Second Tuesday series hosted a Zoom presentation with speaker Tim Daly, Director, Gun Violence Prevention & Justice Reform, The Joyce Foundation & Chair, Fund for a Safer Future. Mr. Daly discussed the current trends in gun violence in Illinois, how new policies and practices are faring to curb this violence, and what we can expect in the months and years ahead on this issue. You can watch the video here.
On Tuesday, February 13, our Second Tuesday series hosted a Zoom presentation with speaker Tim Daly, Director, Gun Violence Prevention & Justice Reform, The Joyce Foundation & Chair, Fund for a Safer Future. Mr. Daly discussed the current trends in gun violence in Illinois, how new policies and practices are faring to curb this violence, and what we can expect in the months and years ahead on this issue. You can watch the video here.
February 15 Drinks & Dialogue Recap
In a spirited gathering of minds, 30 individuals convened at the companionable Friendly's Tap on February 15 to engage in an enlightening discussion on immigration reform led by Sara Dady, a distinguished immigration attorney with 17 years of experience. Dady, an esteemed advocate for immigration reform, emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive changes to address the disjointed nature of current immigration laws that perpetuate illegal status for many individuals. With her wealth of experience, Dady shed light on the challenges immigrants face navigating the legal system, particularly highlighting the staggering backlog of cases awaiting hearings. Among the eye-opening insights shared by Dady was the revelation that there are currently only
800 immigration judges nationwide, leaving an overwhelming backlog of approximately 3 million cases awaiting resolution. This backlog underscores the urgent need for increased resources and structural reforms to expedite the legal process and provide timely resolutions for individuals seeking immigration relief.
Throughout the discussion, Dady also took the opportunity to dispel common myths surrounding immigration, including the misconception that undocumented workers do not pay taxes and drain public resources. By providing factual information and debunking prevalent myths, Dady aimed
to create a better understanding of immigration issues and promote empathy and compassion towards immigrant communities. Dady dispelled misconceptions and confronted the realities of immigration in our society. The country benefits from the contributions of immigrants, emphasized Dady.
The event served as a testament to the power of community engagement and informed discourse in driving positive change. Through collaborative efforts and open dialogue, attendees left with a deeper understanding of immigration issues and a renewed commitment to advocating for meaningful reform.
If you missed the presentation, go to the page on our website to look over the slides.
In a spirited gathering of minds, 30 individuals convened at the companionable Friendly's Tap on February 15 to engage in an enlightening discussion on immigration reform led by Sara Dady, a distinguished immigration attorney with 17 years of experience. Dady, an esteemed advocate for immigration reform, emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive changes to address the disjointed nature of current immigration laws that perpetuate illegal status for many individuals. With her wealth of experience, Dady shed light on the challenges immigrants face navigating the legal system, particularly highlighting the staggering backlog of cases awaiting hearings. Among the eye-opening insights shared by Dady was the revelation that there are currently only
800 immigration judges nationwide, leaving an overwhelming backlog of approximately 3 million cases awaiting resolution. This backlog underscores the urgent need for increased resources and structural reforms to expedite the legal process and provide timely resolutions for individuals seeking immigration relief.
Throughout the discussion, Dady also took the opportunity to dispel common myths surrounding immigration, including the misconception that undocumented workers do not pay taxes and drain public resources. By providing factual information and debunking prevalent myths, Dady aimed
to create a better understanding of immigration issues and promote empathy and compassion towards immigrant communities. Dady dispelled misconceptions and confronted the realities of immigration in our society. The country benefits from the contributions of immigrants, emphasized Dady.
The event served as a testament to the power of community engagement and informed discourse in driving positive change. Through collaborative efforts and open dialogue, attendees left with a deeper understanding of immigration issues and a renewed commitment to advocating for meaningful reform.
If you missed the presentation, go to the page on our website to look over the slides.
January Second Tuesday Recap
At the January Second Tuesday meeting, Sara Samelka and Chelly Richards discussed one of Oak Park’s Public Health Department’s response to the opioid overdose crisis. Naloxone (Narcan) nasal spray is used to reverse an overdose. Kits with the spray and information are located throughout Oak Park, including the main library. The kits are free and available to everyone.
The project website includes information on where to find the kits in Oak Park and Chicago. You will also find links to training videos, FAQs, and links to other organizations. Go here to learn more. The Google Map link of the location of the Narcan kits in Oak Park is here. When you click on the icons on the map, you will see a photo of each box. And when you click on the photo, it will get bigger.
At the January Second Tuesday meeting, Sara Samelka and Chelly Richards discussed one of Oak Park’s Public Health Department’s response to the opioid overdose crisis. Naloxone (Narcan) nasal spray is used to reverse an overdose. Kits with the spray and information are located throughout Oak Park, including the main library. The kits are free and available to everyone.
The project website includes information on where to find the kits in Oak Park and Chicago. You will also find links to training videos, FAQs, and links to other organizations. Go here to learn more. The Google Map link of the location of the Narcan kits in Oak Park is here. When you click on the icons on the map, you will see a photo of each box. And when you click on the photo, it will get bigger.
Finding Grace is an exhibition at the FLW Bagley House in Hinsdale which highlights the contributions of pioneering social progressive Grace Bagley to American society. Grace Bagley was rediscovered while researching the Frederick and Grace Bagley House, an important early work by Frank Lloyd Wright. Grace Bagley (1860-1944) worked first in Illinois and later in Massachusetts. Her life of service included landmark reforms in childcare and education, juvenile justice, housing, immigration, and women's suffrage. Her efforts helped to build the framework of American civic life through reforms like the ‘Child’s Bill of Rights’ and the 19th Amendment giving American women the right to vote.
|
On Thursday, November 30, 20 members from our League and the LaGrange League attended a presentation on social reformer Grace Bagley. Grace worked with Jane Addams in the early years of the 1900's to improve juvenile justice, establish pre-schools and playgrounds for immigrant children, improve living conditions in tenements, and ensure that women got the vote. In 1896, the Bagleys commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright early in his career to design their summer home in Hinsdale. The home was threatened with demotion in 2021. But Lukas Ruecker and Safina Uberoi purchased the house with the plan to restore it to Wright's original design. The Bagley House, located on County Line Road in Hinsdale, does not look like a typical Wright prairie design but it does have elements that would be part of his future designs. Thanks to Julia Bachrach and Heidi Ruehle, curators of the exhibit, and owner Safina Uberoi, President of the Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy, for generously sharing this opportunity with us.
|
Many believe that fighting to save our country begins with a ceasefire among our friends and family. Braver Angels is an organization that “brings conservatives and progressives together on equal terms to understand differences, find common ground where it exists, and help the country find a better way”. Chuck Stone, State coordinator for Braver Angels Illinois, was the speaker at Drinks and Dialogue, on October 19, at the Friendly Tap in Berwyn. He discussed ways that we can bridge the partisan divide. This discussion provided an injection of hope into this polarized time.
|
Candidate Forums for contested 2023 municipal races in Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park began in February. This list has all the videos for the contested elections and also recorded candidate statements for the uncontested elections.
Our League's Environmental Committee members reached out to the community every Saturday at the Oak Park Farmer's Market during the month of “Plastic-free July.” They spoke to many people about the elimination of plastics, collected signatures on a petition for the Village to legislate an ordinance for restaurants to replace plastic containers and utensils with compostable ones, and encouraged the use of wax paper and paper towels in place of plastic wraps and bags. They also asked people to vote “Yes”on the Cook County Forest Preserve Referendum that will be on the ballot at the November 8 election. Beverly Graham and Marsha Borders are pictured. |