About Us

The League of Women Voters (LWV) is a nonpartisan, grassroots nonprofit dedicated to empowering everyone to fully participate in American democracy. We engage in advocacy, education, litigation, and organizing to protect every American’s freedom to vote.

The League is proud to be women-led and over 100 years old, emerging directly out of the women’s suffrage movement in 1920.

Nonpartisanship
The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any political party or any candidate.
As an organization dedicated to both voter education and advocacy, the League takes strong stances on policy issues relating to voting rights, civil rights, and other issues of importance to members and the public. To learn more about our nonpartisan stance, read this blog post from the League of Women Voters of the United States.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policymakers in creating a more perfect democracy.

Federated Model
LWV operates at three levels: local, state, and national.
The federated structure of LWV comprises a national League and affiliated state and local Leagues that are separately incorporated. Those who join the League become members of their local League, their state League, and the national League.

A SHORT HISTORY ***************************

League of Women Voters of Adams CountyA short history and timeline

In 1950, representatives of the Illinois League of Women Voters ( LWV) held an informational meeting on May 7, at the Lincoln Douglas Hotel in Quincy. The women decided to organize a local chapter. Jane Green was elected founding president. On May 24, about 75 local women gathered at the then Belasco Theater located at 6th and Hampshire St where a constitution was adopted.

In June, Ida Hapke was elected first president. The group's first program was held at the Art Center in July. Prior to the founding of the League, other women's groups existed in the area, including the Quincy Women's Forum, which helped arouse awareness to local issues such as sanitation, road improvements and neighborhoods. One notable article appeared in the Daily Herald in June of 1912 told of the first parade for Suffrage in Quincy. The parade began at the Dayton home on 2222 Maine St and marched through the neighboring streets. In lead of the marchers was a decorated carriage carrying Miss Elizabeth Weems dressed at the Goddess of Liberty and carrying a banner reading "Votes for Women" Girls and boys , members of the Children's Suffragettes club marched behind a brass band. Miss Dorothy Dayton was president of the Club and meetings were held monthly, on the third floor of the Dayton mansion. While boys were allowed to march, they were not allowed at the meetings which were "held with dignity" according to Roberts Rules of Order. There was geat enthusiasm for The Cause according to the news article.

The League of Women Voters of Adams County is a local group of the League of Women Voters of the State of Illinois and of the League of Women Voters of the United States. The League is a nonpartison organization and encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and works to influence public policy through education and advocacy. It does not support or oppose any political candidate.

In the early 1950s the newly formed Quincy League received national attention for an extremely successful voter registration and get out the vote campaign. That year, the LWVAC won first prize in a Register to Vote competition sponsored by the American Heritage Foundation. Articles were written about the successful campaign in Readers Digest and Parade Magazine and were read into the Congressional Record. Some highlights of the League's activities during the 1950's include a study of Quincy's sewer and water structure which led to the modernization of the sewer system.Significant projects in the 1960s show a Director of Parks and Recreation was hired by the City of Quincy as a result of a study and a publication by the League that helped define the system's needs.

A highlight of the 1970s was the Quincy League focusing on the courts by conducting a citizen's court watching system which suggested remedies for local problems. Members also held discussions on the Equal Rights Ammendment. A major issue in the 1980s for the LWV was recycling. A pilot program led to the bin and sticker pickup program adopted by the city and used until 2023. In the later years of decade the group studied Quincy Public Schools finances, resulting in a position supporting adequate funding for the system.

The League became involved in the Mayor's Task Force on Solid Waste that resulted in a city wide ban on leaf burning effective as of May 31, 1995. Also in the mid 90s the League worked to restore visitation rights for detainees. Cooperating with the Adams County Board the league published a flyer revealing which local restaurants which were in compliance with the non-smoking and designated smoking areas.

In March 1997, the League and the Quinch Area Chamber of Commerce cosponsored a forum on Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL)aka tax cap. A county wide vote held April 1, 1997 showed defeat for PTELL by a 4-1 margin in Adams County. In1999, The Quincy League officially changed its name to the League of Women Voters of Adams County (LWVAC) expanding the scope of its service. The League is known for sponsorship of candidate forums in locally contested elections. In 1998 there was national coverage of a forum for candidates Baker and Evans, in a race for the 17th Congressional District. The forum was broadcast locally on CGEM and nationally on CSPAN.

In the year 2000, the start of the milleneum, the League petitioned to reduce the size of the Adams County Board. Securing 4000 signatures, the issue appeared on the ballot in 2001 the voters approved the issue by 74% to reduce the board size from 28 to 21 members.

A major issue in 2017 involved the Homeless Project. Photos by a local photographer documented the homeless in Quincy. Interviews and pictures showed the plight of many living on the streets. An exhibit at the Washington Theater was opened to the public to raise awareness. The police department since, has an employee overseeing the issue. There is a need for another housing inspector in the city.

2019 A booth was set up in the Salvation Army Kroc Center to encourage voter registration. The City Recycling program is saved after citizens agreed to pay a higher fee rather than do away with recycling. Meetings were sponsored by the League. Other highlights of 2019 involved information on voter registration and the new cards mailed by the city clerk's office. The League supported nonpartison local elections. The League also support the Quincy Poverty Project that calls for better inspection of rental units . LWV continued to support the newly formed Safe and Livable Housing Committee which seeks to help tenants file claims against landlords who are negligent in providing safe and secure housing. Many local agencies and churches came together to support those living in unsafe conditions. Tenants are afraid of retaliation if they complain.

2020-2021 The spread of the COVID virus and the pandemic ended meetings and gatherings. The group kept in touch by way of the internet and Zoom meetings. 2022 - League meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 6pm in the Quincy Public Library. Emphases continues on the efficiency and safety of the new drop off Recycling Sites in the City as well as the need for Safe and Livable Housing in the community. The League supports tenants rights and the need for more inspection. Voter registration help and information is ongoing2023 Meetings resumed .

The LWV Board meets the first Monday at 6pm in the Quincy Public Library. Current local issues continue to be work on include voter registration, recycling, support of Safe and Liveable housing. The Women's Equality Day celebration was held at the Quincy Museum and featured a presentation on Women in Education by Shelley Arns, current president of the Quincy School Board, as speaker.