Events
The League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria holds events throughout the yearThe best way to stay up to date is to subscribe to our email newsletter or follow our Facebook or Instagram page. To find information on select upcoming events, visit our upcoming events page. To watch or read about recent events, please scroll down. __________ Voter Registration Events Various voter registration events are held, including those at Naturalization Ceremonies. If you would like to register voters, please contact us. If you are not already a deputy registrar, our Voter Services committee chair can tell you how to get the (1 hour) training. Candidate Forums Prior to local elections, the League hosts candidate forums. Some are sponsored by the LWV and others are hosted in partnership with groups that have requested them through the League's voter services. Drinks and Dialogue Topics vary, and League members and the public are invited to participate in these events free of charge. Refreshments are available for purchase. Drinks and Dialogue is held on the third Wednesday of most months. Membership Social This evening event is for members and new members to meet, mingle, and renew membership. It is a great opportunity to bring friends and family who might be interested in joining. This is also an opportunity to speak to committee chairs to learn about ways to get involved. Meetings with Legislators We also regularly engage area leaders and office holders. Get involved to play your part. Special events The League regularly holds larger events, including our Shine On Democracy rallies and teach-ins. (Watch two examples below.) Annual Business Meeting of LWVGP (held in May) At this important members-only meeting, we elect officers and directors, vote on positions, approve the recommended calendar, decide whether a study will be done, adopt the budget, discuss action items and enjoy refreshments. Mock Elections Groups can request to hold a mock election through the League's voter services. |
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| 2026 Annual Fundraiser "Celebrating 250 Years of Democracy and Protecting It For Our Future" with the Honorable Ray LaHood. He spoke about his personal, particularly his public service on both sides of the aisle, so to speak. He shared his common sense approach for preserving and strengthening our democracy, and insights that may offer hope for our future. |
Double IL Senate Primary Candidate Forum Aired Feb. 26th, 2026 With the primary elections approaching, six candidates for the open Illinois Senate seat joined us for this forum at WTVP's studio: Democrats: Robin Kelly, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Juliana Stratton Rebulicans: Don Tracy, Casey Chlebek, and Denise Long We appreciate partnering with WTVP PBS to help people across Illinois hear directly from candidates on key issues. You can watch the forum on PBS. |  |
 | Candidate Forum for Tazewell County Board District 1 Five candidates are on the ballot for District 1, and four seats are available. Three candidates joined us for this forum: • Brad Donley • Kaden Nelms • Nancy Proehl This forum was co-hosted by the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce. Many thanks to the Chamber, the candidates, and our volunteers for making this event possible. Thank you to everyone who came out. You can also watch a recording of this forum on our YouTube channel. |
Peoria Public Schools District 150 Candidate Forum Recorded Jan. 31, 2026 Four candidates joined us for this forum at the First Baptist Church of Peoria: Central District: David Daye and Andy Diaz Northern District: Sarah Howard and Douglas Shannon. Thank you to everyone who came out! You can watch the forum on our YouTube channel. |  |
 | The Impact of the Big Beautiful Bill on the Illinois Budget The League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria hosted legislative tax policy expert Ralph Martire for an expert take on what the provisions in the Big Beautiful Bill Act mean for the Illinois state budget and federal and state programs. Martire is the Executive Director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability (CTBA) and the Rubloff Professor of Public Policy at Roosevelt University. Click here to get a PDF version of the presentation. |
2025 Annual FundraiserAt our first fundraiser in several years, we heard a compelling speech our energizing the local economy from Dr. Shelia Quirk-Bailey, ICC President, who is retiring at the end of the year. Many thanks to Dr. Quirk-Baley. And many thanks to the fundraiser organizers, Connie Romanus, Kristie Collier, and Theresa Koehler. |  |
 | Watch our most recent teach-in, during which we heard from local leaders and experts on the impact of federal policy on immigration enforcement, vaccine access, DEI, and education. YouTube video of the livestream is below. Speakers included: • Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins • Peoria City/County Health Department Public Health Administration Monica Hendrickson • Vice President of Workforce and Diversity at Illinois Central College Arnitria Shaw • Peoria County Regional Superintendent Dr. George McKenna • Tazewell County Regional Superintendent Dr. Jeff Ekena • Chris Kaergard, President of LWVGP, summarizing the information from our prior events, including voting rights, funding for public broadcasting, and more |
 | Drinks & Dialogue - August, 2025 The League of Women Voters Greater Peoria extends our sincere thanks to Judge Michael Brandt for serving as the featured speaker at our recent Drinks and Dialogue event. We are grateful for the insights he shared about his work following his judicial career — particularly his efforts to help individuals with felony convictions expunge their records and rebuild their lives. During his tenure on the bench, Judge Brandt was instrumental in establishing a specialized courtroom to support veterans whose legal challenges were connected to their military service. He also played a key role in modernizing the Peoria County Law Library by launching a self-help center to assist individuals navigating civil cases without legal representation. We appreciate Judge Brandt’s continued dedication to justice and access for all members of our community. |