Slavenas: Lobby Day means citizen participation and education

May 31, 2026 - 02:43

On May 13, four members of our local League drove to Springfield to take part in the League of Women Voters of Illinois' Lobby Day. According to DeKalb County league chapter president Christi Slavenas, the event is about more than just politics. It is a hands-on lesson in how democracy works.

The group focused on three specific bills during their visit. Slavenas described the experience as a mix of education and direct participation. Instead of watching from the sidelines, citizens walked the halls of the state capitol, met with lawmakers, and voiced their concerns face to face.

Lobby Day is not a protest or a rally. It is a structured opportunity for ordinary people to learn about pending legislation and then act on that knowledge. Participants study the issues beforehand, practice their talking points, and then meet with elected officials or their staff.

For the DeKalb County members, the trip was a reminder that state government is not distant or unreachable. Slavenas noted that when citizens show up and speak clearly, lawmakers listen. The day ended with a sense of accomplishment, not because every bill passed, but because the process worked the way it should. People learned, participated, and made their voices heard.