An Update on Caucus Bylaws Review

Last year a group of Lake Forest residents were selected to review the existing Caucus bylaws. This Ad-hoc Committee suggested many recommendations to the Bylaws that have since been reviewed in detail by the Caucus Committee. On 5/20/25, the Caucus Executive Committee and the Ad-hoc Committee met to discuss progress and next steps: it was a fantastic and productive discussion!

The Ad-hoc Committee has graciously agreed to continue its work by partnering with the Caucus in the process of moving forward. It is clear that any suggested bylaw changes require additional community discussion and feedback as we all want our future bylaws to represent the entire community! Second, before putting forth any edits to the voting provisions, we need to ensure that electronic voting as an alternative voting method, and other alternative methods, are feasible and secure.

Therefore, the Caucus has created a “Lake Forest Caucus Electronic Voting Sub-committee” whose purpose is to determine whether electronic voting is feasible and would be a secure option. Our goal is to make participation in our Caucus process as convenient and inclusive as possible. This sub-committee has already drafted protocol for evaluating electronic voting as a potential option.

Of course, any enhancements to our voting processes will require community support. So, once again we are asking for your help. With the implementation of a new website and the operational costs associated with running the Caucus such as ward mailings, ballots, elections, website  operations and maintenance, and insurance, our operating budget remains fully dedicated to the ongoing and normal work of the Caucus, which must continue uninterrupted. 

In order to see the bylaws project through to conclusion, we need to raise an additional $20,000 to support this critical initiative: the review and modernization of our bylaws and the implementation of alternative voting methods. This effort goes well beyond legal counsel. It also includes community education and engagement - ensuring residents understand the proposed updates, why they matter, and how they will strengthen the Caucus for the future. Because the changes require a two-thirds majority vote to pass, building broad awareness and support is vital to this effort’s success.

Please consider making a donation today to help us complete this important initiative. We need to raise these additional funds quickly to ensure that this process continues to move forward. Together, we can ensure the Caucus remains a vital part of Lake Forest’s future.

Donate Today!

To contribute, you can donate online or send a check payable to “Lake Forest Caucus” at:

736 N. Western Ave, Suite 256, Lake Forest, IL 60045

Please note: Contributions are reported to the Illinois State Board of Elections and are not tax-deductible. If you have any questions about giving, we encourage you to reach out.

Thank you for your support.