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Shenanigans!

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Illinois

* I know it’s Oak Park, and I know this may look innocuous because it’s the LWV and all…

But if you click the link, you’re taken to this page…

Not good.

Also, you’re a public library. Proofread your copy.

Seeing any other foul play or dirty pool out there?

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:34 pm

Comments

The League of Women Voters is non-partisan in that they do not endorse candidates. They DO, however, take positions on policy. The official policy of the LWV, after studying the arguments on both sides of the issue, is to advocate that the Fair Tax be passed.

Comment by Teacher Lady Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:40 pm
https://www.lwvil.org/action-foci-1/fair-taxgraduated-rate-income-tax

Comment by Teacher Lady Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:43 pm
This is a shenanigan? This is to shenanigans as ants are to buffalo.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:44 pm
The information presented doesn’t actually indicate that the Oak Park Public Library had anything to do with the ad. It looks like Facebook is simply explaining why the ad is being shown, and that the folks that designed and placed the ad unethically included the link to the URL for the Oak Park Public Library to increase click rates.

Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:45 pm
===the Oak Park Public Library had anything to do with the ad===

Um, the link is in an email sent by the OPPL.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:47 pm
I expect nothing less from the People’s Republic of Oak Park. S/

Comment by Truthiness Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:47 pm
It says a lot that a publicly funded institution such as this library saw nothing wrong with doing this mailing. This is what is known as mission creep.

Comment by Responsa Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:13 pm
So you’re trying to get me to move to Oak Park?

But yeah. Not a good look.

Comment by The 647 Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:13 pm
Seems like it runs afoul of good old 10 ILCS 5/9-25.1. By making their mailing list available to distribute materials in favor of a public question, they inadvertently committed a Class B misdemeanor. I somehow don’t think it will be charged, but in fairness, they should provide the same access to the mailing list to the side opposing the fair tax. Generally speaking, when a public accommodation or item is equally available to both sides for use, or on substantially similar terms, then it can skirt the prohibitions of 25.1.

Comment by Just Another Anon Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:17 pm
I hope they just accidentally sent that off without the link to something arguing the other side. This is a bad look for an organization that’s depends on taxes, even if it’s not income tax.

Comment by A Librarian Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 3:03 pm
A big whoops here…the LWV can advocate their position on the Fair Tax after studying it on their own website…not on a tax funded public body…

Comment by Loop Lady Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 3:06 pm
“This Section shall not prohibit the use of public funds for dissemination of factual information relative to any proposition appearing on an election ballot.” Is there any accurate factual information readily available for sharing on the other side?

Comment by pro bono Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 5:20 pm
This is a huge problem - libraries are one of the few units of local government that have a consistently high favorability ranking. Becoming involved in heated political issue is not only illegal - it threatens to ruin that stellar reputation.

Comment by Dewey D Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 5:30 pm
===Um, the link is in an email sent by the OPPL===

Mea culpa — sorry about that.

Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 5:53 pm
I don’t know…do mailers and robocalls lying about the amendment (”It gives Mike Madigan unlimited power to raise your taxes again and again, with no accountability”) count as shenanigans?

Comment by Threepwood Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 7:08 pm
They would have been better off linking to the pamphlet sent out by the Secretary of State that presents both sides.

Comment by MyTwoCents Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 7:35 pm
Never trust a Fruth. He’s a Harmon staffer wannabe who cant pay his own property taxes on time.

Comment by dervy Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 8:21 pm