CALL TO ACTION: Support HB 5290 The Bullying Prevention Policy TODAY!
Please support the Bullying Prevention Policy, Illinois HB 5290, today! Current Illinois law requires that school districts have bullying prevention policies, but they fail to provide guidance necessary to ensure that these policies and implementation successfully combat bullying. HB 5290 provides this guidance! HB 5290 must pass out of the Illinois Senate before the end of the current session at the end of this month. Please take a few minutes to make the following calls (and/or emails). It's easy: you can leave a message with each Senator's secretary that can be as simple as "My name is ______________. I'm calling to ask Senator ...
2012 Illinois NOW PAC Endorsements
We hope you are registered and ready to vote tomorrow, March 20th!! NOW is ready, and we have our list of 2012 endorsements to help you at the voting polls tomorrow: Congressional candidates endorsed by national NOW PAC: Federal Races Name Office District Election Result Leslie Coolidge U.S. House 6 race pending Tammy Duckworth U.S. House 8 race pending Ilya Sheyman U.S. House 10 race pending David Gill U.S. House 13 race pending Cheri Bustos U.S. House 17 race pending Illinois State Senate: Kevin Allen, 23rd District, DuPage County http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120131/submitted/301319688/ Illinois State Representatives: Kelly Cassidy, 14th District, Chicago http://www.housedem.state.il.us/members/cassidyk/ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/05/viagra-amendment-ultrasound-mandate-illinois_n_1321800.html Robert Martwick, 19th District http://www.robertmartwick.com/ Illinois Judges: James Shapiro http://judgeshapiro.org/ Celia Gamrath http://judgegamrath.com/ Get out and honor our foremothers by VOTING!!
Celebrate Women’s History Month!
CELEBRATE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH! it's celebratin' time, friends! What better way to celebrate Women's History Month than to spend it with women's organizations from across Illinois that have made all the difference in women's lives? Join DuPage NOW and College of DuPage on March 14th to meet and hear from featured speakers on what Women's History Month has meant to their organization. Plus, learn more about these vital organizations and how they have shaped progress in our communities - and what progress still needs to be made. Don't miss this powerful and inspiring evening with over 15 history-changing organizations from across our communities. the ...
‘Tis The Season Of Giving
Every year, hundreds of women contact us for help. They depend on us. Can we depend on you? The Illinois NOW Women’s Resource and Referral Project in Springfield replies to phone and email queries from women around the state who are seeking help with divorce, domestic violence, discrimination and other problems. The Illinois NOW Legal and Education Fund, a member charity of Community Shares of Illinois, supports this project at approximately 40% of the real cost of making referrals. In the coming year, more women will be coming to us for our help and support. We must do more. With your tax deductible contribution ...
Action Alert: YES on HB 1958!
Illinois NOW Action Alert Please call your state senator today and urge them to vote YES on HB 1958. As you recall HB 1958, bans shackling pregnant female prisoners. The bill as amended affects ONLY Cook Countyjail - not state prisons, downstate jails, or arrests by local police. Senator Hutchinson, the lead sponsor in the senate, committed to work with state corrections and the IL Sheriff Association on their bill, and we need to pass this Cook County version now. It addresses the safety of the mother and fetus and addresses correctional concerns by allowing exceptions when there is risk of harm or escape. It ...
Illinois Veto Session Starts This Week
Please take action today on HB 3027, the newest version of the Comprehensive Health Education Act. This bill was amended to include comprehensive sex education and is on concurrence in the House. The opposition is putting out alerts full of misinformation on this bill, so we need you to call in NOW to counter their false statements. ACTION NEEDED: Please call your Representative and URGE THEM TO VOTE YES ON HB 3027. The Capitol switchboard is 217/782-2000. Ask the operator to be connected to your Representative. Here are some of the opposition's arguments and the correct information: (You can also ...
Register for Illinois NOW’s 2011 State Conference!
2011 Illinois NOW State Conference Time Saturday, October 15 · 9:00am - 5:00pm Location Jane Addams Hull House Museum 800 S. Halsted Chicago, IL Created By Illinois National Organization for Women More Info This year’s theme is Unifying Voices for Women! We are proud to announce that Allendra Letsome, National NOW Membership Vice President, will be our honored keynote speaker. Read more about Allendra and her feminist background here: http://www.now.org/officers/ Join other feminists at the Hull House Museum for a full day of workshops, speakers, an auction and elections. Plus, we’ll be setting the action agenda for 2012! Lunch will be provided. Lunch will include vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. For accessibility and travel information, visit: http://www.uic.edu/jaddams/hull/_museum/operation.html Questions? Requests? Accommodations? Call ...
Call Your IL Rep NOW!
HB 3027 is ready for a vote by the full House. It will be close. So, please make a final push Tuesday morning. Generate as many calls as possible to state representatives: 217-782-2000. Look up representatives here: http://www.ilga.gov/house/default.asp Tell state representatives: "Vote YES on HB 3027! Support sex education!" After a very lively debate, the motions to concur with the Senate amendments passed out of the House Human Services Committee with 6 voting yes and 4 voting no. Despite the fact that we have been focused on lobbying for votes, we've had numerous legislators sign on as co-sponsors without being asked. New legislators Derrick Smith (D-10) and Kimberly du Buclet (D-26) are among the co-sponsors. It's great ...
Send a TIRE to Kansas Rep Pete DeGraaf!
Kansas NOW has a great action - for a $5 donation, they will send Kansas Rep Peter DeGraaf a tire! Check it out: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=204330099608974 Or you can go directly to their website for brief information and to donate: http://www.ksnow.org/KS_NOW/Welcome.html Why would you want to do such a thing, you ask? Well, you must have missed his oh-so-charming remarks this week. That's okay, we have the story for you here: "Kansas representative Pete DeGraaf is fighting for a bill that would exclude abortion coverage in cases of rape. He thinks the state should stay out of that problem, and it should just be something that women ...
Legislative Update – Call Your Representatives!
SB 1619 Comprehensive Sex Education The sponsor, Senator Heather Steans (D-7) got a deadline extension of May 4 for this legislation. We are very close to garnering the 30 votes needed to pass it out of the Senate. We cannot wait to generate calls, emails, and faxes tostate senators asking them to vote YES on SB 1619. Illinois youth need medically accurate and age appropriate information in order to make responsible decisions that will help them stay safe and healthy. The capitol switchboard is 217-782-2000. A list of senators is available here: http://www.ilga.gov/senate/default.asp Click on the senator’s name to link to contact information. The House deadline ...
1. Please ask the following three Illinois Senators for a YES vote on HB 5290 -
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Sen. Forby (D-Benton) - (217) 782-5509
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Sen. Schmidt (R-Lake Villa) - (217) 782-7353
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Sen. Leuchtefeld (R-Okawville former LEAD SPONSOR) - (217) 782-8137
2. Please call YOUR respective Illinois Senator and, if not one of the Senators listed below, let them know you are a constituent and that you urge a YES vote for HB 5290: First, go to www.elections.il.gov/ and search for your State Senator by address. Next, go to www.ilga.gov/senate and click on your Senator’s name.
Finally, call your Senator at their Springfield office number.
3. Call/email the following Senators and THANK them for sponsoring HB 5290:
- Sen. Lightford - (217) 782-8505 * statesenatorlightford@comcast.net
- Sen. Mulroe - (217) 782-1035 * johnmulroe@att.net
- Sen. Martinez - (217) 782-8191
- Sen. Jones - (217) 782-9573
- Sen. Delgado - (217) 782-5652
4. Additionally, call/email the following Senators and thank them for voting YES for HB 5290 in the Senate Education Committee:
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Sen. Meeks - (217) 782-8066 * jmeeks@senatedem.ilga.gov
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Sen. Collins - (217) 782-6252 * collinsar@ilga.gov
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Sen. Garrett - (217) 782-3650 * ilsenate29@sbcglobal.net
ICAH thanks you for your efforts in reaching out on behalf of HB 5290!
We hope you are registered and ready to vote tomorrow, March 20th!! NOW is ready, and we have our list of 2012 endorsements to help you at the voting polls tomorrow:
Congressional candidates endorsed by national NOW PAC:
Federal Races
| Name | Office | District | Election Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leslie Coolidge | U.S. House | 6 | race pending |
| Tammy Duckworth | U.S. House | 8 | race pending |
| Ilya Sheyman | U.S. House | 10 | race pending |
| David Gill | U.S. House | 13 | race pending |
| Cheri Bustos | U.S. House | 17 | race pending |
Illinois State Senate:
Kevin Allen, 23rd District, DuPage County
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120131/submitted/301319688/
Illinois State Representatives:
Kelly Cassidy, 14th District, Chicago
http://www.housedem.state.il.us/members/cassidyk/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/05/viagra-amendment-ultrasound-mandate-illinois_n_1321800.html
Robert Martwick, 19th District
http://www.robertmartwick.com/
Illinois Judges:
James Shapiro
Celia Gamrath
Get out and honor our foremothers by VOTING!!
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CELEBRATE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH!
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Every year, hundreds of women contact us for help.
They depend on us.
Can we depend on you?
The Illinois NOW Women’s Resource and Referral Project in Springfield replies to phone and email queries from women around the state who are seeking help with divorce, domestic violence, discrimination and other problems.
The Illinois NOW Legal and Education Fund, a member charity of Community Shares of Illinois, supports this project at approximately 40% of the real cost of making referrals. In the coming year, more women will be coming to us for our help and support. We must do more. With your tax deductible contribution we will make a difference in the lives of more women and their children.
You can make your tax-deductible donation via PayPal to illinoisnow@aol.com. Please note your donation “LEF”.
Or you can mail your donation to:
Illinois NOW LEF c/o Sharon Hayes, Treasurer PO Box 1195 Mahomet, Illinois 61853
Please give generously. Thank you!
Please go to
www.ilga.gov to find contact info for your senator or call the Capitol switchboard at 217/782-2000 and ask to be connected to your senator. All you have to do is leave a message to urge your senator to VOTE YES ON HB 1958. Our downstate senators especially need to hear from us.- It mandates curriculum promoting abortion, stating that it is legal, safe, and parents don’t have to know about it. [FALSE: the bill does not have any language referencing abortion.]
- It calls for “medically accurate” sex education, but the curriculum misinforms students by telling them that “morning after pills” don’t cause abortion.[FALSE: the bill does not specify any particular messages regarding EC. When it approved Emergency Contraception (EC), what they refer to as “morning after pills”, the FDA concluded that EC will not harm an established pregnancy.]
- It will force abstinence programs out of the public schools by taking away local control and mandating the teaching of contraception and condoms. Public schools in Illinois already have the ability to teach comprehensive sex education if they wish. [SORT OF: Teaching about abstinence is required to be taught under HB 3027. Abstinence-ONLY programs that exclude medically accurate information about contraception cannot be taught under the requirement in HB 3027.]
- It does not follow the Centers for Disease Control recommendations that a) abstinence be prioritized and b) school health education policies and programs be locally determined and consistent with community values. Many communities in Illinois have strong Judeo-Christian value systems and would have their teachings violated by the requirement that contraception be taught to children. [FALSE: Abstinence is such a priority under HB 3027 that the bill requires it to be taught. Local school districts can modify sex education curricula to meet local needs. Teaching about contraception is required, but any parent who feels this violates their family’s religious values can remove their child from the sex ed class.]
2011 Illinois NOW State Conference
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Saturday, October 15 · 9:00am - 5:00pm
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Jane Addams Hull House Museum 800 S. Halsted
Chicago, IL
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This year’s theme is Unifying Voices for Women! We are proud to announce that Allendra Letsome, National NOW Membership Vice President, will be our honored keynote speaker. Read more about Allendra and her feminist background here: http://www.now.org/officers/ Join other feminists at the Hull House Museum for a full day of workshops, speakers, an auction and elections. Plus, we’ll be setting the action agenda for 2012! Lunch will be provided. Lunch will include vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. For accessibility and travel information, visit: http://www.uic.edu/jaddams/hull/_museum/operation.html Questions? Requests? Accommodations? Call Susan at 217.898.3152 or email illinoisnow@aol.com. Illinois NOW strives to bring the latest and most relevant feminist issues to attendees. We welcome ALL equality-minded individuals to come and benefit from the nationally and locally recognized speakers and networking opportunities offered at our annual state conference – and this year proves to be no exception! Don’t miss this inspiring and motivational day of thought and activism! Register today! To register, contact us at illinoisnow@aol.com or register online athttp://ilnow.org/2011-illinois-now-state-conference/ via Paypal! *You must pre-register by October 7th if you need child care, a signer or alternative housing. |
HB 3027 is ready for a vote by the full House. It will be close. So, please make a final push Tuesday morning.
- Generate as many calls as possible to state representatives: 217-782-2000.
- Look up representatives here: http://www.ilga.gov/house/default.asp
- Tell state representatives: “Vote YES on HB 3027! Support sex education!”
After a very lively debate, the motions to concur with the Senate amendments passed out of the House Human Services Committee with 6 voting yes and 4 voting no.
Despite the fact that we have been focused on lobbying for votes, we’ve had numerous legislators sign on as co-sponsors without being asked. New legislators Derrick Smith (D-10) and Kimberly du Buclet (D-26) are among the co-sponsors. It’s great to see two brand new members who are willing to stand up for our cause!
We’ve also had a last minute change of lead sponsor at the request and encouragement of our original House sponsor, Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-7). Rep. Camille Lilly (D-78) is our new sponsor. Rep. Yarbrough remains committed to the bill and will speak in support during debate before the full House.
Here is our new sponsor lineup: Rep. Camille Y Lilly - Karen A. Yarbrough - Robyn Gabel - Sara Feigenholtz - Barbara Flynn Currie, Monique D. Davis,Derrick Smith, Kimberly du Buclet, Elizabeth Hernandez, Constance A. Howard, Maria Antonia Berrios, Dena M. Carli, Naomi D. Jakobsson and Marlow H. Colvin
CALL NOW!!
Kansas NOW has a great action – for a $5 donation, they will send Kansas Rep Peter DeGraaf a tire! Check it out:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=204330099608974
Or you can go directly to their website for brief information and to donate: http://www.ksnow.org/KS_NOW/Welcome.html
Why would you want to do such a thing, you ask? Well, you must have missed his oh-so-charming remarks this week. That’s okay, we have the story for you here:
“Kansas representative Pete DeGraaf is fighting for a bill that would exclude abortion coverage in cases of rape. He thinks the state should stay out of that problem, and it should just be something that women “plan ahead for”:
Bollier asked him, “And so women need to plan ahead for issues that they have no control over with pregnancy?”
DeGraaf drew groans of protest from some House members when he responded, “I have a spare tire on my car.” ”I also have life insurance,”he added. ”I have a lot of things that I plan ahead for.”
You heard the man, ladies. You should all just get organized and make plans now for the aftermath of your rape. Maybe set up a cookie jar in the kitchen and tuck a dollar bill in it now and then, as your rainy day rape abortion fund. Your supportive boy friends and spouses can cheerfully contribute, too, and if you’re a member of a lesbian couple, you could have a matching pair (for cute!). Get one for your daughters, too, and start them on saving a little bit every year — after all, young girls get raped, too, so you might as well make it a regular feature of their lives.
By the way, the compassionate Pete DeGraaf is also an associate pastor. I am not surprised.”
If you’re still reading…stop! and head over to Kansas NOW’s website right. now. !
SB 1619 Comprehensive Sex Education
The sponsor, Senator Heather Steans (D-7) got a deadline extension of May 4 for this legislation. We are very close to garnering the 30 votes needed to pass it out of the Senate. We cannot wait to generate calls, emails, and faxes tostate senators asking them to vote YES on SB 1619. Illinois youth need medically accurate and age appropriate information in order to make responsible decisions that will help them stay safe and healthy. The capitol switchboard is 217-782-2000. A list of senators is available here: http://www.ilga.gov/senate/default.asp Click on the senator’s name to link to contact information.
The House deadline for passage of bills originating in the House was Friday, April 15. Anti-choice legislation has stalled (with no deadline extensions) or has moved forward after having been positively amended. We will carefully monitor legislative action for any attempts to revive anti-choice measures.
HB 786/HB 1919 – Ultrasound Mandate
The sponsor, Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-118), did not call HB 1919 for a hearing. Instead, he moved HB 786 out of the Agriculture Committee. He did not call it for a vote before the full House before the deadline.
HB 1144 – Broadening Definition of Homicide of an Unborn Child
The sponsor, Rep. Dan Brady (R-88), did not call this bill for a committee hearing.
HB 1569 – Abortion Restriction on Health Savings Accounts
Prior to passing out of committee the sponsor, Rep. Patti Bellock (R-47), amended the bill to remove the language restricting use of state employee health savings accounts to pay for abortion care. This amendment resulted in our removing our opposition to the bill. Bellock never called HB 1569 for a vote by the full House.
HB 2093 – Child Abuse Reporting
After HB 2093 passed out of the Agriculture Committee, the sponsor, Rep. David Reis (R-108) amended the bill with agreed language which allowed us to remove our opposition. HB 2093 passed out of the House overwhelmingly and was sent to the Senate for consideration. It is assigned for a hearing in the Human Services Committee.
HB 2321/HB3156 – ASTC Regulation Expansion
The sponsor, Rep. Darlene Senger (R-96), got both bills to the House floor. After an amendment which would have broadened HB 2321 to apply to any facility that performed 50 or more of any type of surgery was approved for consideration, the sponsor decided not to call HB 2321. Instead, she called HB 3156 for a vote. It fell 3 votes short of passage. Senger put the bill on “postponed consideration” which allows for a second chance at a vote. However, she did not request a second vote prior to the deadline.
HB 2988 – “Choose Life” License Plates
This bill, along with all other special license plate bills, was sent to the House State Government’s Special License Plate Subcomittee. It never had a hearing.