Date: Mon, 3 Apr 1995 08:56:43 -0400 (EDT) From: David Casti Reply-To: James Yorton Subject: FOLLOWUP: Illinois Action Alerts are Working Submitted by: James Yorton Let me talk about these Action Alerts-- they work! ..... Just to let people know that this year looks better than ever before to pass the Illinois gay rights bill. Even though our legislature is more republican/conservative, the Illinois Federation for Human Rights (IFHR) has hired a paid Republican Lobbyist, who is openly gay and is on very good terms with many of the republican lawmakers. NGLTF and HRCF should sit down and think about doing this. The only way we're going to pass a GLB bill or the ENDA is with bi-partisan support. They game has changed since the last election. The Illinois bill, Senate Bill 994, is in the process of going through the Senate Executive Committee. Next comes the Senate Rules Committee and another Action Alert on my part. Then finally, a full senate vote on the floor and one final Action Alert. The major stumbling block is Senate President, James "Pate" Phillips (R-Woodale). He is homophobic and has *single-handedly* prevented this bill from coming up to a full senate vote in past years. He knows it would pass if it made it. IFHR is on an education campaign with Phillips, explaining to him why this is a good bill. Much of his homophobia comes from ignorance. Folks, these Action Alerts *are* paying off! They work! (Thank you David Casti and David O'Donnell) I spoke with the offices of the 3 senators and was told they have received may calls, letters, and faxes in support of SB 994. Nobody mentioned any opposition. It's not too late to contact the 3 senators below. We need 1 "yes" vote from the 3 below to advance to the next phase: Senator Walter Dudycz (R) Springfield office: 217-782-3650 (voice) Illinois State Senate District office: 312-774-7717 (voice) Springfield, IL 62706 312-774-7877 (fax) Senator Doris Karpiel (R) Springfield office: 217-782-5572 (voice) Illinois State Senate District office: 708-894-2008 (voice) Springfield, IL 62706 708-894-2871 (fax) Senator Adeline Geo-Karis (R) Springfield office: 217-782-7353 (voice) Illinois State Senate District office: 708-872-7500 (voice) Springfield, IL 62706 708-872-3131 (fax) Three cheers for IFHR too. This group is comprised of lobbyists who successfully passed Chicago's ordinance and Cook County's ordinance. Now they're trying at the state level. They're 2 for 2, let's hope for 3 for 3. Contact them for the latest about Senate Bill 994. IFHR 3712 - N. Broadway (#125) Chicago, IL 60613 312-477-7173 (voice) 312-477-6912 (fax) ------------------------------------+------------------------------------ Jim Yorton | Internet: jjy@xnet.com | WWW: http://www.xnet.com/~jjy/