CIVIL UNION BILL UPDATE

Please Take Action!

The House committee vote on the Religious Freedom and Civil Union Act -- HB1826 has been rescheduled for:
Wednesday, March 21, at 8 am
Stratton Building, Room D-1
Springfield, IL

The civil union bill guarantees many of the rights and responsibilities to persons in civil unions that are currently granted to persons in civil marriages. Among those rights are the ability to participate in healthcare visitation and decision making for one’s partner, survivor benefits and the right to make disposition decisions about deceased partner’s remains.

The bill also affirms religious institutions’ right not to recognize such unions or to solemnize a civil union.

How to Take Action:

1. Contact Representative Greg Harris (D-Chicago) and thank him for his sponsorship. Email Rep. Harris at greg@gregharris.org

2. Contact the Human Services Committee members and urge a yes vote on the bill. Make sure you include your personal story about how this bill would impact you and your family:

Rep. Naomi Jakobsson (D-Champaign) - njakobsson@worldnet.att.net
Rep. Patricia Bellock (R-Westmont) - rep@pbellock.com
Rep. Constance Howard (D- Chicago) – a cosponsor of the bill – Thank her. conhow@webtv.net
Rep. Sandy Cole (R-Grayslake) - sandycole@comcast.net
Rep. Annazette Collins (D-Chicago) - collinsar@ilga.gov
Rep. Elizabeth Coulson (R-Glenview) 217-782-4194
Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago) - flowersme@ilga.gov
Rep. Paul Froelich (R-Schaumburg) - statereppaul@sbcglobal.net
Rep. Al Riley (D-Matteson) 217-558-1007

3. To stay up to date on this bill and other issues of LGBT equality in Illinois, visit: Equality Illinois.

4. If you are a youth or adult with one or more LGBT parent/s in Illinois and want to be more involved with supporting this bill, contact COLAGE.