2013 IFI Springfield Update
The 2013-2014 General Assembly session is well underway. Our state lawmakers are in session until May 31st and can work to pass any of the following bills. Please take a few moments to contact your state senator and representative. The Capitol switchboard number is (217) 782-2000. (For printable version, click here)
Marriage Redefinition (SB 10) – Sponsored by State Representative Greg Harris (D-Chicago). This bill has already passed the Illinois Senate on February 14th, and is now being considered in the Illinois House, but it faces significant opposition. It can be stopped if citizens are willing to speak out and take a stand.
“Comprehensive” Sex Education (HB 2675) –– Sponsored by State Representative Camille Lilly (D-Chicago). This bill would mandate that public school who teach sex education teach “comprehensive” sex education in grades 6-12. Illinois law currently mandates that schools teach abstinence until marriage. Teaching “comprehensive” sex education is currently optional as a local school decision.
“Medical” Marijuana (HB 1) –– Sponsored by State Representative Lou Lang (D-Skokie). This bill allows a “qualified” patient to have 2.5 ounces of marijuana every 14 days (183 joints, 13 per day). Even the most experienced user smokes an average of three or four joints a day, potentially allowing the surplus to be sold on the streets. Moreover, “medical” marijuana laws normalize marijuana use, which significantly decreases the perception of harm especially among adolescents and teens.
Gambling Expansion (SB 1739) – Sponsored by State Senator Terry Link (D-Gurnee). This 500+ page bill adds 5 new casinos, authorizes video slot machines at existing racetracks (creating 6 new racinos) and would make Illinois one of the first states to legalize gambling from home on the Internet.
Compulsory School Age Attendance (SB 1307) – Sponsored by State Senator Kimberly Lightford (D-Chicago). This proposal would extend government control over children by lowering the compulsory school age from 7 to 5. Current law requires school attendance beginning at age 7. Parents, not government bureaucrats, are best suited to decide when their children should begin school.
The Ultrasound Opportunity Act (HB 2683) – Sponsored by State Representatives Barbara Wheeler (R-Fox Lake) and David McSweeny (R-Cary). This bill would require abortion providers to simply offer an ultrasound picture to women considering abortion. The choice of whether or not to view the ultrasound picture is still hers. Research has proven that between 70 to 90 percent of “abortion minded” women who see an image of their unborn child chose life.
Abortion Clinic Safety Regulations (HB 2684) – Sponsored by State Representatives Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) and Barbara Wheeler (R-Fox Lake). This legislation would require abortion clinics that perform more than 50 abortions a year to meet basic safety regulations of other surgical outpatient treatment centers.
Marriage Amendment (SJRCA 9) Sponsored by State Senator Sam McCann (R-Jacksonville) and (HJRCA 6) sponsored by State Representatives Dan Beiser (D-Alton) and Dwight Kay (R-Edwardsville). These constitutional amendments would permanently define marriage as the union of one man and one woman in the Illinois Constitution.