Subject: The Advocate, April 17, 2003, Update From: Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 21:14:56 EDT
To All Advocates:
This is all thanks to your phone calls.
Good News!!! SB-0293 has passed the House Revenue Committee and is ready to be voted on in the Illinois House. SB-0293 has already passed the Senate. I will keep you updated on SB-0293's progress
More Good News!!! Our Illinois Income Tax Check-off donations as of 4/11/03 stand at $67,000 with a lot more tax returns to be counted. It is looking better all the time that we will make our $100,000.
HB-3095 is now in the Senate Health and Human Relation Committee and ready to be voted on by that committee. HB-3095 strengthens the Emergency Evacuation from High Rise Buildings legislation we passed last year with unanimous votes and signed by the governor into law effective January 2004. HB-3095 requires that high rise buildings have an emergency evacuation plan whether or not a person with a disability notifies the building or asks for an emergency evacuation plan. Presently, Sen. Maggie Crotty who is a member of the Health and Human Services Committee is our only sponsor. We need sponsors for HB-3095. Please call your Illinois State Senators and as them to:
1. Support HB-3095; and
2. Co-sponsor, HB-3095. If you need to know who your State Senator is here is the link - http://www.elections.state.il.us/DLS/Pages/DLSAddressCrit.asp
Also, please call members of the Illinois Senate Health and Human Services Committee and ask for their support. Here is the link for their phone numbers -
Health & Human Services - we find phone calls are the most effective and timely way, at present, to get our message to the legislators. Below are talking points and a synopsis of HB-3095.
TALKING POINTS
Senator _______________, I am (state your name) calling to ask your help to strengthen present legislation for emergency evacuation from high rise buildings for persons with disabilities. Legislation passed unanimously both chambers of the Illinois legislature last year and was signed by Governor Ryan into law. The law is effective January 2004, and we want to make sure that the language is clear.
A very simple amendment that high rise buildings have an emergency evacuation plan regardless of notification of the need for a plan by a person with a disability. This is the intent of the law but we want to ensure before the law takes effect in January, 2004, that the language is clear and easy to understand. This legislation was borne out of the September 11, 2001, attack and the people with physical disabilities who were unable to evacuate the World Trade Center. There is widespread agreement this is good legislation, and I ask for your support and sponsorship of HB-3095. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Illinois Chapter, will be happy to give you any information you need. Will you sponsor HB-3095?
If yes, Thank you so much." If unsure, Can someone from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society call you?" If no, "Can I ask why you are opposed?
Please let me know by email if your State Senator needs any information and his/her response.
Thank you so much. We are truly doing great things together. Have a wonderful Holiday.
Yolanda Treiguts, Chair
Advocacy/Government Relations Committee
Greater Illinois Chapter
National Multiple Sclerosis Society