We need people to be on the look out for recent news stories or articles including, but not limited to, the AWA, court rulings, residency restrictions, and lawsuits both in IL and other states. Many of these news stories or articles have a place for posting online comments. Posting comments is a good way to educate the public. This can be done in the comfort of your own home any time of day or night.
We need people to search the web for recent studies including, but not limited to, debunking the myths of RSOs, the AWA in other states, and the ineffectiveness of the current trend in laws. This also can be done in the comfort of your own home any time of day or night.
We need people who have spare time during the day to make phone calls to other states for certain projects we are working on.
We need everyone to meet in person with their Representative and Senator. Tell them your personal story of how these laws impact you and your family. Bring them the fact sheets (available on the website). Cite current research about how the majority of these laws do nothing to increase public safety. Explain that many RSOs committed non-violent offenses, many were teenagers or young adults at the time of their crime, many were first-time offenders, yet ALL have to follow the same harsh restrictions as the worst of the worst FOR LIFE. If you don't know who your own Senator or Representative is, you shouldn't be voting in the first place.
Tips when meeting with your Legislator:
Don't be angry. They won't listen to you, nor should they.
Don't say you won't vote for them in the next election. They don't care.
Don't say "their" laws have ruined your life, your son/daughter's life, your spouses life. Just tell them the hardships you and your family have to face and they can make their own conclusions.
Don't walk in without an idea of what you want to say.
Don't make things up or exaggerate the facts.
Dress professionally.
During the session (Jan-May, then again in Oct-Nov) we need people to call, write, email, and/or fax letters in opposition to bills (or in support of bills, as the case may be). Even if you've done this once during the session, you will probably have to do it two, three, four, or even more times. "Hot topic" or controversial bills tend to get drawn out -- on purpose.
During the session we need people to fill out witness slips in opposition to bills (or in support of bills, as the case may be) and mail (for the House) or bring them in person or get them to someone going to Springfield (for the Senate). Even if you've done this once during the session, you will probably have to do it two, three, four, or even more times. See above.
During the session we need people who can drop everything and make the trip to Springfield for hearings, sometimes with less than a day's notice. You can testify if you want, but it's more important to fill the room with people whether we are in opposition of a bill or if we support a bill. Again, you might have to do this week after week after week after week, especially for these types of bills. This is the most crucial part of stopping bad bills or ensuring good bills make it to the Floor.
We need people who are willing to spend their own money on postage for mailing letters, gas for traveling to and from Springfield, and hotel rooms in Springfield, if need be. We would love to reimburse everyone for these expenses, but we get very few donations. Most of the expenses for the 2011 session came out of a few pockets.
By the time the end of May rolls around, those who have worked on reforming these laws will be burnt out, exhausted, frustrated, and angry. You will have spent a lot of money, time, and energy on something that seems to have been a total waste. You will feel like no one in Springfield listened to your plight and that their re-election is more important than effective laws. You will learn about a system designed to make it virtually impossible to oppose these types "feel-good" bills. You will want to move to another state where the laws aren't so restrictive (yet, anyway). You will swear you won't waste another moment on this cause and learn to accept what happens. You will feel that you have utterly failed, letting down not only yourself and your loved one (the RSO), but every other RSO in the state you were fighting for.
And you'd be right. For a while. However, after you give it time for the dust to settle and to lick your wounds, you will realize that all the hard work, time, money, and effort did make a difference. A small difference, but a difference. In the 2011 session, less than 25% of the bills pertaining to RSOs passed. Without people to fight these bills, 100% of them would have passed.
We realize not everyone can take the time off work to get to Springfield week after week. Keep in mind, though, being able to do so is the most important aspect of this fight. We don't make the schedule as to when bills will be read at a hearing and those times can and will change. Controversial bills can be dragged on for weeks in order to weaken the opposition. It's all part of the process.
Without dedicated people to take on the challenges listed, our lawmakers will continue to draft and pass more of these bills. They do so because it is easy, because no one has had the guts to stand up against them. That has now changed.
If you are up for this challenge, we welcome you. You can reach us by clicking on the "Contact Us" link on the left.
