HB 2827, the attack on homeschooling in Illinois, passed out of committee and will proceed to the full House for a vote. Even with a record high of over 51,000 witness slips filed in opposition and thousands filling the State Capitol last Wednesday, the bill passed on a partisan vote with one Democrat voting “present.”
Those on the committee witnessed a continuous flood of homeschooling families with their well-behaved children holding signs, praying, chanting and even singing on the first and second floors of the Capitol. Families that believe in education choice and parental rights definitely let those that are elected to represent them know that this legislation is unnecessary.
The bill threatens families that don’t register with the local school districts with fines and jail time. It allows for review of educational materials to determine if they’re adequate. Those who would do the reviewing are the same ones that are currently failing students in government schools and have been for years. Only 31% of high school seniors can read at grade level and only 26% can do math at grade level.
TAKE ACTION: This isn’t over yet. It still has to be voted on in the Illinois House and then go through the process all over again in the Illinois Senate. Please continue to pray that enough state lawmakers will reject this expansion of government authority over homeschooling families, and that the bill will stall out.
Even if you have already emailed your state representative, email him/her again.
Click HERE to send an email.
MORE ACTION: Then flood their offices with phone calls. Urge a NO vote on the House floor when it comes up for a vote. Click HERE to look up their Springfield office number. Also, call the Speaker’s Office at 217-782-5350. He has the power to stop the bill. HB 2827 could be brought to the floor for a vote as early as tomorrow.
MORE BILLS to OPPOSE
While the Senate is off for a week, the House will be debating other bills that passed out of committee. Please call your state senator on a Senate Bill (SB) and your State Representative on a House Bill (HB). Find their names and contact information HERE.
SB 9 – Senator Linda Holmes (D): the physician-assisted suicide bill has had its deadline extended for a committee vote until April 4th. This will be the bill that moves forward, as HB 1328 was sent back to the Rules Committee. We will let you know when witness slips become available. You can still call your state senator and tell him/her that you oppose giving the option to end one’s life by suicide. It’s a horrible tragedy and the reason we have a hot line devoted to coming alongside people to help them overcome it.
TAKE ACTION: Click HERE to send an email to your state senator. Urge a NO vote if the bill passes out of committee.
HB 3489 – Rep. Michelle Mussman (D): Redefines the “practice of pharmacy” to include assessment and consultation of patients and the dispensing of emergency contraception, otherwise known as the morning after pill, an abortifacient.
TAKE ACTION: Click HERE to email your state rep to oppose HB 3489.
HB 3637 – Rep. Dagmara Avelar (D): Amends numerous health care laws. Prohibits the Illinois Department of Health from taking disciplinary action against a person who has had their license revoked in another state as a result of violating the state’s laws against certain medical procedures, such as abortions, from practicing medicine in Illinois. Additionally, a drug not approved by the Food & Drug Administration, but one that has been recommended by the World Health Organization shall not be deemed an adulterated drug, even if the drug’s labelling reflects prior approval that is no longer in effect.
TAKE ACTION: Click HERE to email your state rep to oppose HB 3637.
HB 2589 – Kelly Cassidy (D): A pharmacist shall (rather than may) sell up to 100 hypodermic needles to a person 18 years of age upon request. What possible reason could an 18-yr-old need 100 hypodermic needles for?! This, in our opinion, will make it easier for young adults to inject their drug of choice.
TAKE ACTION: Click HERE to email your state rep to oppose HB 2589.
Thank you!
