Picture
Express your opposition to Illinois SB1882 and HB2824 to our state's decision-makers. Tell them that you want our communities to keep our companion animal and consumer protection ordinances and be able to enact more of them. Tell them they are not strengthening any protections for animals or consumers - only protecting pet stores, breeders, and other businesses that profit from the suffering of animals in commercial breeding facilities. Learn more about this proposed legislation on The Puppy Mill Project website or WGN Radio host Steve Dale's Pet World website.

Why take this action? It works. Senators Jil Tracy, Linda Holmes, Sam McCann, and Emil Jones III and Representative John D'Amico have already revoked their sponsorship of the bill after hearing from their constituents.

1. File a witness slip in opposition to HB2824.

On March 15, the House of Representatives' Business Licenses Subcommittee delayed its hearing on HB2824 to March 29. This bill was originally scheduled for hearing by its Business & Occupational Licenses Committee on March 8 but it was sent to the subcommittee instead. This week is the last chance for the House to get this legislation out of Committee, so please file a witness slip in opposition to the bill. Even if you have already filed a witness slip against HB2824, you need to file another one - they are cleared after every hearing.

Filing a witness slip is quick and easy, and can be done online. Click here to access the witness slip. Fill in your contact information in Section I. (In the Firm/Agency and Title fields in the form, you can put "Self" or "NA.") Don't use any punctuation or special characters. In Section III, select the "Opponent" option. In Section IV, if you only want to express your opposition, select the "Record Of Appearance Only" option, then check the box to agree to the terms, complete the CAPTCHA, click "Create Slip" and you're done!

2. Contact the members of the Illinois House of Representatives' Business Licenses Subcommittee that is considering HB2824 and urge them to oppose it.

Please reach out to the members of the Business Licenses Subcommittee and urge them to oppose HB2824:Phone calls are most effective, but you can copy and paste to email the members of this subcommittee at once: RobertBobRita@aol.com; Repevans33@gmail.com; keith@davidreis.org

3. Contact the members of the Senate Licensed Activities and Pensions Committee that is considering SB1882 and urge them to oppose it.

The Senate's Licensed Activities and Pensions Committee is currently considering SB1882. It is absolutely critical that we contact these Committee members because one of them is a co-sponsor of the bill. Phone calls are most effective, but you can copy and paste to email many of the members of this committee at once - just don't forget to also reach out to those without email addresses: ilsenate20@sbcglobal.net; Aquino.senate2il@gmail.com; BertinoTarrant@senatedem.illinois.gov; info@senatormelindabush.com; harris@senatedem.illinois.gov; msandoval@senatedem.ilga.gov; pamela@pamelaalthoff.net; dan@danmcconchie.com​

4. Contact the sponsors and co-sponsors of these bills in the Illinois Senate and House and urge them to revoke their sponsorship.

Senate Bill Sponsors: Phone calls are most effective!

House of Representatives Sponsors: Phone calls are most effective, but you can copy and paste to email all the Representative Sponsors at once: staterepcostello@gmail.com; rephammond@macomb.com; repfrese@adams.net; statereplarrywalshjr@gmail.com; McDermed@ilhousegop.org; staterepterribryant@gmail.com

5. Contact your own Senator and Representative (even if they are not sponsors of this bill) and tell them that animal welfare is important to you and that there is dangerous legislation (SB1882/HB2824) pending that you do not support. Locate your State Senator and State Representative on the Board of Elections website.

6. If you live in Chicago, call your alderman. Tell them that there is state legislation that will invalidate a city ordinance and deny Chicago’s home rule authority on an issue that is very important to you. Ask them to voice their opposition to SB1882/HB2824 and stand up for Chicago’s right to regulate the source of dogs and cats sold in your community. You can also do this for your Cook County Commissioner if you live in Cook County.

As long as we remain diligent, this disgraceful attempt to undo the good work of local governments will fail. Thank you for raising your voice!