Action Alert for HB1826

CIVIL UNION BILL UPDATE

Please Take Action!

HB1826, the civil union bill, may be presented for a vote on the full House floor at any time.

The bill conveys many of the rights and responsibilities to couples who can not have a civil marriage. Among those rights are the ability to participate in healthcare visitation and decision making for one's partner, survivor benefits and the right to make disposition decisions about deceased partner's remains.

Your state representative and senator need to hear from you that you support this important legislation.

Please take action today:

Complete this action alert to contact your state representative and senator, and urge him or her to vote yes on the Civil Union bill.

For a copy of the bill, go to: HB1826

Tell me more

Talking Points

HB1826 provides recognition and guarantees some of the rights and responsibilities to persons in

civil unions that are currently granted to persons in civil marriages.

Gay and lesbian couples and seniors should have the same inheritance rights, medical decision-making rights and protections as married couples in Illinois.

This bill also affirms religious institutions’ right not to solemnize these unions.

We have come far, but we still have a long way to go before all Illinois families are treated fairly and equitably. You have the power to help make equality a reality in Illinois.

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

As one of your constituents, I am writing you about a question of fairness and equality for all Illinois families.

A bill will soon be presented before the Illinois General Assembly that would grant civil Unions, not only to same sex couples, but also to seniors who fear losing financial resources.  These couples are denied the basic rights of married couples, such as the ability to make emergency medical decisions, decisions on disposition of loved one's remains, and inheritance of property without question. All too often these relationships are not recognized in crisis situations, and partners are treated as 'strangers in the eyes of the law'.

As a citizen of the State of Illinois and a registered voter, I implore you to consider how this issue may affect your constituents and the state as a whole. Passage of The Freedom of Religion and Civil Union Act would guarantee that all families in Illinois would be treated with respect and legitimacy without offending the religious perception of the institution of Marriage.

I ask you to vote yes in support of the civil union bill, and to create an open dialogue with your colleagues in Springfield who may have negative views of civil unions. This is not only an issue of equality for all citizens of Illinois, but it is also a matter of human rights.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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