[il-talk] determining your representatives and locating their contact information

[Bill Reif]

Hello,


House Bill 2626, our Parental Rights for the Blind Act, has passed the 
House Judiciary Civil Committee, and will now be considered by the full 
house. Although committee passage normally bodes well for passage by the 
full house, this certainly is not assured in this case where the 
Department of Children and Family Services opposes the bill. Each of us 
must call or write our respective representative to urge their support 
of this important legislation. We must point out that many parents in 
custody disputes and sometimes upon the birth of their children are 
threatened with termination of custody or limitation of unsupervised 
visitation based almost exclusively on the fact that they are blind and 
the unwillingness of some courts or social workers to believe that the 
blind can safely supervise and interact with them. A similar effort will 
need to be undertaken in the Senate when the bill is considered there.


The easiest way to do this is to visit the site elections.state.il.us 
and look for the district/official search link. You will find links for 
the desktop or the mobile version. The district version is not 
accessible for most of us. If you know your nine-digit zip, type it in 
the address box, tab past clear, and press enter on the search button. 
Alternatively, you can type in your address in the form [street number 
and name], [city], and [state]. You will then be taken to a similar page 
with a "confirm address" button, which you will press to be taken to the 
listing, which will be something like the below for mine. Much of what's 
blank on mine would, on the site, be actual links to their web sites, 
etc. If you can't get this process to succeed for you, please feel free 
to call me at 217-801-2996.


I am told by those who do such work that email is the least effective 
form of contact, with snail mail letters being the most effective, 
except on the federal level due to the Anthrax attacks of several years 
ago. Know the bill number and a little about its substance, and 
determine that the person who answers the phone is the one who will 
convey your request to the representative. Calling the Springfield 
office is your best bet to connect with someone, as some local offices 
are rarely staffed.


Cordially,

Bill Reif, State Legislation Committee Co chair

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois


addressfinder
62702-3835

U.S. Congressional District #13

Official: Rodney Davis - Republican
Office: US Representative
Email:
Website:www.rodneydavis.house.gov
Contact Information:

2833 S. Grand Avenue East
Springfield, IL 62703
Phone: 217-791-6224
Fax: 217-791-6166

108 E. Market Street
Taylorville, IL 62568
Phone: 217-824-5117
Fax: 217-824-5121

243 S. Water Street, Suite 100
Decatur, IL 62523
Phone: 217-791-6224
Fax: 217-791-6168

15 Professional Park Drive
Maryville, IL 62062
Phone: 618-205-8660
Fax: 618-205-8662

2004 Fox Drive
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: 217-403-4690
Fax: 217-403-4691

104 W. North Street
Normal, IL 61761
Phone: 309-252-8834
Fax:

1740 Longworth House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-2371
Fax: 202-226-0791


Senate District #44

Official: William E. Brady - Republican
Office: State Senator
Email:
Website:
Contact Information:

103B State Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
Phone: 217-782-6216
Fax: 217-782-4079

2203 Eastland Drive
Suite 3
Bloomington, IL 61704
Phone: 309-664-4440
Fax: 309-664-8544


Representative District #87

Official: Tim Butler - Republican
Office: State Representative
Email:butler at ilhousegop.org
Website:
Contact Information:

1128-E Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
Phone: 217-782-0053