FAiR Coalition: Call to Action for All FAiR Supporters - Due by Friday, May 1

Greetings FAiR Members and Supporters,

We have done it again! YOUR voice demanding action from our elected officials has helped move SB 636 and SB 637 out of the House Rules Committee and into the House Transportation Committee. Well done! Pat yourselves on the back and then fire up your phone and computer again...This week, we focus on the next steps to keep these bills moving forward for a full vote in the House.

The House Transportation Committee must vote the bills out of committee to eventually be read (and a final vote taken) by the full House. The committee members need to vote it out of Transportation by FRIDAY, MAY 8. If the bills are still in committee on that date, it’s likely that they are dead. Once again, our collective voice and our action is ESSENTIAL RIGHT NOW.

FAiR asks that all members and supporters --city and suburban-- call and email the 9 members of the IL House Transportation Committee AND call and email Mayor Emanuel (phone calls pack more punch and yet both a phone call and email are needed now). While the members have a direct impact through their votes, we know that the mayor can (and does) lobby for legislation. When you call, ask to speak directly with the elected official. If they are not available, leave a message stating exactly what you want. Because this is so time-sensitive, we ask that you do this by Friday, 5/01.

If you wish to review the legislation and track its progress, click on the two links below. They will take you to the IL General Assembly website and directly to the legislation.

SB 636: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=636&GAID=13&DocTypeID=SB&LegId=84599&SessionID=88&GA=99

SB 637: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=637&GAID=13&DocTypeID=SB&LegId=84600&SessionID=88&GA=99

Phone and email #1 - Due Friday, 5/01

Contact all 9 members of the House Transportation Committee:
John D’Amico, Chair, (217) 782-8198, johnd@ilga.gov
Daniel V. Beiser, Vice-Chair, (217) 782-5996, dvbeiser@sbcglobal.net
Michael Unes, Republican Spokesperson, (217) 782-8152, repunes@gmail.com
Avery Bourne, (217) 782-8071, bourne@ilhousegop.org
Dan Brady, (217) 782-1118, dan@rep-danbrady.com
Tim Butler, (217) 782-0053, tbutler@hrs.ilga.gov
Natalie A. Manley, (217) 782-3316, repmanley@gmail.com
Martin J. Moylan, (217) 782-8007, staterepmoylan@gmail.com
Al Riley, (217) 558-1007, rep.riley38@sbcglobal.net

Request that they vote to move SB 636 and SB 637 to the House for a floor vote.
Stress that this is urgent as the legislation needs to pass before one of the diagonals closes in August and the new runway opens up in October.
Tell them the effect that the new flight paths have had on your life.
Follow up with an email to each representative that includes the FAiR Coalition Save the Diagonals flyer (available on the FAiR website at www.fairchicago.org or on our Facebook Page).


Phone calls and emails Part 2 - Due Friday, 5/01

Contact Mayor Rahm Emanuel
Phone: 312-744-3300
Email: https://webapps1.cityofchicago.org/eforms/ (this is a form you’ll have to fill out with name/address as well as complete a “captcha” at bottom)

**When calling, please insist that the person speaking take a message--leave your name, phone number, and your statement.
Ask that Mayor Emanuel use his influence to lobby that SB 636 and SB 637 be passed out of Transportation Committee for a full House vote.
State that you will hold the mayor accountable for the quality of life of communities around O’Hare affected by jet noise and pollution.
Follow up with an email via the city’s official form (at website above). Adding a short personal note makes your email even more powerful.

We need each and every person affiliated with FAiR to make these phone calls and send emails by Friday, 5/01.

Ask your friends and neighbors who may not be FAiR members to do this too.

It is incredible that we have had such an impact in such a short amount of time! Let’s keep up the pressure and momentum to continue moving forward!

Questions? Please ask. Jac Charlier, jac.charlier@gmail.com