Human Rights « heathersteans.com

Archive for the ‘Human Rights’ Category

Voter Registration Information

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

December 31, 2009

Dear neighbor,

Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, independent, or other political persuasion, we can all agree our democracy is strengthened with more participation. The last day to register to vote before the February 2, 2010 Primary election is Tuesday, January 5. You can register by downloading the form available at www.chicagoelections.com or you can stop by my office at 5533 N. Broadway on Monday, January 4 during business hours.

Don’t forget that if you have moved since the last time you registered to vote, you must re-register at your new address. Please encourage new neighbors and others who are not registered to do so.

In addition, please use this information from the Chicago Board of Elections to assist with any questions you may have about voter registration and voting.

Click here to check your voter registration status.
Early voting begins January 11. For more information on hours and locations, click here.
If you haven’t registered by the deadline, grace period registration and voting is available only at the Chicago Board of Elections site at 69 W. Washington from January 6 through January 26. For more information, click here.

If you have any questions about voter registration, feel free to contact my office at 773-769-1717 or reply to this e-mail.

Finally, read below for information on our upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Day.

Sincerely,

Heather A. Steans

State Senator

Posted in Human Rights

MAP Grant funding, campaign finance reform and recent awards

Monday, October 19th, 2009

October 19, 2009

Dear neighbor,

This update provides an overview of what happened in Springfield this last week, or first week of veto session. I will also be on Chicago Tonight at 7PM on WTTW Channel 11 tonight to further discuss the happenings in Springfield with other legislators if you’d like to tune in to the show.

Monetary Assistant Program (MAP) Grant Funding

The General Assembly appropriated $200 million in additional funding to fully fund MAP
grants last week and the Governor signed this bill yesterday. The bill authorized the Governor to borrow from other state funds to provide revenue for this program. I voted YES on funding for MAP Grants. I am still very concerned about the long term funding for MAP grants and will continue to work to make sure there is a secure revenue source for this program.

Campaign Finance Reform

Thanks for the many responses regarding campaign finance reform legislation. A great number of you wrote to me about your support for meaningful limits on leadership transfers. These limits are part of ongoing negotiations between the legislative leaders and reform groups. I am hopeful that there will be some meaningful limits in the final legislation that we consider, and I will keep you posted.

Illinois Coalition Against Handgun Violence Awards

Today, I won a Legislative Advocacy Award from the Illinois Coalition Against Handgun Violence for my work on HB3991. This law revokes or denies a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card when a person is subject to an order of protection and was signed by the Governor in August. I am honored to have been able to work on this legislation and to receive this award from the ICHV. You can read more about the bill by clicking here. There is much work to be done to provide sensible handgun control legislation and provide safe communities for our youth.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Best regards,

Heather Steans

Posted in Budget, Campaign Finance, Human Rights, Legislation

Filing the Equal Marriage Act Bill

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Dear Neighbor,

The United States claims to be the most free and independent country in the world. Yet all of our citizens do not have equal rights. In Illinois, same-sex couples have to fight to visit each other in hospitals, make health care decisions, and raise children together.

On October 1st, I was able to do something as a Senator that has never made me feel more proud or honored – I filed the Equal Marriage Act, a bill that would allow same-sex couples in Illinois the right to marry. Senate Bill 2468 will clarify equal marriage rights for same-sex couples across the state – a right that is already enshrined in our constitutional language and traditions.

Rep. Greg Harris (D-13th) has introduced civil union and equal marriage bills in the House each session for each of the past two General Assemblies, but nothing had ever been filed in the Senate.

Five progressive states – Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and our neighboring, Iowa – now have full marriage equality. In Maine, voters will go to the polls to decide whether equal rights should be granted to same-sex couples.

It is under consideration in many other states, and should be made clear to everyone in Illinois that this is a fight we will not quit. Everyone should have the same rights that my husband and I have, and I plan to work hard with my colleagues in the Senate to bring Illinois back to the forefront of human rights.

Sincerely,

Heather

Read SB2468 by clicking here.

Posted in Human Rights, Legislation