HRC Blog

Today not only marks the start of the Memorial Day weekend and with it the beginning of summer, it also marks seven days until the Illinois House of Representatives adjourns from Spring Session. That means only seven days remain to secure a YES vote on SB10, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act.
 
Last night, HRC staff and leadership in New York joined Marriage Equality USA as they phone banked for marriage in Illinois.  MEUSA has been a great partner in the efforts in Delaware, Minnesota and Rhode Island this year.  As the other campaigns wrap-up, they continue to join us for the final countdown to next Friday in Illinois.
 
Over the holiday weekend, there are a number of things supporters can do to make sure we continue to press forward to see the bill passed by next Friday.  With yesterday’s launch of 8 Days of Action, the Illinois Unites for Marriage coalition is urging you to take the following actions over the weekend:
 
Today

Send a personal email to all your Illinois friends and family. Tell them why you support marriage.  They can take action at:  illinoisunites.org/itstime

Tomorrow

Join us at the final Saturday phonebank.  Details available at Illinoisunites.org/events

Sunday

Post a picture of your family on facebook and tell everyone why you support marriage. Ask your friends to take action at http://www.illinoisunites.org/itstime

Monday

Join the tweet-a-thon. Go to http://www.aclu-il.org/socialmedia, to look up Representatives twitter handles and send them a message:  We’re counting on you to make history by voting for #marriage before the end of the month!
 
As I prepare to head to Springfield next week, and our field organizers in volunteers in Illinois continue the work HRC started in January with our coalition partners in Illinois, the tension is mounting and the excitement is palpable.  Our investment in the field program of Illinois Unites for Marriage – and the actions of our nearly 70,000 members and supporters in the state of Illinois has made a significant difference in the campaign.  I can’t wait to see it all come to fruition next week and I urge you to join us in taking action as you enjoy Memorial Day Weekend.

Fresh off the Rhode Island marriage campaign, HRC Senior Field Organizer David Turley joins Marriage Equality USA in New York to phone bank for Illinois.

HRC Staff and NY Board and Steering Committee members join volunteers at the Marriage Equality USA Illinois phone bank on Thursday evening.