News: March 2008

Headlines

• God is Still in Control!
  
• ERA update
• Legislative Update
• Schedule for  2008
• Bits and Pieces

God is Still in Control!

Sometimes when we look at the Illinois General Assembly, and just the state of politics in Illinois, it is easy to get discouraged. The number of far-reaching legislative initiatives that deal with moral issues not only seems to be increasing, but also seems to have an increasing impact on the future of Illinois families.

Yet, in spite of all the radical legislation that has been introduced, and in spite of a political climate in Illinois that seems opposed to the values of Christianity, God has protected us and given us many victories.
In spite of legislation to legalize same-sex marriage, two bills to require civil unions in Illinois, and five bills to provide same-sex domestic partners death benefits, we are hold our own in Illinois.

There has been other legislation (HB 5615), which would not only codify Roe v. Wade, but also allow no restrictions on abortion or contraceptives in Illinois, do away with the medical right of conscience, and require the teaching of comprehensive sex education in Illinois.

Along with these things, the ERA (HJRCA 2) has been moved out of the House Judiciary Committee (by the use of substituted legislators) onto the floor of the House.

While the civil unions bill (SB 2436), sponsored by Senator David Koehler (D-Peoria), has been stopped in the Senate Judiciary Committee, there is a civil unions bill (HB 1826) on the floor of the House. At this point, the legislation is not moving, although it has now been endorsed by the Illinois State Bar Association.

The only domestic partners bill on the floor is also in the House. HB 4731, sponsored by Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), has passed out of the House Pensions Committee (using substitutes again) onto the floor of the House.
Similar legislation (HB1331) was stopped on the floor of the House last year, so we are optimistic about stopping this legislation as well.

Please continue to pray for us as we stand up for Biblical truth and morals in Springfield.

ERA Update

The ERA was voted out of the House Judiciary I Civil Law Committee on February 21, 2008. It is currently on the floor of the House on second reading. Since that time, members of StopERA Illinois have made much progress in contacting legislators in their offices, explaining to them what the impact of ERA would be in our nation.

Because the ERA is a constitutional amendment (HJRCA 2), it requires a 3/5 majority of members (71) to pass it out of the House. The last year the ERA came up for a vote in the House of Representatives was 2003, when it received 76 votes, and passed over to the Senate, where it was stopped on the Senate floor. (Senate President Emil Jones was the lead sponsor of the ERA in the Senate.)
There have been a number of new legislators since 2003, and a greater number of them have made commitments to oppose the ERA. Along with that, other legislators have decided they cannot support the ERA, after talking to constituents and seeing the drastic results of the ERA in state constitutions.

To keep the ERA from passing from the House to the Senate, we need to be certain of at least 48 votes. With your help,we are cautiously optimistic that we can accomplish this.

In the past, we have given you educational materials on the ERA and its effects. On our website, www.concernedchristianamericans.com, you can access this information. Please use this information to contact your legislators, and ask them to vote NO on the ERA.

If you do not know who your legislators are, you can access this information using the link found on the bottom corner of page three of this publication.

When you receive an answer from your legislators on how they will vote on the ERA, we would appreciate you sharing their response with us. As the Easter break ends, and the legislature goes back into session, things will move very quickly.
Your help in contacting legislators and your prayers are vital to us accomplishing our work in Springfield. We will work as though it all depends upon us, but pray because it all depends upon God.

Thank you for your prayers, and your willingness to help make a difference in Illinois and our nation.

Legislative Update

There are a number of bills that have been stopped in the process. There are bills that passed onto the floor of the House or Senate last year that are now back in the Rules Committees.

HB1331—Same-sex domestic partners death benefits for the teachers unions, sponsored by Rep. Greg Harris (D), is back in the House Rules Committee after making it to the floor of the House last year. In its place, HB 4731 has passed out of the Pensions Committee onto the floor of the House.

HB 5110—A Referendum on Gambling Expansion, sponsored by Rep. Paul Foehlich (D), failed to pass out of the Gaming Committee and was put back in the Rules Committee.

HB 5615—The Reproductive Justice and Access Act, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie (D), failed to pass out of the Human Services Committee and is back in Rules. It would have codified Roe v. Wade, removed the Medical Right of Conscience, and required comprehensive sex education in public schools.

HB 5938—The Alternative Treatment bill, sponsored by Rep. Skip Saviano (R), authorizing the use of medical marijuana, failed to pass out of the Health Care Availability and Access Committee and is back in Rules.

SB 2436—Civil Unions Bill, sponsored by Sen. David Koehler (D), failed to pass out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and is back in Rules.

HB1826—The Civil Unions bill, sponsored by Rep. Greg Harris (D), is on the floor of the House. It is endorsed by the Illinois State Bar Association, and is on Second Reading.

HB 4128—Internet Lottery Game, sponsored by Rep. Skip Saviano (R), will put the lottery on the internet, greatly increasing gambling and the problems of internet gambling. On Second Reading in the House.

SB 2099—Lottery-Electronic Sales, sponsored by Sen. John Cullerton (D), will also sell lottery on the internet. On Second Reading in the Senate.

SB 2865—Alternative Treatment, sponsored by Sen. John Cullerton (D), authorizes medical marijuana use in Illinois. On Second Reading in the Senate.

Schedule for 2008

Thank you to those who have already confirmed dates to share our ministries and the Word of God with your local church. It is always an honor to preach the Word of God in your pulpits.

Following are confirmed events where Rev. Vanden Bosch is scheduled to speak. He is happy to give a legislative update, to preach or teach about Christian’s’ responsibility in government.

For information on Rev. Vanden Bosch’s speaking schedule, please call our office, and we will be happy to answer any questions.

April 6th AM First Baptist Church, Rochelle, IL

April 13th PM Ebenezer United Methodist Church, Calhoun, IL

April 27th AM Grace Baptist Church, Taylorville, IL

May 1st PM Christian County Day of Prayer, Taylorville, IL

June 1st PM Park Meadows Baptist School Graduation, Lincoln, IL

June 29th AM Prairie Baptist Chu  rch, Gibson City, IL

If your church, home school group, Christian School, or civic group would like Rev. Vanden Bosch speak for an event or give a legislative update, please contact our office at (847) 526-7339.

There are still some openings in the spring and summer. Please call if you are interested in scheduling an opportunity for Rev. Vanden Bosch to share the ministry of Concerned Christian Americans and Concerned Christian Ministries

Faithful Giving

Many of you have given sacrificially and faithfully to help us with our ministry, while others are not aware of our financial needs. Please consider giving on a regular basis to help support our work in Springfield.

One time gifts are also appreciated, especially since the expenses for our ministry are very high during this part of the year, and travel expenses have greatly increased.

For individuals: For a tax deductible gift, please make out your checks to Concerned Christian Ministries. This will help us to continue to minister, publish literature, publish this newsletter, and educate the Christian community in Illinois. It also helps cover Rev. Vanden Bosch’s expenses as he travels to educate the Christian community.

For churches and Individuals: If you would like to support the ministry of lobbying the Illinois General Assembly, please make your checks out to Concerned Christian Americans. While Concerned Christian Americans is a non-profit organization, donations are not tax deductible. Your financial support is necessary for us to continue to minister effectively with the Illinois General Assembly.

If you have stocks or securities you would like to donate to Concerned Christian Ministries, please feel free to contact us, or contact our broker, Stan Welch, at A.G.Edwards & Sons, in Springfield, IL. His telephone number there is (800) 999-6895, or you can email him at Stanley.Welch@agedwards.com.

Bits and Pieces

Although things are quietly moving along in Springfield, there is an undercurrent of distrust that is running deeply through the legislature. The only leader the Governor trusts is Senate President Emil Jones (D), who is not completely trusted because he chose to override some of the governors amendatory vetoes.

The Senate President is completely distrusted by the other legislative leaders, who came to a deal with him after almost three months of overtime to come up with a budget. All the leaders agreed that if the governor vetoed the budget, they would override the governor’s veto. Senate President Jones came out saying he would support the Governor’s line item vetoes, although he later went back on part of that.

According to Capitol Fax, House Speaker Michael Madigan (D), distrusts House Republican Leader Tom Cross, because he believes Cross may have had something to do with the Governor doing an amendatory veto on the House Democrats projects.
There is no expectation of finishing the legislative session by the end of May, since there are no real discussions that are going on between any of the leaders.
HB 1826, the Civil Unions Bill, is attracting some unusual attention from a social website that supports Civil Unions in Illinois. Currently there are about 8,000 people from across the country who are supporters of this legislation through this “Facebook” website. Rep. Greg Harris (D), the sponsor of the legislation, has posted a message on the website asking members to continue lobbying for the cause, and giving his office contact information.

In the 14th Congressional District, the special election held on Saturday, March 8, to fill the remaining term of Congressman Dennis Hastert, resulted in the surprising result of Democrat Bill Foster winning the seat in what is a traditional Republican stronghold. Both Congressman Foster and Republican Jim Oberweis will be on the ballot again in the November elections.

We hope you had a blessed Easter as you remembered that Jesus Christ died for your sins on the cross of Calvary, and rose again, triumphant over death!