Update on Civil Unions

Civil Unions Moves to Third Reading in the House

Today all the fiscal notes which were requested on SB 1716, the Civil Unions legislation, were filed, and the bill was moved to third reading in the Illinois House of Representatives. This legislation can be now be called for a vote at any time. An encouraging word: Even with all the lobbyists working for the passage of SB 1716 yesterday, God gave us favor, and we have not lost any of our votes!!!

Tomorrow will be a telling day, for the sponsor of the SB 1716 has indicated that he is not calling the bill for a vote if he does not have the required 60 votes for passage. One of the reporters told me this afternoon that Rep. Greg Harris (D), the sponsor of the Civil Unions legislation, is feeling tremendous pressure to call the bill for a vote because of all the recent developments regarding same-sex marriage and civil unions in other states. However, if he calls the bill for a vote and loses, he will lose face all across the country and with legislators instead of gathering momentum for the same-sex marriage movement.

We are thankful for the many telephone calls and emails that have been coming into the legislature in the last few days, and look forward to a continued outpouring of opposition to this legislation by believers across the state. Prayerfully, carefully, and graciously contact your legislators and let them know that you oppose civil unions.

Some of you have asked if you should wait until Monday. CALL NOW! The legislature is expected to adjourn late Sunday night or early Monday morning, and will be in session both Saturday and Sunday! Now is not the time to be faint of heart, but to continue with the outpouring of telephone calls and emails to your legislators.

We thank God for each of you who have called or written, and for each of you who are about to call or write your legislators.  Remember, if this legislation passes the Illinois House tomorrow, it could be voted upon in the Senate within a matter of hours. Please do your part in this government of the people, by the people, and for the people, and contact your state legislators to voice your opposition.

Please call your state legislators at (217) 782-2000, and ask them to defend marriage by voting NO on SB 1716, or you can go to the State Board of Elections website at http://www.elections.state.il.us/DistrictLocator/SelectSearchType.aspx , enter your address, and find the contact information for your STATE REPRESENTATIVE and STATE SENATOR.

So-Called "Medical" Marijuana Moves to Third Reading in the House

Many of you have asked about the progression of Medical Marijuana in the House of Representatives. After being rushed through the Human Services Committee early last evening and put on second reading, today SB 1381 was moved to third reading in the House, and is ready to be voted upon. This is terrible public policy for our children and families. Statistically, marijuana use has risen among teenagers in the states that have legalized medical marijuana. While alcohol is the first entry drug that is used by young people who enter the world of drugs, marijuana is the second choice of entry drug, and should not be encouraged. While this is called the "compassionate marijuana use" legislation, there must be compassion toward those who may lose their children to drug usage as a result of passing this legislation. 

Senate sponsor, Senator Bill Haine (D), publicly recognized that there have been tremendous problems with the medical marijuana program in California. In spite of that, SB 1381 allows the state of Illinois to recognized Medical Marijuana cards from all other states. California has had a tremendous problem with availability of medical marijuana cards, with the industry providing their own doctors to certify the needs of patients for medical marijuana. Estimates are that the "Medical" Marijuana industry in California totals over $1 billion per year. All of those easily obtainable "medical" marijuana cards in California are legal to use in Illinois, with no records following those who are carrying the cards.

After reading some of the information about the problems with "dispensaries" in California, it becomes very clear how this "industry" of growing pot for "medical" purposes could easily be taken over by the drug cartels. Because this legislation is on third reading, it could come up for a vote as early as tomorrow.

Budget Negotiations

While talking to a legislator who is involved in the budget negotiations this morning, I was informed that even if the State of Illinois increases its income tax from 3% to 4.7%, the state will need to cut over $3 billion from the state budget to have a balanced budget and to fully fund the pension funds for state employees. At this point, there are no House Republicans who are supporting a tax increase, and according to the figures from Democrats, there are only 39 Democrats who will support a tax increase. This means there will have to be drastic cuts in the Illinois budget, and things will have to move quickly for the legislature to be finished with the budget package by the time they plan to adjourn on Sunday night, May 31.

Please continue to pray for God's favor to be upon us, for His leading and direction, and for an open door with legislators as we continue to lobby them on Civil Unions (same-sex marriage) and "medical" marijuana. Pray for our state's leaders, that we may lead a quiet an peaceable life in all godliness and honesty, for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God, our Savior, who would have all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

In His Service, Rev. Bob