I hope by posting this here I can drum up some support for this important bill. If we can get this passed in Illinois maybe other states will follow and we can take this step forward in protecting out beloved fur-friends and family members.
Stella
This humane bill, spearheaded by Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, is currently stuck
in the Illinois Senate Rules Committee. Senator Adeline Geo-Karis and Senator
Kirk Dillard have filed a motion to request that HB 4804 be released from Rules
so it can be voted on by the Senate. The Senate leadership has failed to call a
vote on the motion.
HB 4804 would amend the Illinois Emergency Management Act to require that the
emergency operations plan include plans that take into account the needs of
individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster
or emergency. Tragically in Hurricane Katrina many citizens failed to evacuate
because they had no place to take their pets. Emergency planners need to
recognize the value of the human/companion animal bond and the many advantages
derived by both people and animals through this association. The majority of
Americans consider pets to be family members, which should not be abandoned in
times of crisis.
Please call Senate President Emil Jones at 217-782-2728 or 773-995-7748 and ask
him to call a vote on the motion and support HB 4804. You can fax the Senate
President at 773-995-9061