Sample Phone Messages
Urging Support for the Illinois Human Rights Bill

If you call and leave a message for your State Senator or Representative

  • Let the State Senator or Representative know that you live in his/her district
  • "I strongly support the Human Rights Bill (SB101 or HB101) that adds the class of sexual orientation and gender identity to the Illinois Human Rights Act. I urge you to support the passage of this bill and to help ensure that Illinois is a discrimination-free state. It is important that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people share the same fundamental rights as all other people in Illinois -- to live, work and conduct business without discrimination."

If you have a conversation with your State Senator or Representative

  • Let the State Senator or Representative know that you live in his/her district.
  • Currently an employer can legally fire or refuse to hire qualified individuals on simply on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Moreover, a restaurant can refuse to serve a person and a real estate agent can refuse to sell to a person based on their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • This amendment does not convey special rights or privileges, but rather ensures equal rights to all Illinois citizens.
  • Thirteen states in the United States prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and two also include discrimination on the basis of gender identity.
  • Within the State of Illinois, Cook County and Chicago both prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Outside of Cook County, Champaign, Urbana, DeKalb, Decatur and Springfield also have these protections. Several other cities protect on the basis sexual orientation but do not explicitly include gender identity.
  • About 150 Illinois corporations recognize that eliminating discrimination makes good business sense and have policies that protect gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. These include some of the largest employers in Illinois including:

    State Farm Group Bloomington IL
    Sears, Roebuck and Co. Hoffman Estates IL
    Motorola Inc. Schaumburg IL
    Allstate (The Allstate Corp.) Northbrook IL
    Kraft Foods Northfield IL
    Walgreens Co. Deerfield IL
    Bank One Corp. Chicago IL
    Caterpillar Peoria IL
    Archer Daniels Midland Co. Decatur IL
    Abbott Laboratories Abbot Park IL
    United Airlines (UAL Corp.) Elk Grove IL
    Exelon Chicago IL
    McDonald's Corp. Oakbrook IL
    Household International Inc. Prospect Heights IL
    Deere & Co. Moline IL
    Illinois Tool Works Inc. Glenview IL
    Aon Corp. Chicago IL
    Baxter International Inc. Deerfield IL
    Newell Rubbermaid Inc. Freeport IL
    Navistar International Warrenville IL
    Dean Foods Co. Franklin Park IL
    ServiceMaster Downers Grove IL
    R.R. Donnelley & Sons Chicago IL
    Tribune Co. Chicago IL
    W.W. Grainger Skokie IL
    CDW Computer Centers Inc. Vernon Hills IL
    FMC Corp. Chicago IL
    Brunswick Corp. Lake Forest IL
    Northern Trust Corp. Chicago IL
    Comdisco Rosemont IL
    (It would be best to point out an employer within your own district. If you don't find an employer within your senator's or representative's district listed above, please consult with HRC worknet to view the complete list)