Joliet Rally Action Alert

Take Action on the Federal Level:

We call on the Obama Administration and our legislative representatives to work to:

Pass an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act that insists that employees may not be fired on the basis of race, gender, gender-identification, or sexual orientation.

Click here to send a message asking your representative to become a cosponsor of an inclusive ENDA. Be sure to add that you want an inclusive measure that includes protections regardless of sexual orientation and gender-identification. Click here for information on why gender-identification is important.

BE SURE to tell them you want to pass the Military Readiness Enhancement Act with the provision that gender-identity is also included along with sexual orientation. See more about the policy changes needed to ensure protections for trans troops.

Repeal the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy and then allow soldiers to be soldiers on the basis of their merits, not their gender-identity or sexual orientation.

Click here to enter your address (next to the green button) and send a message to your congressional representatives about repealing DADT.

Click here to contact President Obama about repealing DADT.

Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act that has allowed the federal government and most states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages performed in states where they are legally performed.

Sign PFAW’s petition to Dump DOMA .

Click here to send a letter to your representative in support of the Uniting American Families Act, which would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit permanent partners of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the same manner as spouses of citizens and lawful permanent residents and to penalize immigration fraud in connection with permanent partnerships.

Use this tool to find contact information about your representatives and tell them you want DOMA repealed.


Take Action on the State Level:

We call on House Representatives Tom Cross (84th District) and Emily Klunk-McAsey (85th District) to commit to voting yes on SB 1716, the Illinois Religious Freedom and Civil Union Act. We commend Jack McGuire (86th District) for committing to vote yes. We wish to send a strong message to Renee Kosel (81st District) that we will not tolerate the suppression of citizens’ rights.

We also wish to send a strong message to all our state and federal representatives that separate is not equal. Illinois civil unions would not be recognized in most states, and they do not ensure federal spousal benefits. We want equal rights for all US citizens regardless of sexual orientation.

We encourage you to call or write the following representatives and encourage them to support SB 1716 (HB 2234) and to fight for full marriage equality. Click here to link the ACLU’s tool for contacting your state representative. Just enter your address and hit send, but please remember to tell them you want marriage extended to same-sex couples.

Contact Tom Cross (has not committed to vote either way)

Springfield Office:
316 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
217-782-1331 - Telephone
217-782-3234 - Fax

District Office:
24047 W. Lockport St, Ste 213
Plainfield, IL 60544
815-254-0000 - Telephone
815-609-3994 - Fax

Contact Emily Klunk-McAsey (has not committed to vote either way)

Springfield Office:
252-W Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-4179 Telephone
(217) 557-7204 - Fax

District Office:
16151 Weber Road
Suite 204
Crest Hill, IL 60403
(815) 588-0085 - Telephone
(815) 838-9460 - Fax

Contact Jack McGuire (intends to vote yes on civil unions)

Springfield Office:
300 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8090 - Telephone
(217) 524-1794 - Fax

District Office:
121 Springfield Avenue
Joliet, IL 60435
(815) 730-8600 - Telephone
(815) 730-8121 - Fax
Will County

Contact Renee Kosel (promises to vote no on civil unions and same-sex marriage)

Springfield Office:
205-N Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-0424 - Telephone
(217) 557-7249 - Fax

District Office:
19201 South LaGrange Rd.
Suite 204 B
Mokena, IL 60448
(708) 479-4200 - Telephone
(708) 479-7977 - Fax

For more information on Senate Bill 1716 (House Bill 2234), see this fact sheet.

To send a free fax to your Illinois representative in favor of the civil unions bill, click here. Remember to tell them you want marriage extended to same-sex couples..


Take Action on the Local Level:

We call on local citizens to work toward a culture of inclusivity that actively fights against homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism, and classism. We call specifically for safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ people in public and private schools and within bodies of worship. Let’s all work together to create a just community that respects and supports all identities.

See this article on fighting racism and transphobia in the LGBT community.

See the Gay Straight Alliance for safe schools.

See the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance.

See the Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches, which will have updates for the Joliet and surrounding area shortly.