H.B. 4160, the Family Violence Option—Keep Up the Pressure!

Last month we asked our readers to call members of the Illinois Senate Rules Committee to release House Bill 4160, the Family Violence Option, and assign the bill to a committee for a hearing on the merits of the legislation. In spite of all your efforts, the Rules Committee has not released the bill. We must keep up the pressure to pass the Family Violence Option.

Now is the time to contact the senate president, Senator James "Pate" Philip, since he is responsible for holding H.B. 4160 in the Rules Committee. Send calls and faxes to his Springfield office, 217.782.8194 (phone) or 217.782.7818 (fax).

Ask Senator Philip to allow the Family Violence Option legislation (whether it is in its current form as H.B. 4160 or amended to another bill) to be released from the Senate Rules Committee and then to support the Family Violence Option on its merits. Tell him:

• Gov. George Ryan supports the Family Violence Option.

• The Department of Human Services supports the Family Violence Option.

• The Family Violence Option has strong bipartisan support.

• Federal TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) dollars will cover any costs associated with the Family Violence Option.

• Forty-one states have adopted the Family Violence Option.

• The experience of other states demonstrates that women do not lie about domestic violence and they do not abuse the Family Violence Option. Only those women who really need them receive any waivers of TANF program requirements.

Call or fax today. Thank you.

Contact Wendy Pollack, National Center on Poverty Law, 312.263.3830 ext. 238 if you need more information about the Family Violence Option.