Despite a setback earlier this month, and what this article might lead you to believe, Rep. Julie Hamos and the co-sponsors of the Illinois’ Home Birth Safety Act, HB 226, are still working on getting the bill passed this session. They need all the help we can give them to turn legislators’ “no’s” into “yes’s”.
If you live in Illinois, please let your legislators know that you support HB 226 and women’s right to give birth where we choose. You can go here to find out who your state representative and senator are and get their phone numbers and mailing addresses. For tips and talking points you can refer to info here and here. This bill needs ALL the support we can give it, so please understand – I am asking YOU to join me and do this!
As an incentive, I finally finished going through my pictures from the road trip I took with my kids to lobby for the bill earlier this month. (Thanks to Kathleen, for helping me figure out how to post them). The photos aren’t going to win any awards (except maybe one that Elijah took). But they tell the story of the day, so have a look at them and then support the effort and call and write your legislators!
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- Elijah and Grace, my travel and lobbying companions for the day
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- The changing table at Exit 164 on our way to the capitol
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- Capitol and sliver of the Stratton Office Building
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- left to right: Elijah Catania, Grace Catania, Amy Catania, House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie
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- Nice security guard, home birth mama and baby outside HB 226 hearing.
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- Standing room only in the hearing room
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- Blurry representatives (and a different view of that column)
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- The House floor – OK so, I’m a better advocate than photographer.
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- Windows in the Rotunda
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- Rotunda ceiling
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- Exercising my right to breastfeed
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- After the hearing concluded
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- Empty hearing room
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- Our parting shot
