Action Alert! Oppose Anti-Protest Legislation in Illinois

Take Action Today to Oppose Anti-Protest Legislation in Illinois!

HB1633, the “Illinois Critical Infrastructure Bill” is currently in front of the Illinois Senate. The legislation is backed by the conservative lobbying group ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) as a way to suppress climate justice protests. It will create new criminal offenses and increase penalties for “trespassing,” “interference” and “vandalism” at “Critical Infrastructures” like pipelines.

HB1633 was scheduled last minute for hearings TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 28, in the Criminal Law Committee and Subcommittee on CLEAR Compliance.

We, as the Chicago Chapter of NLG, have joined a coalition of other organizations opposed to HB1633.

Allied organizations are calling to take action today! Please fill out witness slips in OPPOSITION to this bill. The links to submit witness slips are below.

Hearing Notice For Criminal Law – 5/28/2019 10:01 AM
http://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create/116175?committeeHearingId=17273&LegislationId=116175&LegislationDocumentId=147293

Hearing Notice For Subcommittee on CLEAR Compliance – 5/28/2019 10:00 AM
http://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create/116175?committeeHearingId=17272&LegislationId=116175&LegislationDocumentId=147293&SCommittees5%2F30%2F2019-page=1&committeeid=0&chamber=S&nodays=7&_=1558651512971

In addition, please contact the Illinois Senators below, particularly if you are a constituent of any of the listed Senators.

The message is simple “The People of IL oppose HB1633 in any form”

Senate President Cullerton’s office- (217) 782-2728

Members of the Criminal Law Committee:
District 52 Bennett (217) 782-2507
District 57 Belt (217) 782-5399
District 56 Crowe (217) 782-5247
District 10 Mulroe 217) 782-1035
District 13 Peters (217) 782-5338

Also,send a “Thank You” for standing firm as a NO vote
Senator Sims (217) 782-3201
Senator Van Pelt (217) 782-6252

For more background and information:

As part of National Lawyers Guild’s (NLG) mission to defend dissent and supporting human rights and environmental justice, NLG is opposed to bills like HB1633 that criminalize environmental activists. At a national level, the NLG has publicly opposed similar “Critical Infrastructure” bills. NLG’s Director of Research and Education Traci Yoder has written about anti-protest bills like HB1633 and the broader attacks on the climate justice movement.

For more information on HB1633 and “Critical Infrastructure” bills like it:

ALEC Wants to Make Protest Illegal in Illinois

After Standing Rock, protesting can get you a decade in prison

Fossil Fuel Companies Are Enlisting Police to Crack Down on Protesters

Contact