Bastard Nation
Action Alert!

March 09, 2003

Immediate Action Needed - Illinois HB 2298

Say No to Teaching the Baby Dump Law in Illinois Schools

Please write, call, fax, and e-mail the Illinois representatives to VOTE NO to IL HB 2298. This bill will be coming up for a second hearing on the floor of the House of Representatives, possibly as early as March 11th. HB-2298 would add to the Sex Education Act of the Illinois School Code an amendment that reads as follows: "Course material and instruction shall advise pupils of the provisions of the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act." This amendment would apply to all pupil elementary, junior high, and senior high school classes that teach sex education and discuss sexual intercourse. All areas of the school curriculum include teaching students the importance of taking responsibility for their own actions. Pupils must learn that life choices do have consequences. The Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act allows for the anonymous abandonment of an infant which in turn encourages personal irresponsibility.

HB 2298 is in direct conflict with several sections of the existing Illinois Sex Education Act, which mandates that course material and instruction shall include: the discussion of possible emotional and psychological consequences of pre adolescent and adolescent sexual intercourse outside of marriage; the consequences of unwanted adolescent pregnancy; the laws pertaining to financial responsibility to children born in and out of wedlock; and the consequences for males to have sexual relations with females under the age of 18 to whom they are not married.

It is unconscionable for the schools to actually TEACH girls that they can go through a pregnancy all alone, give birth in secret, and then seek out a designated safe haven, drop off the baby and disappear into the sunset –without consideration of any consequences to themselves and to their babies. Safe haven laws must not be taught as the solution to crisis pregnancies.

It is wrong to include material in our school code that will send a message to young men that they can avoid all responsibility as a father by simply dropping off the newborn at any fire station or hospital. If a young man brings an infant to a safe haven, he can even avoid potential criminal penalties for having sex with an unmarried girl under the age of 18. Remember - everyone is anonymous at designated safe havens.

Read the full text at http://http://www.legis.state.il.us/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=&SessionId=3&GA=93&DocTypeId=HB&DocNum=2298

Contact Information

There are 118 representatives in the Illinois General Assembly. Almost two-thirds do not make email addresses available to the public. In an effort to reach all members of the House, we ask that you please contact these three leaders of the House of Representatives.

Michael Madigan – Speaker of the House

300 State Capitol

Springfield, IL 62706

Phone: (217) 782-5350

Fax: (217) 524-1794

Main District Office:

6500 S Pulaski Rd

Chicago, IL 60629

Phone: (773) 581-8000

Fax: (773) 581-9414

Barbara Currie – Majority Leader

E-mail: repcurrie@earthlink.net