Illinois

As you know from my last e-alert, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), SJRCA0004, passed the Illinois Senate and is now in the House. Specifically, it is in the House Rules Committee, set to be heard MONDAY.  Though a vote is not expected on that day, it could be taken at any time.

Therefore, a vote is expected in both the committee and House as early as some time this next week. Both the members of the committee and your representative need to hear from you.

 If passed, the ERA would:

• Add these words to the U.S. Constitution: “Equality of rights under law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.”
• Wipe out all ability to use any laws using gender as a defining characteristic therefore overturn workplace and family laws that protect women; privacy laws that define who may use gender oriented bathrooms and locker rooms; and religious freedom laws.
• Integrate same-sex and bi-sexual attraction into the U.S. Constitution.
• Be used to write abortion rights into our U.S. Constitution with the rationale that restricting access to abortion is a form of gender discrimination (since it singles women out for a physical aspect unique to them).
• Affect additional areas of life including social security, Medicare, health, insurance benefits, Medicare benefits, and more.

Click here to read SJRCA0004 and track it through the Illinois Legislature.

Since it passed in the Senate, April 11, the number of House co-sponsors has gone from one to 29.

We conservatives need to fight twice as hard to see that it is defeated in the Illinois House. The committee members and your representative needs to hear from you!

 Please take action:

1. Contact the five members of the House Rules Committee TODAY and ask them to vote NO on SJRCA0004, the resolution to adopt the ERA. Let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Illinois. Click here for their contact information.
2. Fill in a Witness Slip today or early next week. It’s easy!

Log onto: click here

Click on:  Create Witness Slip

Fill out the form:

IDENTIFICATION
Name
Address
Firm/Business or Agency:  CWA of Illinois or, Concerned Citizen
Title:  Concerned Illinois citizen
Email
Phone
POSITION
Subject: (click on box; choose SJRCA-R
Opponent
TESTIMONY
Record of Appearance
CHECK
I Agree to the ILGA Terms of Agreement.
Click slip.

3. Contact your representative today or early next week and ask him/her to vote NO on SJRCA0004, the resolution to adopt the ERA. Let their office know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Illinois. Click here to find out who he/she is and how to contact.
4. Forward this e-alert to every like-minded individual you know. Ask them to both pray and take action immediately.
5. If you live in the Chicago area, consider attending the hearing on Monday at 10 am at C-600, 6th Floor Michael A. Bilandic Bldg., 160 North LaSalle Street, Chicago.

ERA proponents, buoyed by pro-abortion, pro-LGBQT victories last session, are eager to pass the resolution while Gov. Rauner is in office.  Rauner, who originally campaigned on the promise he would remain neutral on social issues, has a 100% record of signing horrific social issues bills into law – including tax-payer abortion and transgender birth certificate bills. 

Please pray. Thank the Lord for the many times He has held back the ERA in Illinois.  Ask Him to once again intervene on our behalf and end this abominable law once and for all.

ERA History:

• In order to be added to the U.S. Constitution, the ERA needed approval by legislatures in three-fourths (38) of the 50 states by 1979.
• To date 36 states have ratified the ERA, one of which was after the 1979 deadline.
• If two more states ratify it, the U.S. Constitution can be amended if a suspension were given.
• From 1972 – 2017 the Illinois General Assembly has voted NO on ERA 13 times.

Do not grow weary.  I know we have fought this year after year, but because we fought it, we have stopped it year after year. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:0).

Debbie Leininger
State Director
CWA of Illinois
director@illinois.cwfa.org
il.cwfa.org
(815) 297-2918

Become a part of CWA of Illinois! Together we can make a difference in our communities, state and country. Contact me today!

We must stop the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in the House!  Please contact your representatives immediately!

 As you may know, the Senate passed the resolution to adopt the Equal Rights Amendment, SJRCA0004, on April 11 with a vote of 43-12. Unbelievably, seven uninformed Republicans joined with Senate Democrats, justifying their “Yes” votes as supporting “women’s rights”.  They are:  Pam Althoff (R-Crystal Lake), Jason Barickman (R-Pontiac), Mike Connelly (R-Wheaton), Karen McConnaughay (R-West Dundee), Chris Nybo (R-Hinsdale), Sue Rezin (R-Morris), and Tom Rooney (R-Palatine).

SJRCA0004 is now in the House Rules Committee. Click here to read it and track it through the Illinois Legislature.

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) proponents, buoyed by pro-abortion, pro-LGBQT victories last session, are eager to pass the resolution while Gov. Rauner is in office.  Rauner, who originally campaigned on the promise he would remain neutral on social issues, has a 100% record of signing horrific social issues bills into law – including tax-payer abortion and transgender birth certificate bills.

Since April 11, the number of House co-sponsors went from one to 27.

We conservatives need to fight twice as hard to see that it is defeated in the Illinois House. Your Representative needs to hear from you!

Please take action:

1. Contact the five members of the House Rules Committee and ask them to vote NO on SJRCA0004, the resolution to adopt the ERA. Let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Illinois. Click here for their contact information.
2. Contact your representative and ask him/her to vote NO on SJRCA0004, the resolution to adopt the ERA. Let their office know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Illinois. Click here to find out who he/she is and how to contact.

Please pray:

• Thank the Lord for the many times He has held back the ERA in Illinois. Ask Him to once again intervene on our behalf and end this abominable law once and for all.

If passed, the ERA would:

• Add these words to the U.S. Constitution: “Equality of rights under law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.”
• Wipe out all ability to use any laws using gender as a defining characteristic therefore overturn workplace and family laws that protect women; privacy laws that define who may use gender oriented bathrooms and locker rooms; and religious freedom laws.
• Integrate same-sex and bi-sexual attraction into the U.S. Constitution.
• Be used to write abortion rights into our U.S. Constitution with the rationale that restricting access to abortion is a form of gender discrimination (since it singles women out for a physical aspect unique to them).
• Affect additional areas of life including social security, Medicare, health, insurance benefits, Medicare benefits, and more.

ERA History:

• In order to be added to the U.S. Constitution, the ERA needed approval by legislatures in three-fourths (38) of the 50 states by 1979.
• To date 36 states have ratified the ERA, one of which was after the 1979 deadline.
• If two more states ratify it, the U.S. Constitution can be amended if a suspension were given.
• From 1972 – 2017 the Illinois General Assembly has voted NO on ERA 13 times.

Do not grow weary.  I know we have fought this year after year, but because we fought it, we have stopped it year after year. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:0).

Debbie Leininger
State Director
CWA of Illinois
director@illinois.cwfa.org
il.cwfa.org
(815) 297-2918

Become a part of CWA of Illinois! Together we can make a difference in our communities, state and country. Contact me today!

Dear Friend,

A vote is expected any day now in both the House and Senate.  Please take action immediately!

In a brazen attempt to indoctrinate public school age children K-12 to embrace the LGBTQ lifestyle, State Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and State Rep. Anna Moeller (D-Elgin) have sponsored identical bills in both houses of the Illinois General Assembly.

Known as the SCH CD-LGBT-UNIT OF INSTRCTION, SB 3249 and HB 5596, if passed, would mandate that K-12 public school classes include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the role and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of this country and this state.

When was the last time someone was commended for something because of their sexual preference?  This is not logical; it is an affront to our religious beliefs.

This legislation would put schools in the position of proselytizing Illinois children.  Schools would be mandated to brainwash impressionable school-aged children into believing the LGBTQ is a healthy, legitimate lifestyle.

Both bills have passed out of committee, and are both expected to be voted on any day.

Please take action immediately:

1. Contact both your senator and representative. Ask them to reject LGBTQ social engineering in public schools by voting NO on SB 3249 if you are addressing your senator and HB 5596 if you are addressing your representative.  Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Illinois. Click here to find out who they are and how to contact them. Do not hesitate to contact them after hours. If you contacted your legislators last month after receiving our March 3 e-alert, do not hesitate to contact them again.
2. Forward this e-alert to like-minded friends and family.  Encourage them to pray and take action as soon as absolutely possible.

Please pray and ask the Lord to:

• Forgive us as the church for our complacency. May we strive to stand for righteousness and oppose evil laws.
• Put a halt to the LGBTQ’s anti-Christ agenda in Illinois and America.
• Touch the heart of your specific legislators. May He draw them closer to Himself unto salvation if they do not yet know Him.

Click on bills to read and track status.
SB 3249
HB 5596

The Bible calls us to be pro-active in protecting our children.

• Remember, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin,” (James 4:17).

• Remember, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it,” (Proverbs 22:6).
• Remember, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!” (Matthew 18:5-7).

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” — Edmund Burke

Debbie Leininger
State Director
CWA of Illinois
director@illinois.cwfa.org
il.cwfa.org
(815) 297-2918

Become a part of CWA of Illinois! Together we can make a difference in our communities, state and country. Contact me today!

Please give a generous gift to assist CWA of Illinois in defending the family in our great state.

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Hello fellow women of prayer! CWA of Hawaii aims to establish at least one CWA Prayer/Action Chapter on each island to meet on a monthly basis to address our seven core issues on the local, state, and national level.

Currently we have one chapter on the Big Island of Hawaii.  We meet the second Monday of every month.

Please consider starting a CWA chapter of your own. A chapter’s purpose is to educate, pray and take action. We provide everything you need.  Every chapter leader receives a manual, a monthly Prayer/Action Newsletter from the national office and regular communication from our state office. If you would like to educate and empower other women in your area or would like to attend the chapter listed above, please contact me.

Contact us today; we would love to get you plugged in!  You are needed!

Blessings,

Barbara J. Ferraro
State Director
CWA of Hawaii
director@hawaii.cwfa.org
hi.cwfa.org
808-965=9834

The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) has designated this Friday, April 27, as the Day of Silence – a day where public school students are encouraged to refuse to speak for an entire school day including during class. The event is to encourage sympathy and support of homosexual and transgender students whose behaviors have been silenced by those who disapprove of their lifestyle.

In opposition to the Day of Silence, CWA of Illinois is joining with pro-family organizations throughout the nation to endorse the Day of Silence WALKOUT.  Click here for more information.

Please forward this e-alert on to like-minded friends and family.  Especially those with school age children.

Pray! Educate! Act!

Sincerely,

Debbie Leininger
State Director
CWA of Illinois
director@illinois.cwfa.org
il.cwfa.org

At this month’s Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast in Freeport,  Sherrie Bicksler prayed for the sanctity of human life.  Sheri is the Executive Director of the Freeport Pregnancy Center and a member of the Freeport CWA Prayer/Action Chapter.

Please join me in praying this prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, Creator of all things, Giver of Life, Who was, Who is, and Who evermore shall be,

I stand before You today on behalf of believers everywhere–especially in America.  Father, we confess before You, we have failed!  Father, forgive us, as individuals and as a nation.  Our founding fathers had it right.  Their hearts were for ‘One Nation Under God’ with ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness’ and ‘Justice for all.’

America was founded for religious freedom.  We were created by You with freedom to choose to accept, love, and follow You or do it ‘my way’.

Forgive this nation Father — we have made bad choices and we have gotten it wrong.

WRONG:  just to name a few:

We got it wrong when we removed Bibles from classrooms/schools;
We got it wrong when in 1973 we legalized abortion;
We got it wrong when we legalized same sex marriage.

Your Word is very clear on these issues.

Our freedom to choose has placed leaders who have appointed Justices who have ‘gotten it wrong’.

Father, please forgive us.  Help us make right choices–ones that honor and obey You.

We pray for the nine SCOTUS Justices in all decisions, especially on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. The Freeport Pregnancy Center is one of 23 centers in Illinois and the Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRC) in California presenting Amicus Briefs before the Supreme Court to protect our (and your) rights to ‘Freedom of Speech.’  (AB 775 in California and SB1564 in Illinois mandate medical professionals and PRC workers to refer for abortions, with info on “where, who, and at tax payer expense, and give the benefits of abortion.)

In January 2017, this bill became law in Illinois.  Thank You, God, for protecting Illinois centers who refused to comply.  Thank you, God, that in July 2017, a federal judge granted an injunction calling SB1564 unconstitutional.  We are free, unless appealed and upheld by future actions.

Father, we now join California in taking our cases to SCOTUS via Alliance Defending Freedom and CEO Mike Farris.  We have been seeking You God, praying and trusting for Your Will.  We know Your Will for life.  We plead for Your Will for America, Americans, and our future.

May we stand strong on Your Promises. Our hope and trust are in You.

Thank You Precious Father, Creator of all Life, and God, please, bless America.  Amen.

Amen!

In Christ,

Debbie Leininger
State Director
CWA of Illinois
director@illinois.cwfa.org
il.cwfa.org

In a brazen attempt to indoctrinate public school age children K-12 to embrace the LGBTQ lifestyle, State Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and State Rep. Anna Moeller (D-Elgin) have sponsored SB 3249 and HB 5596 respectively.  These bills are considered companion bills and are presently in their respective committees and gaining co-sponsors. It is unclear how soon these bills will move and build momentum so please pray and act as soon as possible.

Known as the SCH CD-LGBT-UNIT OF INSTRCTION, both bills would mandate:

• K-12 public school classes include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the role and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of this country and this state.
• The regional superintendent of schools to monitor a school district’s compliance with the curriculum requirements.

When was the last time an individual/individuals where commended for something, because of their sexual preference?  This is not logical let alone it is an affront to our religious beliefs.

If passed this legislation would put schools in the position of proselytizing Illinois children.  Schools would be mandated to brain wash impressionable school-aged children into believing the LGBTQ is a healthy legitimate lifestyle.

The Bible calls us to be pro-active in protecting our children.

• Remember, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” – James 4:17
• Remember, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
• Remember, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!” – Matthew 18:5-7

Please pray and ask the Lord to:

• Forgive us individually and as the church for our complacency. May we strive to stand for righteousness and oppose evil laws attempting to rule our state.
• Raise up an army of Christians to champion the cause of Christ.
• Put a halt to the LGBTQ’s anti-Christ agenda in Illinois and America.
• Touch the heart of your specific legislators. May He draw them closer to Himself unto salvation if they do not yet know Him.

Take Action:

1. Call and/or email the members of the Senate Education Committee. Ask them to reject LGBTQ social engineering in public schools by voting NO on SB 3249.  Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Illinois.  Click here for their names and contact information.
2. Call and/or email the members of the House Rules Committee. Ask them to reject LGBTQ social engineering in public schools by voting NO on HB 5596.  Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Illinois.  Click here for their names and contact information.
3. Contact both your senator and representative. Ask them to reject LGBTQ social engineering in public schools by voting NO on SB 3249 (if you are addressing your senator) and HB 5596 (if you are addressing your representative). Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Illinois. Click here to find out who they are and how to contact them.
4. Forward this e-alert to like-minded friends and family. Encourage them to pray and take action.

These bills will transform the ideology of future generations.  Please diligently pray and take action.

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” – Edmund Burke

Debbie Leininger
State Director
CWA of Illinois
director@illinois.cwfa.org
il.cwfa.org
(815) 297-2918

Become a part of CWA of Illinois! Together we can make a difference in our communities, state and country. Contact me today!

WHEN is enough ENOUGH?

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) proponents, buoyed by pro-abortion, pro-LGBQT victories last session, are eager to pass ERA while Gov. Rauner is in office.  Rauner, who originally campaigned on the promise he would remain neutral on social issues, has a 100% record in signing horrific social issues bills into law – including tax-payer abortion and transgender birth certificate bills.

If passed, the ERA would:

• Add these words to the U.S. Constitution: “Equality of rights under law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.”
• Wipe out all ability to use any laws using gender as a defining characteristic therefore overturn workplace and family laws that protect women; privacy laws that define who may use gender oriented bathrooms and locker rooms; and religious freedom laws.
• Integrate same-sex and bi-sexual attraction into the U.S. Constitution.
• Be used to write abortion rights into our U.S. Constitution with the rationale that restricting access to abortion is a form of gender discrimination (since it singles women out for a physical aspect unique to them).
• Affect additional areas of life including social security, Medicare, health, insurance benefits, Medicare benefits, and more.

ERA History:

• In order to be added to the U.S. Constitution, the ERA needed approval by legislatures in three-fourths (38) of the 50 states by 1979.
• To date 36 states have ratified the ERA, one of which was after the 1979 deadline.
• If two more states ratify it, the U.S. Constitution can be amended if a suspension were given.
• From 1972 – 2017 the Illinois General Assembly has voted NO on ERA 13 times.

Click here to read it and track it through the Illinois legislature.

Pro-ERA proponents have never stopped working behind the scenes to ratify the ERA in states that have not yet ratified it such as Illinois, and this year is no different. Feminist Gloria Steinem wants to see the ratification of the ERA in her lifetime.

Thanks and Prayer:

• Thank the Lord for the many times He has held back the ERA in Illinois.
• Ask Him to intervene on our behalf once again.

Take Action:

• Contact your legislators. Tell them ERA is DEAD.  Keep it that way. Click here to find out who they are and how to contact them. Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Illinois.

CWA MEMBERS! The ERA is the issue that birthed CWA in 1978!  We stand strong and will not back down! Let’s stop the ERA once again!

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” – Edmund Burke

Debbie Leininger
State Director
CWA of Illinois
director@illinois.cwfa.org

il.cwfa.org
(815) 297-2918

Become a part of CWA of Illinois! Together we can make a difference in our communities, state and country. Contact me today to find out how!

On Tuesday, on behalf of 12 Illinois legislators, 10 citizen organizations, and a diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, the Thomas More Society, the pro-life, pro-family, pro-faith, non-profit legal group, filed an appeal that would halt the implementation of Illinois’ controversial H.B. 40 mandate. Click here to read the appeal.

This bill forces the economically distressed state’s taxpayers to fund tens of thousands of non-budgeted abortions in 2018 for women carrying Medicaid or state-employee health insurance coverage. This includes full-term abortions, even though scientific research has shown that the unborn child can feel pain and survive outside of its mother’s womb.

CWA of Illinois stands with the Thomas More Society and pro-life groups who are defending the lives of the unborn by standing against taxpayer-funded abortions. Please keep this matter in your prayers. May God’s will be done.

Thomas More Society attorneys, including Special Counsel Peter Breen (Rep. Peter Breen [R-District 48]), are sponsoring the lawsuit with Illinois legislators, who include:

• Mark Batinick (R-District 97)
• Jeanne Ives (R-District 42)
• Charlie Meier (R-District 108)
• Steve Reick (R-District 63)
• Barbara Wheeler (R-District 64)
• Keith Wheeler (R-District 50)
• Neil Anderson (R-District 36)
• Dale Fowler (R-District 59)
• Sam McCann (R-District 50)
• Kyle McCarter (R-District 54)
• Dan McConchie (R-District 26)
• Paul Schimpf (R-District 58)

PRAY:

• That this appeal is upheld, overturning H.B. 40 and preventing taxpayer-funded abortions in Illinois. That the Church stands publicly in defense of life.
• For pro-life individuals to be elected to the Illinois General Assembly as well as other positions of power.

 TAKE ACTION: Please contact your representative and/or senator if they are on the list above. Thank them for signing on to the appeal. Click here for your representative’s contact information, and click here for your senator’s.  Be sure to mention that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Illinois.

Debbie Leininger
State Director
CWA of Illinois
director@illinois.cwfa.org
il.cwfa.org
(815) 297-2918

Partner with CWA of Illinois through your financial support.

We are continually grateful for those who give to the work of CWA of Illinois. When you give to the state, all funds are used for state projects. To contribute your tax-deductible gift to CWA of Illinois, please send a check written out to “Concerned Women for America” with “CWA of IL” on the memo line, and send to CWA of Illinois, 1255 W. Empire Street, Freeport, IL 61032. Or, click here to contribute online.

Your involvement, financial gifts, and prayers could not be more appreciated.  Thank you!

Dear CWA of Illinois Friends,

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to you and yours! We have had such a rewarding year of working together to further the Biblical values we hold so dear. Please click here to read about all the Lord has done through the ministry of CWA of Illinois in 2017.

Debbie Leininger
State Director
CWA of Illinois
director@illinois.cwfa.org
il.cwfa.org