Dear IAPO,
The Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Act, a bill that aims to fight the Illinois obesity epidemic and invest in our residents' health through a penny-per ounce excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, will likely be heard in the Senate Public Health Committee next Wednesday (
SB 3524). If you live in a Public Health Committee Member's district, we need your immediate action. They need to hear from you!
Take Action in 2 Easy Ways:1.
Call your Senator and urge their support for this bill when it is heard in committee on March 19. Contact information for committee members can be found
here. Below is a sample message to leave with your Senator's office. Make sure you let them know you are a constituent.
2.
Email your Senator and urge your support for the bill by clicking on
this link to our online action alert. Feel free to personalize the letter, letting your Senator know why you support the HEAL Act.
Then consider joining us in Springfield on March 19 to show your support in person for the committee hearing. If you are interested in attending the hearing, please contact Janna at
[email protected] or 312-850-4744.
More information about the HEAL Act is available via
factsheets on the Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity's
website. More information about the health impact of sugary beverages can be found
here.
Thank you for your action and support to combat obesity in Illinois through this very important legislation.
Message for your Senator:"Hello, my name is ______ and I'm calling to ask for your support of the HEAL Act (SB 3524). As a constituent, I support this bill because it will help fight the obesity epidemic and I urge you to vote yes for the bill when it comes up in committee on March 19th. [insert any personal story or reasons for your support]. Thanks." 