Quick link: https://my.ilga.gov
When a bill is being considered in the Illinois legislature, “witness slips” are how people submit their views on the bill in question. When there’s a hearing on a bill, the number of witness slips submitted — pro or con — tell the legislators which way the wind is blowing.
So it’s very important that we concerned citizens submit witness slips. They matter. Here’s how to do it with a minimum of fuss and mouse clicks.
First, create your account at https://my.ilga.gov/ if you don’t already have one. Click Logon, then click Register Here. This is important, because you don’t want to have to fill in all your information every time. It wants you to key in something for your organization and title, I’ve put “none” for both. Also, let your browser save your user ID and password for you, so you can logon with one click.
Okay, now you’re ready. Typically you’ll have received a link to the bill in question in an email. Click on the link, and it will take you to the “Record of Committee Witness” page.
Now click on Logon in the upper right-hand corner, to logon with your email and password. Unfortunately this takes you away from your original page.
Then go back to the email, click on the link again, and it opens back at the original witness slip page but with your info already filled in.
Click on your position: Proponent or opponent
Click on Record of Appearance only
Click Submit
Alternate Plan:
Go to my.ilga.gov and logon, then click Home. Choose your hearing, and then from the Hearing page, choose the bill and click ‘Create Witness Slip.’
Simple as that. For more info, see the Witness Slip page at the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois.