Illinois Healthy Workplace Advocates

Photos include Rep Connie Howard, our sponsor for the 2011 "Abusive Work Environments" Bill. Other members in the photos include Citizen lobbyists Carrie Clark and Jonathan Lackland, movers and shakers who helped advance the mission to pass the legislation into law.

Update March 25, 2010

The Illinois anti-bullying HEALTHY WORKPLACE BILL, aka "Abusive Work Environment" legislation

The 15th state to introduce anti-bullying legislation in the U.S. since 2003

Jonathan Lackland, Executive Director of the Illinois Association of Minorities in Government, and Carrie Clark, founder of IllinoisHWA, have been lobbying Senators in Springfield for weeks to pass Senate Bill #3566.

It passed!!! (37-Yea; 15 Nay; 17 No vote)

Senator Delgado has explained that ‘no votes’ are due to what is to happen next. This bill now goes to the House for amendments they may want to add, or former amendments the House may want to change. The House will then vote. The discussion may be heated; this bill is contentious; the House is inclined toward loud screaming voices.

Representative Art Turner is passing his chief sponsorship to Representative Eddie Washington. Both have a heart for this bill, but Rep. Washington has more time at present to work on it. Rep. Turner will stay on as a co-sponsor.

What YOU can do NOW to help this important, humane legislation:

To find your legislators in both houses: http://www.elections.illinois.gov/DistrictLocator/SelectSearchType.aspx?NavLink=1

To contact your senator:

http://www.ilga.gov/senate/default.asp

To contact your representative:

http://www.ilga.gov/house/

The Workplace Bullying Institute Mission is to...To raise awareness of, and create a public dialogue about Workplace Bullying. To apply research, empirical and anecdotal, to solutions for individuals, unions, employers and public policy makers.