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.
Typically you’ll have received an email advising (a) that a particular bill of importance is being heard in committee at a particular date and time, (b) requesting that submit a witness slip either as a proponent or opponent of the bill, and (c) with a link that takes you to the “Record of Committee Witness” page.
One way to do it:
Type in your information.
It will ask for your organization and title. You can put “none” or “n/a” in both these fields.
Click on your position: Proponent or Opponent
Click on Record of Appearance Only
Click Submit
But there’s a better way:
First, create your account at https://my.ilga.gov/ if you don’t already have one. Click Logon, then click Register Here. Once you register, you won’t have to fill in all your information every time. And let your browser save your user ID and password for you, so you can logon with one click.
Okay, now you’re ready. Click on the link in the email to go 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
You can also search directly for the bill and hearing in question: 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.