Attention illinois casaa members & vapers-emergency!!!

[JohnnyVapor]

I just wish this announcement wasn't so sudden. I'm tied up at work this week, and there's a snowball's chance that I'd be able to make it. Let me know if there's another way I can contribute apart from the phone calls and letters.

 

[JustJulie]

It's a go!

I just got off the phone with Rep. Colvin's office, and he DOES intend to call it for hearing.

Meet outside the Stratton Building in Springfield at 8:30 a.m. If you don't already have my cell phone number and email, PM me for it. I have texting and email access on my phone.

Treece and I will drive up to Springfield tonight and be out in front of the building at 8:30 a.m. sharp Wednesday.

 

[Joejokin]

I live in Joliet and will be heading out to Springfield around 5am. Anyone wanting to car-pool please pm me.

 

[JustJulie]

By the way, the street address for the Stratton Building is 401 S. Spring, Springfield, IL 62706. I just realized that there appear to be a few different Stratton Buildings . . . this is the address provided by Rep. Jakobsson's office.

 

[nick78]

i will be there for sure. We need to do everything we can to stop this injustice.

 

[laborer75]

Of course your going!!! You gotta buy breakfast.

 

[thelook]

Good luck, post an update when you can!

 

[kristin]

FYI I did leave messages for you Kristin, and I appreciate your desires. I have been working to get to the proper person, cause only 1 man can sign this bill, and make it official.

I am working on it. OTOH, as the bill is written, it really does NOT stop my company from doing business, as usual, nor supplying our customers.

I am more than happy to support you, and help.

Regards

Steve

Hi Steve,

I know you left the one message on my voicemail - sorry if I somehow missed other messages - but Spikey, Julie and I have been trying to reach you since then - just to coordinate efforts and find out if we can help. We know you're a busy guy. Will you be at the meeting tomorrow?

Good luck you guys!!! (Someone sneak some video of the meeting!)

 

[kristin]

To Illinois residents needing a ride: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ield-tomorrow-we-can-peovide-bus-service.html

Also - to those who ARE going. You may or may not not get a chance to speak so PLEASE write out a letter of what you'd like to say. For all of those who don't get a chance to speak, we can hand the committee your letters right there and then! It would be a powerful message for them to read all of those testimonials!!

 

[laborer75]

Local Radio Stations in Springfield, IL contact info:

WQNA 88.3 The Edge
info@wqna.org
217-529-5431

91.9FM - University of Illinois
wuis@wuis.org
217-206-6516

Lite Rock 99 WNNS - Central IL At Work Station (98.7)
kevank@wnns.com
Studio Line: 217.629.LITE
Business: 217.629.7077
Fax: 217.629.7952

Cool 101.9 - Good Time Oldies!
ddaniels@capitolradiogroup.com
Phone: 217-753-5400
Fax: 217-753-7902

WDBR 103.7 FM - Springfield's #1 Hit Music Station
Phone: 217-753-5400
Dial Position: 103.7
Fax: 217-753-7902

104.5 WFMB - Your New Country Favorite
John & Michele: jmmornings@gmail.com
Adam "Hawk" Hawkins: hawk@wfmb.com
Dave Marsh: davemarsh@wfmb.com
Tony Boston: tony@wfmb.com
Rebecah: rebecah@wfmb.com
WFMB General Email Box: wfmb@wfmb.com
Main Office Phone: (217) 528-3033
Fax: (217) 528-5348

Hot Talk 970 WMAY
kevank@wmay.com
WMAY studio (217)629-7970
Business office (217)629-7077
Fax (217)629-7952

1240 WTAX
meccles@wtax.com
Main Office Phone: 217-753-5400
Office Fax: 217-753-7902
WTAX News Center Phone: 217-753-2020
WTAX News Center Fax: 217-241-3661
WTAX Studio Phone: 217-753-1240

WFMB 1450
AM Springfield: jeffhofmann@neuhoffmedia.com
Sam Madonia: sammadonia@neuhoffmedia.com
Paul Pachlhoffer: paulpachlhofer@neuhoffmedia.com
Steve Bridge: stevebridge@neuhoffmedia.com
John Levin: johnlevin@neuhoffmedia.com
General: sportsradio1450@sportsradio1450.com
Main Office Phone: (217) 528-3033
Fax: (217) 528-5348

Blow them up and maybe they show up!!!

 

[laborer75]

Just a bump to all who missed it. If you can make it, please try. If not, then blow up your local congressmans phone and let them know we are against this bill.

 

[kristin]

The Illinois vapers contingent did an awesome job! The committee refused to vote on the bill until they get more information. And they made the news! Vote on electronic cigarettes ban postponed in Ill. House committee | Political Fix | STLtoday

Hopefuly, JustJulie will come by and fill us in on some of the details - they have some great stories! They called me after the meeting and sounded pumped, excited and hopeful!

The job is not done yet - there is another meeting next week. And then we have to take our fight to New York!!

 

[JustJulie]

Illinois vapers totally rock.

On incredibly short notice, they turned out in force. Frankly, I would have been thrilled to see 5 Illinois vapers . . . I think we had to have at least 20 warm bodies there. Amazing. We even had our beloved Vicks travel all the way from behind the Cheddar Curtain to support her fellow midwestern vapers.

I'm too tired to give the Illinois folks the eloquent tribute they so richly deserve, and I hope y'all will forgive me for this post being far, far too short.

The vapers were respectful, focused, and passionate. I can't even begin to tell you how proud I was to be a part of that group. When the head of the Committee read the names of the witnesses into the record, it was so powerful to hear name, after name, after name, after name listed as an opponent to the bill. I honestly don't think any state has managed to have so many of its vapers turn out to stand up and be counted.

The testimony given raised enough doubt in the minds of Committee members that serious, probing questions were raised, questions that they quite correctly wanted answered before proceeding with the bill. The Committee members kept an open mind and obviously listened to the testimony . . . and refused to rubber stamp the bill.

What made this all the more inspiring is that the Committee's refusal to rubber stamp came in spite of the fact that Kathy Drea (the paid lobbyist of the American Lung Association, and apparently also the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society since she dropped their names as well) was present and spoke on why adults in Illinois should be denied the right to purchase e-cigarettes. I'm not going to comment too much on her testimony right now because frankly I'm too tired to even pretend to try to understand why charities who are ostensibly organized to protect and promote the public health could manage to argue with a straight face that e-cigarettes should be banned while tobacco cigarettes--the kind we KNOW are DEADLY--remain on the market.

And it wasn't just the folks in the room who were instrumental in this effort . . . all the letters, faxes, and phone calls of vapers who made their views known made a huge difference. All together, it was a perfect storm of passionate advocacy, and the Committee listened.

This is far from over. We hope that the end result will that this ill-conceived and unconscionable bill will either die in committee or be amended to prohibit sales to minors but not adults. We'll let folks know as more information becomes available and we'll continue to share information on how people can be involved and make a difference.

A HUGE thank you to the various advocacy groups and forums that pulled together to help inform, organize and empower Illinois vapers.

 

[Mister]

Thanks for the update JustJulie, and huge props to everyone who attended and accomplished this impressive turnout and result!

 

[MsSki]

Bumping up for all to see
Tara

 

[CES]

Illinois vapers totally rock.

ABSOLUTELY!!!

What made this all the more inspiring is that the Committee's refusal to rubber stamp came in spite of the fact that Kathy Drea (the paid lobbyist of the American Lung Association, and apparently also the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society since she dropped their names as well) was present and spoke on why adults in Illinois should be denied the right to purchase e-cigarettes .

Interesting that ACS name dropping. The second response I received in an email exchange with the ACS included this statement "According to our National Home Office in Atlanta, Georgia, the American Cancer Society has not taken a position on whether electronic cigarettes should be banned from the U.S. market. " I've emailed the ACS to ask, and included that discrepancy in the email I sent to the Illinois committee members as a follow up to all your great work yesterday. Wonder if it's the lobbyist who was misinformed and misrepresenting, or the ACS rep.

 

[JustJulie]

Interesting that ACS name dropping. The second response I received in an email exchange with the ACS included this statement "According to our National Home Office in Atlanta, Georgia, the American Cancer Society has not taken a position on whether electronic cigarettes should be banned from the U.S. market. " I've emailed the ACS to ask, and included that discrepancy in the email I sent to the Illinois committee members as a follow up to all your great work yesterday. Wonder if it's the lobbyist who was misinformed and misrepresenting, or the ACS rep.

My personal opinion (and it's just that) is that Kathy Drea is not misinformed about who she's representing and who is trying to call the shots on these state bans. And again--just my personal opinion--but I think there are several "charities," including Tobacco-Free Kids, that are collectively funding and supporting these lobbying efforts, but they're putting the American Lung Association out there as the front man.

 

[Joejokin]

I had a great time yesterday! and I think it went well. I will be going next week as well just to keep our faces fresh. I'm proud to have been a part of it. Thank you Justjulie and Treece for all your hard work and dedication to this. You represented us very well and were just plain Awesomeness!!! It was a pleasure to meet you.

 

[JustJulie]

The second response I received in an email exchange with the ACS included this statement "According to our National Home Office in Atlanta, Georgia, the American Cancer Society has not taken a position on whether electronic cigarettes should be banned from the U.S. market. " I've emailed the ACS to ask, and included that discrepancy in the email I sent to the Illinois committee members as a follow up to all your great work yesterday. Wonder if it's the lobbyist who was misinformed and misrepresenting, or the ACS rep.

This was found by Boogie:

http://www.iafp.com/legislative/SB3174e-cigarettes.pdf

Notice the letterhead showing the organizations that support the Illinois ban. Yup. ACS is featured prominently.

 

[CES]

Thanks Julie, for the link and all of your hard work. I was really hoping the lobbyist was misrepresenting things. Really NOT thrilled that the ACS either mis-communicated with me or their staff, or decided to support something about which they have no policy.