Please call Governor Blagojevich today and urge him to sign House Bill 5300 - a measure to insure appropriate care and adequate services for survivors of sexual assault. You can phone the Governor's office in Springfield (217/782-0244) or Chicago (312/814-2121) and urge Governor Blagojevich to act quickly to enact this critical legislation.

Simply call the Governor's office at either number listed above and say that you are calling "to urge the Governor to help survivors of sexual assault by signing House Bill 5300."

House Bill 5300 - adopted this legislative session by the Illinois General Assembly - strengthens the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act (SASETA). If Governor Blagojevich signs the legislation into law, hospitals that do not comply with SASETA - including the mandatory provision of emergency contraception - will face increased fines from the Illinois Department of Public Health (DPH). Moreover, House Bill 5300 creates a system so that individuals can report violations of SASETA to the DPH. The agency will post complaints on their public web site, meaning that women and policy makers across Illinois will be able to determine if a hospital is in compliance.

The harm suffered by a victim of sexual assault is real and should NOT be compounded by inadequate medical care. House Bill 5300 offers the tools so that citizens, the DPH and legislators can insure that hospitals are in compliance with SASETA.