Public Policy efforts to improve child care and early education wouldn't be possible without you, our advocates. We count on people throughout the state to help us convince legislators and state agencies of the importance of improved child care policies.

How To Write Legislators

General Guidelines

• Personal letters are more effective than form letters, post cards or petitions.
• Address only one topic per letter. Be brief, pertinent and concise.
• Your letter will be more effective if you have specialized knowledge on the issue. Be thoughtful and informed - do your homework - evaluate and weigh the issues.
• Be calm, courteous and reasonable. Offer constructive suggestions. State what you think needs to be done.
• Express appreciation for work already done -- or write a thank you letter when you approve of action taken.

Addressing Your Letter

• Do address your letter correctly and if handwritten, write legibly.

State Senator

Hon. John Doe  State Senate  State House  Springfield, IL 62706

Dear Senator Doe

State Representative

Hon. John Doe  State Senate  House of Representatives  State House  Springfield, IL 62706

Dear Mr. Doe

Governor

The Hon. John Doe  State House  Springfield, IL 62706

Dear Governor Doe

U.S. Senator

Office of Senator John Doe  United States Senate  Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Doe

U.S. Representative

Honorable John Doe  (Addresses are listed in this directory )  Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Mr. Doe  or  Dear Representative Doe

President

President John Doe  The White House  1600 Pennsylvania Ave.  Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Doe

The Body of the Letter

• Your letter should consist of three substantive paragraphs:
• The first paragraph should state the reason for writing. Whenever possible, identify a bill by number and title. Or, use some descriptive sentence (e.g. "child care standards") in your letter.
• In the second paragraph explain why you are writing - your family, business, or political connection to the issue. Then state your view and your reason for it.
• In the third paragraph, state what you think needs to be done such as vote for or against a bill or introduce new legislation.

Sample Letter To Legislator

Your Address  Date  The Hon. John Doe  State Senate  State House  Springfield, IL 62706  Dear Senator Doe,  I am writing to express my support for (or opposition to) [ bill number ], the [ title of bill ] Law.  As an employed mother of two pre-school children, [ state your interest in or expertise about this issue ]. This legislation would [ state why you think this legislation is important or problematic ].  I urge you to vote in favor of (or against) [ bill number ] so that [ brief summary of why you are for or against the bill ].  Very truly yours,  XXXXXXXX

Prepared by:

Ann Ashton, B.S.  Department of Human and Comunity Development  University of Illinois  July, 1996

References

League of Women Voters of Illinois. (1985). Legislative Directory of the 89th General Assembly of Illinois . [Brochure]. Chicago, IL

Ranck, E.R., (1995, February). The power of the word: The art of letterwriting. Paper presented at the meeting of the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies.

Public Policy

The National Assocation of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) maintains current information on public policy.

• NACCRRA Action and Information Center on Child Care Public Policy

Contacting Legislators

• How to Contact Public Officials:
• Contact your State of Illinois Officials
• Contact your United States Senate
• Contact your United States House of Representatives
• Contact the White House
• League of Women Voters in Illinois
• Library of Congress (Text of Federal Legislation)