Can I Get a Witness (Slip)!?
While the legislative process might possess a weaker sexiness quotient than the lusty ballads of Marvin Gaye, we at State Matters still think it’s important. Read our handy guide (or watch our handy video) and you might too.
What is a Witness Slip?
Witness slips allow any Illinoisan to voice their opinion about a particular bill moving through Springfield with just a few keystrokes. Passionate people can even deliver their opinions in person before lawmakers, but this is not required. While witness slips don’t directly impact the legislative process, they can effectively sway politicians’s minds.
When are Witness Slips Used?
Once a new bill has been sponsored and introduced, it moves to a Senate or House committee or subcommittee devoted to the bill’s specific policy area such as healthcare or energy regulation. Lawmakers then hold hearings to solicit testimony from people in support of, or in opposition to the new legislation.
Why Are Witness Slips Used?
While most lawmakers believe that they are acting in the people’s best interest, they often struggle to adequately gauge public opinion. That is where witness slips come in. By gathering the reactions of individuals, institutions, lobbying groups, community organizations, and corporations, lawmakers can make more informed decisions.
Where Can I Find Legislation that I Care About?
You’re already in the best place! State Matters features important legislation all the dadgum time. But there are dozens of other bills we often cannot get to. Here are our recommendations:
- State Matters! Subscribe to our newsletter, like us on social, check at our website, stalk our policy experts, leave bundles of burnt frankincense at our door.
- Legislated.org: They keep a weekly guide on all bills currently scheduled for hearings.
- Advocacy organizations: Often policy or advocacy organizations (like the ACLU, Sierra Club, NRA etc.) will broadcast information about bills in their policy fields. Follow their newsletters, blogs, and social media to stay up to date.
- My.ilga.gov: This is the mountain source. Create a profile, log in, and browse through scheduled committees. This process is not the most user friendly. You can only see bills for scheduled committees that week. You have to browse through the scheduled hearings.
How Do I Fill Out a Witness Slip?
Step 1: Go to my.ilga.gov and create an account (they’ll remember your personal information which will make filling out slips a breeze).
Once you’ve found the witness slip you want…
Step 2: Fill out the identification section with your information. Write “self” under “Form/Business/Agency” unless you’ve been authorized by a group or organization to speak as their representative. Do the same for the Representation section.
Step 3: Select your position on the bill:
Step 4: Select how you’d like to deliver your testimony. If you don’t plan on traveling to Springfield, select “Record of Appearance Only.” If you do plan on showing up at the hearing to speak, select “oral.’
Step 5: Agree to terms, fill out the catpcha, and click “create (slip).” You did it!
What I Else am I Missing?
Witness slips do not carry over when a committee hearing has been rescheduled (which happens often). If the committee has been rescheduled you will have to fill out your witness slip again. Finally, while witness slips are an important part to an overall advocacy strategy, they generally don’t compare to the power of a thoughtfully handwritten letter to your legislator, or, more importantly, seeing your legislator in person.
