As members of the IRC, you can be an effective legislative advocate for literacy education.  The IRC Legislative Committee and the International Reading Association have developed useful tips and suggestions to make a difference.   

Be An Advocate For Literacy

The IRC Legislative Committee also wants to connect IRC members with their Illinois State Senators and Representative and U.S. Senators and Congressmen. This is the best way to have a say in the politics of reading. The Legislative Directory will help you find your legislator's contact information, including addresses, phone numbers, and even email addresses.

Reports and updates regarding important legislative issues are also provided below. These updates will provide you with information on what is happening and suggest that you take action. For more information, please contact the IRC Legislative Committee.

Committee: 

Mike Ellerman, Chair
Deborah Feddersen, Blackhawk
Helen Bryant, CARA
Andrea Stayton, Central Illinois
Pamela Godt, CIRP
Carrie Dale, East Central/EIU
Sunday Cummins, Fox Valley
Donna Soukup, ICARE
Mary K. Thompson, Illini
Linda Hootman, Illinois Valley
Gina Orazi, ILLC
Cara Schuster, ITA
Sharon Bukovitz, Lake Area
Margie Wright, Lewis & Clark
Ronda Brown, Macon County
Gail McDermott, MID-State
Kate Schumacher, Mississippi Valley
Mary Gardner, NIRC
Carrie Schneider, Northwestern
Heather Lopez, PARC
Rebecca Binks, SRL
Denise Wood, SERC
Dominique Morgan, South Suburban
Kathy Merz, SIRC
Laura Cuchra, Starved Rock
Laura Beltchenko, SCIRA
Joan Reed, Two Rivers
Leola Davis, Vermilion Valley
Marlene Panebianco, West Suburban
Alissa Tucker, WIRC
Donna Herman, Will County

Reports and Updates:

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on January 10, 2012

• Legislative Update From the IRC Legislative Commitee on November 14, 2011

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on October 22, 2011

• Update on Common Core Standards from IRA on October 3, 2011

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on May 18, 2011

• Legislative Update From the IRC Legislative Committee on April 26, 2011

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on April 25, 2011

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on April 9, 2011

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on March 5, 2011

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on February 16, 2011

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on February 14, 2011

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on January 31, 2011

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on January 19, 2011

• Legislative Webinar From the IRA Government Relations Division on November 4, 2010

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on October 28, 2010

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on June 28, 2010

• Legislative Update From the IRC Legislative Committee on June 2, 2010

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on May 14, 2010

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on April 14, 2010

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on April 1, 2010

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on March 12, 2010

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on February 26, 2010
  
  
• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on February 24, 2010
  
  
• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on February 2, 2010
  
  
• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on February 1, 2010
  
  
• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Divisione on January 27, 2010

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on January 8, 2010

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on December 19, 2009

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on December 18, 2009

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on December 16, 2009

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on December 15, 2009

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on December 8, 2009

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on November 19, 2009

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on November 10, 2009

• Legislative Updates From the IRA Government Relations Division from November 2-6, 2009

• National Academy of Education Releases White Paper on Teacher Quality on November 2, 2009

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on October 22, 2009

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on September 30, 2009

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on August 18, 2009

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on May 29, 2009

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on March 1, 2009
  
  
• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on January 19, 2009

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on January 12, 2009
  
  
• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on December 14, 2008

• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on November 7, 2008
  
  
• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on September 29, 2008
  
  
• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on August 11, 2008
  
  
• Legislative Update From the IRA Government Relations Division on April 11, 2008