Provide Input on Illinois Legislation: Submit Witness Slips
The Illinois League of Women Voters often asks all members to take action supporting or opposing a bill being considered by the Illinois General Assembly. These actions often include submitting witness slips. What exactly is a witness slip, and what does it do?
What is a Witness Slip?
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Submitting a witness slip is a way for all those interested in a bill to take action and possibly help influence legislation. An Illinois witness slip is a simple online form that asks you to provide some information about yourself (e.g., name, address) and whether you support or oppose a piece of legislation. That’s it!
Using witness slips is a common practice for many state legislatures, including in Illinois. They’re used by individuals and organizations whenever bills are being discussed and possibly changed in a legislative committee before the bill comes up for a vote. The witness slip you submit helps provide public comment. We’re likely to be asked to submit witness slips during the Illinois General Assembly session from the middle of January through the end of May. The General Assembly may also meet for up to two weeks in the fall to consider bills the governor vetoed that year, if any. Emergency sessions are also called when needed. |
How Will I Know When to Submit a State League-Requested Witness Slip?
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The Illinois League’s Issue Specialists keep track of news and legislation in their issue areas. They pay particular attention to bills that align with the League’s identified priorities. The LWVIL will send us Action Alerts, often asking us to submit witness slips in support or opposition to a bill based on LWVIL positions. The request from the League will provide the correct link to use to submit the witness slip.
There is a window during which to submit witness slips for a committee’s discussion of a bill. If we’re asked to submit witness slips, we need to do so that day or within a day or two. Once the committee considering the bill has met, it’s too late. To complete a witness slip, you don’t have to be an expert on the piece of legislation or provide any comments. All you need to do is fill out a short form and indicate whether you support or oppose the bill. |
How Do I Fill Out a Witness Slip?
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To the right is a sample blank witness slip. Here are the directions for filling out each section:
Identification:
Enter your name and home address. In the Firm/Business or Agency and Title boxes, enter "Self.” If you prefer, you can enter “N/A” in the Title box. Enter your email if you want a reply that your witness slip has been submitted. Enter your phone number. Representation:
Enter "Self" in the box. Position:
Click on the position requested by the state League: support (Proponent) or oppose (Opponent). The subject matter field will indicate the title of the bill or its topic. Testimony:
Click on “Record of Appearance Only” and then click on “Create Slip.” If you do not have an account, you must fill out the required CAPTCHA, agree to the terms, and then click on “Create Slip.” If you’ve included your email, a reply email will then be sent to you letting you know your slip has been submitted. |
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Additional LWVIL Resources
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The LWVIL website includes the webpage Action Alerts. There you’ll find additional written directions for filling out a witness slip. You’ll also find a link to a 6-minute video that provides some context about where witness slips fit into the process of a bill becoming a law. The video includes directions for filling out a witness slip if you don’t have a direct link to the bill and committee hearing provided. This video is a few years old, but the steps for filling out a witness slip are still current.
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