The Archives (Dr. Daly - personally gave us this information on Friday, Feb. 14, 2003) is working to change the wording in the bill so that the charge for research and obtaining death certificates would ONLY apply to out of state requests. In addition, they are working to have wording added to the bill which would state that there would be NO charge for researchers visiting the Archives in person to obtain certificates and that there would be no charge for Illinois residents. ----- Original Message ----- From: Tony & Linda Kmiecik To: Willard Jackson ; Ollie Schwallenstecker ; Lil Ashley ; Kathy Cherry Hopkins ; Kathleen Mirabella ; Joy Goodwin ; Joan Darr ; Jill Secoy ; Don Nevins ; Dan Dixon ; Cindy Leonard ; Carolyn Norris ; Gloria Frazier ; Georgia Ferry ; Mary McKenzie ; Phyllis Pitchford ; Carolynn & Frank Bettis ; Marilyn Galvan ; Ann & Ron Hoffstetter ; Ray Luken Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 1:39 PM Subject: Thursday 2/20 Bill 498 Hearing I propose that some of us attend the hearing of Bill 498 (see text below) on Thursday, 2/20 at the Capitol. It is scheduled to be heard at 2:00 PM in Room 122B on the west side of the Capitol. They do have a sign-in procedure for anyone wishing to be heard for or against a bill. Perhaps we could meet on the Virden Square at noon, and park extra cars on the south side of the square where normally few cars park. This will give us adequate time to get to Springfield, park, and get into the Capitol by 1:00 PM or so. Please email or call me (217-627-3826) if you plan to attend. I plan to check with Hannig's office that morning to be sure the bill is still scheduled for a 2:00 PM hearing. For those who cannot attend, please call Gary Hannig's Springfield office to register your opinion on the bill. The phone number is 217-782-8071, and the contact at the office is Carol Sheehorn (spelling unknown). At the very least, we feel $7 is far too much money, and might feel more kindly toward the Bill if the charge were only $2 or $3. At $7 per item, it wouldn't take long to rack up a $30 or more bill. We realize in this tight economy, with the State having a huge budget deficit, they are trying to find income wherever possible, but it shouldn't be out of the pockets of family historians. "SYNOPSIS OF HOUSE BILL 0498 Amends the Secretary of State Act. Provides that a fee of $7 per research request for copies of non-certified death certificates, civil war muster records, and census records shall be paid to the Secretary of State and deposited into the Archives Research Fund. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Archives Research Fund and provides that moneys deposited into the fund may, subject to appropriation, be used by the Secretary of State for expenses of conducting archival research of Archive records. Effective July 1, 2003." Please spread the word to any and all Illinois societies and researchers. Linda Kmiecik