Support HB1826; protect Illinois seniors' pensions and legal rights

Illinois seniors will benefit immensely when House Bill 1826 is signed into law and civil unions are established in Illinois.

Many widows and widowers lose their pensions or see cuts in their Social Security – which they need to maintain decent lives - if they remarry. House Bill 1826 would give committed senior couples the legal recognition and benefits they need and deserve – like the right to visit a loved one in the hospital - without forcing anyone to lose benefits.

Click here to learn how seniors will benefit from House Bill 1826 and read the true stories of Illinois seniors who need civil unions.

Download the petition on the benefit of House Bill 1826 to seniors here.

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

As your constituent, I urge you to protect Illinois seniors pensions and legal rights by supporting HB1826.

Many widows and widowers lose their pensions or see cuts in their Social Security - which they need to maintain decent lives - if they remarry.  House Bill 1826 would give committed senior couples the benefits and legal recognition they need and deserve without forcing anyone to lose benefits.

House Bill 1826 would give committed senior couples the right to emergency medical decision making, the right to share a nursing home or hospital room, the right to visit a loved one in the hospital, the right to make funeral arrangements and the right to control disposition of remains. House Bill 1826 would also offer them domestic violence protections.

It is unfair that unmarried senior couples in Illinois have to choose between financial security or the basic rights to make emergency health care decisions for loved ones, visit them in hospitals,  share a nursing home room, or even to make funeral arrangements after a loved one passes away.

House Bill 1826 will help seniors in emergencies by extending state-level legal protections and responsibilities to committed unmarried couples.

There are too many seniors in Illinois who cannot remarry without losing the benefits they need to support themselves. Please pass House Bill 1826 so they and their loved ones have basic legal protections. I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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