FB ACT Lays Groundwork for 2012 Legislative Sessions

Are you ready to get political? Advance preparation is key for Illinois Farm Bureau members who are part of FB ACT (Farm Bureau Agricultural Contact Team).

"With Congress and the General Assembly in session over the next several months, we need to be ready to respond quickly to be effective as an organization," said Liz Hobart, Illinois Farm Bureau associate director of national legislation and policy development.

Hobart encouraged IFB members to take steps now and be better prepared to respond to an action request on an important issue.

Topping her list is knowing which legislators represent you on the state and federal levels - and how to contact them. Hobart suggested that you program your legislators' telephone numbers or e-mail addresses into your cell phone.

"If it's April and you're in the field and get an action request, having the information readily available in your cell phone makes the contact very easy," Hobart said.

You can find your legislator's direct phone number by typing your zip code into IFB's Legislative Action Center. You can also may contact a switchboard and ask to be transferred to your lawmaker.

• Congressional switchboard: 202-224-3121
• General Assembly switchboard: 217-782- 2000

Don't like adding numbers to your phone? Ask a family member to do it for you. It makes for a great opportunity to share your commitment to farm advocacy with someone new.

If you are attending the Illinois Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference on February 29, you'll find a helper who will program it for you. Better yet, this conference offers you an opportunity to chat face to face with state lawmakers. FB ACT members may sign up to be notified about action requests via an automated phone call, e-mail, or text message.

You are also encouraged to let IFB know when you contact your legislator "so we can gauge where we are on the issues," Hobart said. To make it easier, add the FB ACT reporting number (800-879-1976) or e-mail (fbact@ilfb.org) into their cell phones too.

Not a member of FB ACT? Join the more than 1200 others across Illinois, who receive three or four request each year to contact elected officials. When we act as one, we have greater impact. Join FB ACT today!