Greater Chicago Chapter
Grassroots
Arthritis Foundation Holds Congressional Briefing
The Arthritis Foundation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new CDC data linking arthritis and diabetes and the important role of physical activity in the management of both diseases during a Congressional Briefing on May 8. The event was a huge success raising awareness about the prevalence of arthritis, the impact of the disease, the need for more evidence-based programs in more communities across America, the importance of the CDC arthritis program/funding, and the urgency to pass the Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act.
Cindy Copenhaver, South Holland, Illinois, an Arthritis Foundation trainer in the Greater Chicago Chapter spoke at the briefing about teaching thousands of people, many of them seniors with arthritis and other chronic diseases, about how to take control of their arthritis through physical activity. Now a master trainer, she trains others in her community how to encourage people with chronic diseases, such as arthritis, better manage their disease through exercise.
Attention Illinois Advocates! Information on HB 5215
(Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act at the state level)
HB 5215 (which would appropriate $350,000 to the Department of Public Health, Arthritis Program) has passed out of the Illinois House of Representatives. Currently, it is in the Senate. Your help is needed – please contact your state senator to become a cosponsor for this bill.
To find contact information for your state senator, please go to: www.arthritis.org/advocacy and click on “Arthritis Action Center.”
Synopsis of the State Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act:
The appropriations bill will allow for conducting a needs assessment pertaining to arthritis prevention and clinical services, creating a statewide Advisory Council on Arthritis, implementing a Communication Campaign and providing for the expansion of the evidence-base of arthritis public health interventions for persons with arthritis in Illinois. It builds upon the Illinois Arthritis Partnership infrastructure that has been created by IDPH via a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that will be expiring this Fiscal Year. To date, no state funds have been appropriated for arthritis programming.
46 million reasons to advocate in Washington, DC.
Advocacy Summit 2008
Over 300 advocates rallied in Washington December February 25-27, 2008 including a strong delegation from Illinois. Advocates met personally with Members of Congress and their staff to share personal stories to help them understand how arthritis affects your every day life and the importance of passing the Arthritis Prevention, Control & Cure Act.
Your help is needed! If you do not see your elected official listed as a cosponsor below, please urge them to become one. Go to www.arthritis/advocacy.
Currently, cosponsors from Illinois include: Senator Dick Durbin, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and Congressmen Bobby Rush, Jesse Jackson, Rahm Emanuel, Danny Davis and Phil Hare.
Arthritis Foundation staff and board members |
Advocates with US Congressman Danny Davis |
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See an event photo slide show.
ARTHRITIS ACTION DAY 2008 IN SPRINGFIELD, IL
March 5, 2008
Arthritis Action Day 2008 was a great success with over 30 advocates traveling to Springfield. Eight legislators attended the breakfast, which was held on Wednesday, March 5. House sponsor Carolyn Krause provided a legislative update to the group, with several other representatives providing updates as well. Advocates also had a chance to meet with their state representative and state senator to tell their personal story and discuss the need for state arthritis funding.
Spring Advocacy 2008
State Representative Carolyn Krause Advocates (Mayra Chacon and Patricia Canessa) with State Representative Linda Chapa LaVia (she is center) State Representative Kathy Ryg with board chair Dr. Eric Gall State Representative Will Davis with chapter president Tom Fite State Representative Karen May with board member David Porter and board chair Dr. Gall State Representative Toni Berrios with Associate Board member Susan Jacobs .jpg)
Join Us for An Upcoming Arthritis and Exercise Public Forum!
Learn more about managing your arthritis pain at this informational program. Hear from a rheumatologist, physical therapist and exercise instructor on topics such as physical activity, joint protection and proper footwear. An introduction by the local legislator and an exercise demonstration are also part of the program. Registration is not required for this free program. For more information, please call
Upcoming Forums:
Chicago, IL 60660
Glendale Heights, IL 60139
Aurora, IL 60506
Hanover Park, IL 60133
Representative Mike McAuliffe with Dr. Sergey Furmanov
(Left: Dr Furmanov; Right: McAuliffe)
Left to Right
Brendan Cullen (Physical Therapist), Dr. Jeanine Connolly, Ellen Friedl (Exercise Leader) and State Representative Renee Kosel
Advocacy News
Representative Elizabeth Coulson (R 17th District) introduced a resolution to the Illinois House of Representatives to proclaim the month of May as Arthritis Awareness Month. Read the House Resolution in full.
How You Can Help
The Arthritis Foundation promotes government and private sector action to improve the lives of the 46 million Americans living with arthritis and chronic joint symptoms. We need your help, however, to get more government funding for arthritis research, to encourage early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment, and to improve access to quality health care for everyone with arthritis.
Visit our Advocacy Section for tools you need to become informed about the issues and to make your voice heard. You will find issue "backgrounders," Arthritis Foundation position statements, as well as links to other Web sites that may be helpful.
Become An Advocate -- Join the Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Network
Arthritis Advocacy Priorities -- Read about the issues
Contact Congress -- Quickly locate your legislators and send a message
What Can I Do? Get Congress to Support the Arthritis Bill.
As a constituent, whose opinion matters, now is a great time to meet with your elected officials. Contact your Senators or Representative at town hall meetings and events or schedule an appointment with them in their local office to discuss the importance of the Arthritis Prevention, Control & Cure Act of 2005 and encourage them to cosponsor this historic legislation. Also, the chapters are meeting with State Senators and Representatives regarding Illinois arthritis legislation. State senators and representatives share their time in Springfield and in their district offices. Many are able to meet with you at their district offices to discuss arthritis issues.
Setting Up a Meeting
1. First, contact your local Arthritis Foundation Chapter and ask for the Chapter Advocacy Contact to inquire if the Chapter is coordinating a group of advocates for a visit. If not, the Chapter will have the necessary materials detailing arthritis legislation to give to the legislator or their local staff.
2. If you are not sure who your elected officials are, click on the "Contact Congress" link above.
3. Select each picture of your elected official and information about their district offices will appear at the top of the page.
4. To formally request a meeting with the legislator, write a letter - with your mailing address placed at the top - indicating why you would like to meet and mail or fax it directly to the main district office.
5. Remember to follow-up with a phone call to the office to confirm receipt and schedule the meeting. If the staff is unable to schedule a one-on-one meeting with the Member, the office may provide you with a time and place of a public event that the Member is hosting.
Meeting With Your Legislator
1. When making the appointment, you may end up meeting with a staff member. Don't be disappointed, the staff are very knowledgeable and support your Senators or Representative on various issues.
2. During the meeting, focus on your personal story with arthritis, and why it is important to prevent, control, and cure arthritis for yourself, family members or friends. Ask the legislator to cosponsor the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act of 2005. If you are meeting with your state senator or representative, ask him or her to support Illinois arthritis legislation.
3. If you are not sure how to answer a question, don't be embarrassed. Offer to find out the answer and contact the office again.4. Don't forget to bring the chapter packet with the Arthritis Act information included to leave with the office.
Follow-Up Tips
1. Send a thank you note to your legislator and restate your request to have them cosponsor the arthritis legislation.
2. Provide feedback of the visit to the Office of Public Policy & Advocacy and your Chapter.
Looking For More Information?
You can find information on arthritis prevalence in Illinois, information on Illinois' United States Senators and Representatives, and information on issues and legislation at the Illinois Directory and Legislative Action Center.
For more information on how to become involved, please contact Michele Pfeilschifter at mpfeilschifter@arthritis.org or
