Tips for Emailing Your Legislator

Be Personal - Legislators want to hear your story in your own words. During action alerts, Illinois Farm Bureau will often provide talking points on the Legislative Action Center. If you're too busy or uncomfortable writing, this form of email will work, BUT it is best of you can add a sentence or two about how the issue impacts you.

Include Your Name, Home Address & Email Address -Your legislator likes to know you are a constituent and usually wants to reply.

Focus on Just One Issue -Clearly identify the subject you're concerned about, not just House and Senate bill numbers. Remember, it is easy to get a bill number incorrect.

Be Brief -Your email should be brief, but provide the reasons why you are for or against the legislation. If you are in opposition, offer a positive alternative to the problem wherever possible.

Be Polite - Suggestions or recommendations, not demands, are preferred. A rude email neither makes friends nor influences the legislator.

Send Email When It Counts Most - An email sent too early is as ineffective as one sent too late; both lose impact. Join Illinois Farm Bureau's FB ACT and you'll receive action alerts, letting you know when and who to contact.

Email Only Once or Twice About an Issue - Don't annoy your legislator with numerous emails about a single topic. Instead, get others to add their voices. Ten emails from ten different people mean more than 20 emails from one person.

Send a Thank You - Thank your legislator for work well done, a good speech or favorable vote, fine leadership in committee or on the floor. Elected officials will appreciate it.

Let the Legislative Action Center Work for You -The Legislative Action Center at ilfb.org helps you not only find email addresses, but also lets you email all your legislators at once. Plus, if you click "Remember Me" on the form, it will automatically add your contact information to all future emails. It's so easy!