Dear Governor Quinn,
We legally purchased 436 skylantern. We acquired event insurance, 3 weeks ago. We signed a contract with the school district for use of their football field, 6 weeks ago.
We've marketed for 6 months. We've already hosted a successful, safe, skylantern event (October 6, 2012) in which we raised $4200 for Suicide Prevention Services- a local non-profit.
We learned of 4 days before our festival that Illinois banned skylanterns.
We're denied the privilege of being grandfathered in. We're denied the opportunity to get a permit for the event and hire a pyrotechnician.
It was suggested that others would want permission, too. Others that have already legally purchased lanterns, have already had a successful launching festival, and others that are launching for a local non- profit? No. Our case is unique.
An opportunity of light and joy was taken away from a group who needs it the most. Suicide Prevention Services.www.spsamerica.org. In the history of Kendall County, how many skylanterns have caused fires? No one has replied to me.
As a safety precaution and to be a good neighbor, we have "skylantern chasers" follow the lanterns in the sky to discover where they land so we can tidy up any debris. We go the extra mile. To be safe. To be responsible.
We kindly ask to complete our final skylantern festival with skylanterns. June 1st.
Our city has embraced this festival with support. We've been affected by suicide. I walked with our Coroner, Ken Toftoy last September in a suicide awareness walk. I learned that at that time, we had one suicide a week in Kendall County.
We need this event to remain as it was arranged to be. A celebration of light and release.
Please grant us approval. Show us that miracles happen, and that politicians listen.
____________________________________________________
As of this morning, We've contacted: Randy Hultgren, Bill Foster, Jim Oberweis, Tom Cross, Kay Hatcher, and Governor Quinn. The Illinois fire Marshal has yet to budge.
We have full support of our Mayor- Gary Golinski and the City of Yorkville. Channel 2, 5 and 7 news called me today. WSPY called 3 times. I have emailed every media source I can. Jon Yates at Tribune. Steve Lord called from Beacon News.
Our friends and supporters have been overwhelmingly supportive. DON'T STOP. We are being heard. We were on the Channel 2, 5, and 7 news last night. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5KMvE48Xhk
Barb Nadeau said it best on the WSPY radio this morning: "SPS has to lead by example." I interpret that as fighting for what you believe to be right, and secondly- never ever giving up. Ever.
Take Action:
Send to Governor Quinn's Facebook messages:
https://www.facebook.com/GovernorQuinn?fref=ts
(Feel free to add why personally this is important to you. Copy and paste below.)
We legally purchased 436 skylantern. We acquired event insurance, 3 weeks ago. We signed a contract with the school district for use of their football field, 6 weeks ago. We've marketed for 6 months. We've already hosted a successful, safe, skylantern event (October 6, 2012) in which we raised $4200 for suicide prevention services- a local non-profit.
We learned of 4 days before our festival that as of May 28th, skylanterns are now banned in the state of Illinois. We're denied the privilege of being grandfathered in. We're denied the opportunity to get a permit for the event and hire a pyrotechnician.
It was suggested that others would want permission, too. Others that have already legally purchased lanterns, have already had a successful launching festival, and others that are launching for a local non- profit?
Our case is unique.
An opportunity of light and joy was taken away from a group who needs it the most. Suicide Prevention Services. www.spsamerica.org. In the history of Kendall County, how many skylanterns have caused fires?
No one has replied to me.
We even go do far as to have "skylantern chasers" follow the lanterns in the sky to discover where they land so we can tidy up any debris. We go the extra mile. To be safe. To be responsible.
We kindly ask to complete our final skylantern festival with skylanterns. June 1st. Our city has embraced this festival with support. We've been affected by suicide. We need this. Please grant us approval. Show us that miracles happen, and that politicians listen. Please.
