UPDATE TO CONSTITUENTS INTERESTED IN WINE LEGISLATION

May, 5 2007
Special to juliehamos.org

Last year, I received over 125 letters or emails expressing concerns and opposition to Senate Bill 2180, legislation that potentially would restrict your ability to purchase wine over the Internet, from catalogues or from out-of-state sellers.

Some of you contacted my office again this year when you discovered that this legislation had resurfaced, this time as House Bill 429. Once again, this issue was brought to my attention by your letters, emails and phone calls. Thank you for helping to make me an informed legislator.

If you remember, last session on behalf of consumers, I urged the sponsors and the Speaker to amend the legislation to allow consumers who have been buying wine online or through catalogues legally for the past 15 years to continue to be able to do so. The legislation was not discussed or debated in the House last year, and no vote was taken.

This week, I learned of the resurrection of the bill and immediately drafted and introduced Amendment #3 to House Bill 429. The bill already permits out-of-state wineries to apply for wine shipper's licenses, but my amendment extends this process to other types of out-of-state businesses – such as internet-based sellers, brokers, auctions or out-of-state stores.

Without Amendment #3, I believe that House Bill 429 is protectionist legislation that does not have the best interest of consumers in mind. We would be turning back the clock to before the Internet -- or turn Illinois consumers into criminals.

I thought you would be interested in this update. Please know that I am once again championing this issue on your behalf. We may need active statewide consumer involvement if the issue is not resolved. Please feel free to call me at 847-424-9898 or email me at Julie@juliehamos.org with your comments and suggestions. You can also track the progress of House Bill 429 at www.ilga.gov . Thank you again for your assistance in helping me to become a more informed policy-maker on this issue.