Ministry Name	Peace and Justice
Tips for Writing to Public Officials (source: League of Women Voters of Elmhurst Directory, p. 25)	1. Individual handwritten letters are more meaningful than a post card or signing a petition. E-mails have become more acceptable, especially since the anthrax scare. Keep a copy of what you send. 2.Check for correct spelling of the official's name and title. Use correct salutation. 3.Try to time your letter to arrive when the issue is current. 4.Focus on one issue per letter; try to keep it to one page in length. 5.Do express your personal opinion, in your own words. 6.The first sentence should state the issue you are addressing and the action you believe the official should take. 7.Present a concise reason for your position. 8.Describe the bill by its number or popular name. Legislative information and copies of the latest bills in the House and Senate can be accessed by bill numbers or topics at http://www.ilga.gov or through links at http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov 9.Be courteous and reasonable. Do not threaten or demand. 10.Include your full name and address in the letter (including your e-mail address) so that you can be contacted.
Other Sources of Information	Local public radio station: WBEZ 91.5 FM     Phone #: (312) 948-4600. Web site: http://www.chicagopublicradio.org     Local public television stations:     Channel 11 - Phone #: (773) 583-5000. Web site: http://www.wttw.com     Channel 20 (WYCC) - Phone #: (773) 838-7878. Web site: http://www.wycc.tv     Diocese of Joliet - Phone #: (815) 722- 6606. Web site: http://www.dioceseofjoliet.org     Diocese of Joliet Peace and Social Justice Office     Mr. Tom Garlitz - Phone #: (815) 834- 4028. Web site: http://www.dioceseofjoliet.org     National Organizations:         Amnesty International - http://www.amnesty.org         Amnesty International, USA - http://www.amnestyusa.org         Network (a national Catholic social justice lobby) - http://www.networklobby.org         Pax Christi (Catholic Peace Voice) - http://www.paxchristiusa.org         United States Catholic Conference of Bishops - http://www.usccb.org         The Vatican - http://www.vatican.va     Newspapers & Periodicals:         Catholic Explorer newspaper - http://www.catholicexplorer.com         (815) 838-6475         Commonweal Magazine - http://www.commonwealmagazine.org         (212) 662-4200