Action pnum1168 Last 25 Messages Transmitted Log Vote NO on 4036 banning raw milk sales in Illinois ********** [110608:062414] T.S., Rock Falls, IL The only reason the govt is wanting to NOT allow us to drink unpasturized milk is so they can continue to give us the stuff they won't drink! Unpasturized milk is the safest and best milk to drink! ********** [132436:040714] J.B., Eureka, IL The proposed ban on raw milk is illogical and unjust. Public health is not threatened by the *small-scale* sale of unpasteurized milk. This ban looks like a capitulation to pressure from agribusiness, suggesting a failure true democracy and an indifference to the well-being and wishes of the people of Illinois. Please vote NO on HB 4036. ********** [112916:040714] W.W., Eureka, IL This duplicitous amendment is outrageous and clearly not intended in the spirit of transparent democratic government. I buy raw milk from a farm for the health of my family and to support small-scale agriculture. I resent this act's attack on both of those values. Please withdraw or reject this act. ********** [074637:040614] L.S., Wauconda, IL My name is Lila S.and I am an Illinois resident. I am calling to urge you to vote "No" on HB 4036. While I do not personally drink raw milk, I did grow up drinking it in NY. It was the most nutritious food my mother could have given me. Consider that it is only in modern times that we've been pasteurizing milk. Up until about 100 years ago, the human race consumed raw milk. People did not die from this. It was only when modern industrial methods of producing milk were implemented, did we start having problems. The big dairies, like Dean Foods, could NEVER sell raw milk. but the local small dairy farmer CAN, because he's gone back to older and safer methods. Please do not take away people's access to raw milk. The passage of this legislation would not only hurt local farmers and the local economy, but it would also hurt families that depend on raw milk as a nutritious food source. ********** [170956:040414] W.S., 0903:7285:Tammy Duckworth, I work at Rush Oak Park Hospital. I talk to the children's physician from time to time. A few spoke of the benefits of raw milk before my grandchildren were born. I always kept that in mind. Now that I have grandchildren that drink raw milk and seeing them grow so strong and well, I wished I would have known about this when I had my kids, both who drank pasteurized milk growing up and had bad allergies. Please do not support HB4036. Read about the benefits of raw milk. Let the people, not government, choose what is best for them. ********** [135925:040414] K.S., Bloomington, IL Let us drink real milk. All of the pasteurization is also killing the good things in the milk. ********** [170156:033114] E.P., Saint Jacob, IL As a former public health official who has investigated hundreds of foodborne illnesses NONE were related to raw milk. I drink raw milk daily and believe it would be a violation of my constitutional rights to prohibit the sale of raw milk. ********** [164915:033114] A.P., Saint Jacob, IL Please do not support HB4036-HCA1. Daily consumption of raw milk is helping me to regain my health. Please do not take away my right to this nutrient dense food. Please read "The Untold Story of Milk, Revised and Updated: The History, Politics and Science of Nature's Perfect Food: Raw Milk from Pasture Fed Cows, by Ron Schmid, and learn how safe raw milk really is! ********** [143846:033114] S.B., Waterman, IL Honestly you should be more concerned and spending more time and money on the commercial milk that is on the market. That is the stuff that has the potential to make people sick! Remember this is my choice. I have done extensive research and know what is best for my family and I. Raw milk is an essential part of our daily diet. We are one of the healthiest families I know. You are welcome to stop by anytime and see for yourself. ********** [111116:033114] P.S., 0903:7285:Tammy Duckworth, Please stand with the people and do not support HB4036 that would ban the sale of raw milk here in IL. Please support the mom and pop businesses that sell raw milk, small farms, raw milk consumers and the free market. Don't let the Big Dairy and Factory Farming get away with using government to get this bill to pass which would eliminate their competition and give them total control of the dairy market. Thank you for your time, Pat ********** [105147:033114] J.N., Urbana, IL My dad and his family grew up on raw milk from their small family farm and had - and still has- robust health. Laws suitable for industrial farming may not be suitable for small family farms, and in the case of raw milk, I would argue that this is true. I would never want to drink raw milk from an industrially raised cow, but would of raw milk from small farms where I know and agree with how the animals are being raised. Our family wants to be able to make cheese from raw milk. According to the Raw Milk Cheesemakers Association cheese produced from raw milk have distinct complexity and depth of flavor as compared with pasteurized-milk cheese. Putting a ban on sale and distribution on milk will effect cheese makers in this state. If you really care about peoples health, instead of banning the selling or distribution of raw milk, which only makes people go underground, why don't you establish guidelines for bottle sterility, storage standards and warning labels? If you are going to ban raw milk why don't you also ban people from smoking, from eating a diet based on fast foods, from bungee jumping, from...I understand the public health angle and wouldn't want raw milk to be sold in any convenience store because most people would not want to review information regarding the risks. But for those of us who have reviewed information and feel that the risks are worth it, we deserve the opportunity to make that choice, just like the people who choose to feed their kids Happy Meals frequently, or choose to smoke at their home. ********** [102107:033114] L.L., Addison, IL This is joke and a waste of money to try to ban raw milk. Raw milk sales should increase by selling in stores and not be banned. So many people want and need this and are healthier for it. Please vote NO on HB4036 ********** [082415:033114] A.P., Malta, IL There are a lot of things in our food supply making a lot of people chronically ill. Raw milk is not one of them. Dan Burke seems to be bent on expanding the food deserts in his district throughout the state. Look around and see the health results of a salt, sugar and artificial food additive based diet. These foods can't support a food illness outbreak yet they only bring poor health. Go figure. For those in government reading this I've coined a phrase. "Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food." As far as you know this is a new concept I would guess. ********** [074232:033114] L.L., Barrington, IL Raw milk is a pure product that should not be banned from people. Its only the milk industry that does not want people to get raw milk because it takes business away from the huge milk producers. Let the people who want raw milk get it - for their autistic children. There is enough sickness in the world. We need raw milk available to us. Please vote NO on HB 4036 Thank you! ********** [160348:033014] D.P., Malta, IL I have been a raw milk consumer for 13 years. NOT ONCE have I been made ill by consuming this beverage. I should have the right to consume this food without the interference of government. I urge you to vote NO on HB 4036 and any amendments or future bills that would outlaw raw milk sales/distributions. ********** [070136:033014] S.B., Mineral, IL My family has both benefitted from the consumption of raw milk and have produced it. We should have the right to choose our foods. Please help us to keep our freedoms rather than take them away. Raw milk is healthy, when produced with care, not harmful. My family is harmed by pasteurized milk. Please do not harm those of us who cannot digest pasteurized dairy. Sandy Bauer Concerned Illinois Resident ********** [040139:033014] e.m., Dixon, IL I will soon take my boards to be a registered dietitian and I drink raw milk. Not only have I never once been sick from it, I have seen my farmer in action as her production methods are fully transparent. Therefore I trust her product where I can't trust the super market. Furthermore, this mode of production is sustainable and naturally holds the farmer accountable. The time of chalking milk to hide the unhealthy color has passed and I am always confident in my raw milk. If the cows are healthy than so is the milk. Please don't take away my right to drink it. ********** [205922:032914] K.H., Downers Grove, IL Please let a super nutritious and totally non-harmful food be allowed for public consumption. PLEASE ********** [140056:032914] D.L., Chicago, IL I urge you: Support local food, Support local family farmers, Support our freedom to make informed food choices. Vote NO on HB 4036 and HB 4036 HCA 1. ********** [091303:032914] M.R., Chicago, IL I'a 55 years old me and my family been drinking raw milk all our life this is part of our nutrition we have the right to be able to obtain raw milk I urge you to vote no on HB4036 thank you. ********** [084110:032914] E.K., Steger, IL I urge you to vote NO on both HB 4036 and amendment HB4036-HCA1 attempting to ban the distribution of raw milk in Illinois. ********** [082039:032914] R.D., Sheffield, IL Dear Representatives, I would like to urge you to vote "No" on 4036. It is growing fact that raw milk has wonderful nutritional value and it has been a source of healing for many people throughout the ages. Please preserve our right to access in IL. We would eventually like to have greater rights to access of raw milk. For example, in California it is available at retail establishments. Thank you so much for your time. Peace, Dr. Rebekah Dees-McMahon ********** [071208:032914] L.S., Palatine, IL I want to continue to be able to purchase raw milk in Illinois! Vote no on HB4036-HCA1 ********** [052038:032914] D.M., Dixon, IL I was born with an allergy to all dairy. It wasn't until my mid 40's that I found out raw milk was well tolerated by my body. Please keep this option available ! ********** [003943:032914] B.J., Atkinson, IL Vote NO on HB4036. Freedom from regulation spawns ingenuity and liberty. NO ON HB4036 ! **********