It’s Crunch Time for Childhood Obesity…Reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act This Year!

Today, our nation’s kids are struggling to maintain healthy lifestyles, complete with proper nutrition and physical activity. But through the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act, Congress can be part of the solution. But we need your help to get the job done on the Child Nutrition Act this year and ensure that the final bill includes:

• Increased funding for the school meal programs to help improve nutrition standards;

• Restrictions on the junk food sold in cafeterias, snack shops, and vending machines (H.R.1324/S.934);

• Guidelines to strengthen local wellness policies that establish the nutrition and physical activity goals of school districts (H.R. 5090 and S.3126).

Take 3 important steps to ensure our nation's kids have healthier options in the cafeterias:

1. Follow the link below to send a message to your legislator:

Reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act

2. Click on the image below to open, print, and fill out our "lunch tray petition" and fax it to your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators today!

*Not sure who your legislators are or where to fax your message? No problem! Click "My Profile" when you log in to http://www.yourethecure.org/ , which lists your legislators contact information including their picture. You can also click on "Information Resources" to find other elected officials in your area.

*Don't forget to tell us that you sent your message by RSVP-ing here.

3. Tell Your Friends and Family to Take Action!

Cigarette Buyers Pay Now Or YOU Pay Later!

Tobacco-related illnesses drain $4 billion annually from our state's economy. And every year taxpayers like you are on the hook for reimbursing billions in smoking-related healthcare costs through programs like Medicaid. Of course, the same taxpayers get soaked again when they have to cover their own skyrocketing health insurance premiums.

Please follow the link below to contact your legislators to ask them to make sure cigarette buyers pay their fair share of the cost associated with the use of that product. Urge them to increase our tobacco tax in Illinois by $1.

$1 Saves Thousands...in Cash and Lives in Illinois

Smoking is a leading risk factor for heart disease, and the American Heart Association urges the Illinois General Assembly to increase the state's cigarette tax by a dollar per pack as part of a responsible budget. Increasing our tobacco tax will bring in much-needed revenue while providing vital public health benefits.

Each year, smoking kills more than 16,500 Illinoisans. Yet 20 percent of our population smokes, and kids are still picking up this dangerous habit. Almost 9 percent of Illinois middle school children smoke. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the single most effective measure to prevent kids from starting to smoke is to significantly increase the cost of a pack of cigarettes. Higher costs also compel current smokers to quit, particularly in a recession. This action will save more than 50,000 Illinois residents from premature smoking-related death and ultimately reduce our state's health care costs.

With our state in dire financial straits, now is the time. Send your message today!

$1 Saves Thousands...in Cash and Lives in Illinois

Thank you for your help on this issue.

Thank Representative Biggert for Supporting FIT Kids

At the end of April, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the FIT Kids Act and brought us another step closer to helping improve the health of our nation's kids. Before we turn our attention to continuing to advance the bill, help us thank Members of the House of Representatives for their action.

If you haven't done so yet, please follow the link below to thank Representative Biggert:
Thank Representative Biggert for Supporting FIT Kids

As you know, strong Physical Education (PE) programs in our nation's schools are an important part of teaching healthy lifestyle choices and curbing the rise in childhood obesity. However, very few students actually receive the regular PE they need for healthy bodies and minds.

The FIT Kids Act would help us take a step in the right direction by establishing a framework for schools to closely look at the quality and quantity of PE they are providing, and to supply parents with that information to better understand the PE their kids are receiving.

Thank Representative Biggert for Supporting FIT Kids

Thank you for your support on this important legislative issue.

$1 Saves Thousands...in Cash and Lives in Illinois

Smoking is a leading risk factor for heart disease, and the American Heart Association urges the Illinois General Assembly to increase the state's cigarette tax by a dollar per pack as part of a responsible budget. Increasing our tobacco tax will bring in much-needed revenue while providing vital public health benefits. With our state in dire financial straits, now is the time.

Follow the link below to contact your legislators to urge them to increase our tobacco tax in Illinois by $1:

$1 Saves Thousands...in Cash and Lives for Illinois

Each year, smoking kills more than 16,500 Illinoisans. Yet 20 percent of our population smokes, and kids are still picking up this dangerous habit. Almost 9 percent of Illinois middle school children smoke. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the single most effective measure to prevent kids from starting to smoke is to significantly increase the cost of a pack of cigarettes. Higher costs also compel current smokers to quit, particularly in a recession.

This action will save more than 50,000 Illinois residents from premature smoking-related death and ultimately reduce our state's health care costs. Tobacco-related illnesses drain $4 billion annually from our state's economy.

Send your message today!

$1 Saves Thousands...in Cash and Lives for Illinois