From the President of the Chicago Herpetological Society Re:
an e-mail I sent To offer some help . It really sounds good folks . 
Kevin
(2) Letters
Hi Kevin:
Thank you for your offer of your expertisse. The direction this is going now is a good one. We are getting major press in Chicago (check our website as all of that gets posted). Our stance on the ban is that the redundant and unfair section gets completely taken out of the ordinance -- no rewrites. In this case, it is all or nothing. Venemous and large constrictors, etc., are already covered by our Illinois state laws. The point we are trying to make to the aldermen is that the ordinance concerning reptiles is completely unnecessary. Several of the committee aldermen we have met with agreed with us, as well as the editors of the Chicago Sun Times! In yesteday's paper, there was an editorial supporting the reptile people! ( See Below )
On Saturday evening, I have been invited to be on powerful WGN radio on a forum with Dr. Byron De La Navarre, several representatives from other animal groups and the co-sponsor of the ordinance, alderman Shirley Coleman.
I was interviewed by Reptiles magazine, and have been asked to write something for their next issue.
Fox Television called to ask us to be on the air, but they got the manager from an independant pet store here in Chicago instead.
We will try to have all of this posted on the website as it develops.
Again, thank you, Kevin.
Lori
Hi Kevin:
Thank you as always for your good words and your support.
I neglected to mention that we had a terrific article and huge photo in Saturday's Chicago Sun Times newspaper. A reporter called me late Friday afternoon, and they came to my apartment Friday evening to photograph me with a reptile. I invited 2 other CHS members to be in the photo with their herps to give it strength. I couldn't believe it when I got the paper on Saturday morning, and there was also a smaller photo of me hugging my cyclura was on the FRONT PAGE at the top next to a photo of a White Sox baseball player with the news of the Sox being in first place!
Several radio stations (WLS and WGN) picked up on the Sun Times story and were talking about it throughout the weekend.
I just learned that cosponsor of the proposed ban, Alderman Shirley Coleman, confirmed that she will be on the WGN radio forum this Saturday evening.. That is very exciting. WGN has megawattage, and you may be able to hear the broadcast in Ohio. My Mom in Michigan listens to it!
On Monday night I met with committee member Alderman Margaret Laurino concerning this issue, of course. She is the third alderman on the committee who told me this proposed bill may never make it to the hearing. She said, "There is a good chance it will not see the light of day." The pressure is on Alderman Burke, but he is powerful and does things just to spite people to show his power. I am advising concerned people not to let up on this for a minute. The word is getting out that the proposed ordinance is redundant, unfair and ridiculous.
More soon.
With appreciation,
Lori
CHS
