Override the governor's amendatory veto on SB641

Senate Bill 641 - an IFT initiated bill designed to ensure that all children have the visual tools they need to start school - was amendatorily vetoed by the governor. The governor's changes are unacceptable to the IFT and we are working to override his veto with the bill's sponsors, Sen. Deanna Demuzio (D-Litchfield) and Rep. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy).

SB641 unanimously passed in the General Assembly. Due in large part to IFT member support of this advocacy campaign, the Senate overwhemingly voted to override the Governor's veto on Tuesday, Oct. 2.

If you haven't already done so, please contact your state representative and ask him or her to vote YES to override the governor's amendatory veto and restore the original provisions of SB641.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Vote YES on SB641 and override Governor Blagojevich's amendatory veto.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I urge you to vote YES on SB641 and override Governor Blagojevich's amendatory veto.

SB641 passed both the Senate and the House unanimously and was an agreed bill designed to ensure that every child would receive an eye examination prior to beginning school in kindergarten or first grade. The eye exam would be given by an Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, or other physician with the proper training and equipment.

The governor's amendatory veto changes the examination to a screening while continuing to call it an eye exam. This is misleading to parents, does not save money and does not provide a child with an adequate exam to ensure that they have the vision and eye health to succeed in school.

A quality eye exam should be given to all kids, not just some. Please do not leave Springfield without voting YES again on SB641.

Thank you,

Campaign Launched:
October 01, 2007


Background Information

Senate Bill 641 - an IFT initiated bill designed to ensure that all children have the visual tools they need to start school - was amendatorily vetoed by the governor. The governor's changes are unacceptable to the IFT and we are working to override his veto with the bill's sponsors, Sen. Deanna Demuzio (D-Litchfield) and Rep. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy).

SB641 unanimously passed in the General Assembly. Due in large part to IFT member support of this advocacy campaign, the Senate overwhemingly voted to override the Governor's veto on Tuesday, Oct. 2.

SB 641, as it was sent to the governor, provided that:

  1. Ensured every child would receive an eye examination prior to beginning school in Kindergarten or First Grade.
  2. Provided for an eye exam given by an Optometrist, Ophthalmologist or other physician with the proper training and equipment.
  3. Included the definition of an eye examination that was developed by the Illinois Optometric Association and the Illinois Association of Ophthalmology and was agreed to by all parties including the Illinois State Medical Society.
  4. Contained language allowing school superintendents the ability to grant exceptions if eye care providers were not available or a parent failed to obtain an eye examination for a child.

The governor's amendatory veto resulted in changes to the bill that:

  1. Does not provide a child with an adequate exam to ensure that they have the vision and eye health to succeed in school.
  2. Does not meet the standard of practice for an eye examination.
  3. Reduces the examination to a screening while continuing to call it an eye exam. This would mislead parents and allow a provider to bill Medicaid and othesurance as if a complete eye exam had been given. A vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor, as confirmed by Public Act 93-0504.

For more information, download the IFT's Fact Sheet on SB 641.