<p>We would like to thank everyone who has reached out to their legislators regarding the stipend issue.&nbsp; We have heard from several member who received positive responses from their legislators and we know that our message is being heard.&nbsp;&nbsp; We need to keep up our communication efforts in this area, and keep educating the General Assembly regarding the stipend issue.</p> <p>&nbsp;To assist you in this task, we have created an &ldquo;IACC Stipend Advocacy Center&rdquo; on the IACC website.&nbsp; The Advocacy Center will allow you to download documents for use in lobbying legislators on the stipend issue such as talking points, a one-page leave behind document, and information regarding the salaries of the circuit clerks and the percentage decreases we will experience if the stipends are not funded.&nbsp; </p> <p>&nbsp;You will need your IACC website user name and password to access the materials in the Advocacy Center.&nbsp; Also, be sure to check out the user forum and share comments and feedback regarding your conversations with legislators.&nbsp; We encourage you to use the forum to communicate with your fellow clerks and share &ldquo;best practices&rdquo; with each other as you dialogue with your legislators on the stipend cut.&rdquo;</p> <p>In addition to developing these documents for your use (we thank Cindy Svanda and staff for their assistance) we have been coordinating with the other County officials and their lobbyists.&nbsp; We also have arranged a meeting with Senate President John Cullerton.&nbsp; We are taking the steps we think necessary to secure the necessary funding for our stipends.&nbsp; We will continue to keep you informed about our progress and the role that you can play in advancing our cause.</p>