Help Fix Illinois for Wine Lovers!!!!

[Berno]

The below is a statement from Tom Wark. Email him to help Illinois wine lovers get their rights back.
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As many of you know, particularly if you are a resident of the state, Illinois recently cut off your access to wine retailers located outside the state. As of June 1, you are no longer able to legally purchase and have shipped to you wine from an out-of-state wine merchants.

A move is afoot to create a consumer based organization that will push legislators to fix this anti-consumer, protectionist law.

As conceived, ILLINOISANS FOR FAIR WINE LAWS, will bring together Illinoisans willing to stand up, be counted, and to tell legislators in the state that the current laws need to be changed. The organization is imagined as a single, very loud, voice for Illinois Wine Lovers.

If you are an Illinoisan, if you are interested in this movement, if you are interested in joining this organization and if you are interested in working to help change Illinois' anti-consumer, anti-retailer wine laws then email me.

Tom Wark: twark@specialtywineretailers.org

This is not a solicitation for money in any way. It's a solicitation for folks who want to see Illinois' wine laws fixed to be consumer and commerce-friendly.

All I need is your name and email address and I will keep you abreast of the organization's progression toward its official founding. Your email address will be kept strictly confidential and your identity will also be kept strictly confidential unless you specifically tell me you don't mind being identified with the organization when it launches.

Tom Wark
Executive Director
Specialty Wine Retailers Association

[sprnplr]

This cannot be posted enough.

[Berno]

First newsletter, please sign up!

Dear Illinois Wine Lovers:

First, thank you for agreeing to stay informed concerning Illinois wine laws and the attempt we are making to create a consumer organization of Illinois wine lovers.

Last week over 60 of you signed up to be charter members of this organization. Thank you. The message you saw on various wine forums is the only information that has yet been made available to begin this group. Now we are on a path to getting things going.

Specialty Wine Retailers Association will work with you 100% to get this group off the ground so it can be effective in changing laws in Illinois that make it difficult for wine lovers to access wine and so that in the future, consumers have a voice in legislative and regulatory matters of concern to wine consumers. In the past, this representation has not existed and your voices have not been heard. Please recognize that SWRA knows that its own members interests are involved in this battle. We do not suggest that we are simply generous in helping Illinois consumers. Rather, we are well aware that retailer's interests are in perfect alignment with consumers interests. We also recognize that if the laws of Illinois that prevent you from buying from out of state retailers and prevent retailers from selling and shipping into the state are to be changed, then consumers and retailers MUST work together. But first things first.

I'd like to get your input on a couple of issues.

1. THE NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION
Which of the following do you prefer or is there another name you'd like to suggest that you believe would be an effective moniker for a group of Illinois based wine consumers:

a. Illinoisans for Fair Wine Laws (IFWL)

b. Illinois Wine Consumer Coalition (IWCC)

2. STEERING COMMITTEE
A group of 3-5 individuals will be needed to act as a steering committee for this new organization. They will be responsible for listening to members and making decisions for the organization at the outset. They will also be individuals that understand the issues of consumer access to wine, are willing to speak to the media as a member of the group and who are likely candidates to testify in front of the Illinois legislature if we can move down that road in fixing Illinois for wine lovers.

Please Email me if you want more information on this position or if you are willing to serve in that capacity.

3. Mission Statement
Every organization needs to tell the world and potential members why it exists. I'd like your input on the following mission statement for this group of Illinois wine consumers

"(Name of Organization) and its members provide a voice for Illinois wine consumers. Our foundational principle is that fair laws are those that provide consumers with full access to the wines of their choice, be they found at Illinois wineries, Illinois retailers or wineries and retailers out-of-state. A well regulated and efficient wine market demands full access to all wines for adult Illinois consumers. (Name of Organization) works to assure that Illinois laws and regulations concerning access to wine always take into account the consumers, which form the foundation for a strong and vibrant wine market in Illinois."


4. Other Information

SWRA is in the process of seeking advice as to the best structure for the organization
SWRA is creating an informational website
SWRA has two individuals devoted to helping organize this group
SWRA has board approval to help fund this consumer organization
We believe that for this organization to be effective more than 1000 Illinoisans must become affiliated with it.
The first step after founding is to promote its existence and increase membership
It is the intention of SWRA to use a legislative means to legalize wine shipping between Illinois consumers and out of state retailers.

Thank you again for your interest, participation, support and help.

Best regards,

Tom Wark

Tom Wark
Executive Director
Specialty Wine Retailers Association
twark@specialtywineretailers.org
707-935-4424-tel
707-246-6451-cell