Metro East Sun

Critics are lining up against a bill detailing specifications of public bathrooms and opening all public restrooms to people of all genders.

HB1286 will be heard in the House Human Services Committee the morning of Feb. 22. Edwardsville resident Jennifer Korte, who ran against the bill’s sponsor State Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville), sent out a “Legislation Alert.”

“Legislation Alert: Equitable Restrooms All-Gender HB1286. (Debated at 11 p.m. on a Thursday night)” Korte said on Facebook. “Katie Stuart sponsored a bill that allows multiple stalls per 1 bathroom for all genders. Builders in IL could cut costs with fewer bathrooms and force men and women to use the same bathroom.” 

Korte added that she believes the legislation "has some major safety and privacy concerns for women and children." She is also worried that this will be ‘triggering’ for women with a history of abuse. 

"Men using a bathroom stall next to a woman is uncomfortable and frightening,” she said. “You can watch this legislation being debated here in this video. Rep. Katie Stuart D-112 admits that she has not asked her constituents if they want this legislation passed. Why would she not ask her residents... because it seems she is working for her lobbyists.”

Korte underlined how Illinois Democrats do their way saying they “have absolutely no checks and balances system in IL. "They just do it," Korte said if Illinois Democrats want a bill to become a law. " And we have seen them do this, with little public support. However, we still need to voice our concerns.”

“Watch this video to the end. It is interesting how Katie turns the concerns of this Representative and accuses him of ‘hateful, dangerous, transphobic rhetoric,’” Korte added. “This legislation is in the early stages of development. Since Katie hasn't asked your opinion of this, go ahead and call her. Tell her what you think about this. 618-365-6650.” 

The bill would require public accommodation for all-gender, multi-occupancy restrooms with signage. The restroom also must be located next to other restrooms which also must be designated for all genders. “As the nation continues to be swept along by the godless, nonsensical transgender wave, parents, grandparents, and concerned citizens of all stripes must stand up and say, ‘no further.’ Legislators may seek to advance laws that reflect the flavor of the moment, but as believers in a God who created man and woman in His own image and called them “good,” we can and must hold them accountable for anything that says otherwise,” Illinois Family Institute said in a post. Illinois Family said the bill has the potential to interfere with the religious rights contained in the First Amendment. “Churches, synagogues, and mosques are not typically treated as places of public accommodation, however, if they rent their space for weddings or other events, they could run afoul of this legislation. For houses of worship that teach a view of gender that, until very recently, was not in question, freedom of speech and religion would come under threat. Churches, synagogues, and mosques could face having to decide between faithfulness to their religious texts and bowing to Springfield,” the group wrote.

Advocacy organizations are calling for concerned citizens to file legislation. “PLEASE FILE YOUR WITNESS SLIP TO OPPOSE HB 1286 which will require ALL bathrooms become ALL GENDER!!!" Awake Illinois said in a tweet.

Witness slips are available HERE.

The bill’s synopsis provides calculations on “female-to-male ratio requirements” of such bathrooms. “Provides that when plumbing fixtures in a facility must meet female-to-male ratio requirements, each individual fixture in an all-gender multiple-occupancy restroom may be counted toward the required number of either female or male toilet stalls. Provides that if a fixture is counted toward the minimum required fixtures for females, that same fixture shall not also be counted toward the minimum required fixtures for males, and if a fixture is counted toward the minimum required fixtures for males, that same fixture shall not also be counted toward the minimum required fixtures for females. Provides that during any inspection of a facility by a health officer, health inspector, or building inspector, the health officer, health inspector, or building inspector may inspect the facility to determine whether it complies with the provisions,” the bill’s synopsis reads.