The Student Action Team, made up of 22 students, broke through the crowd of around 1000 people who were rallying against same sex marriage, forming in the atrium of the Illinois Capitol building to lobby for Eastern issues in Springfield.

The Illinois Family Institute coordinated the rally in order to show their disagreement with the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, which would allow for same-sex marriage within Illinois state lines.

David Smith, a Robinson, Ill. resident, said they are there to make sure the bill does not pass and the rules for marriage do not change.

Those at the rally wore yellow buttons, which read “Marriage: Mom, Dad.”

They also lobbied against the bill walking from representative to representative.

These protesters, on multiple occasions bumped into the Student Action Team members when the team would walk in to pitch their issues.

Dennis Reboletti, the 45th District state representative, said while the bill is tabled in the house, it will probably not be voted on for another two weeks.

The team talked with multiple Illinois district representatives about three key issues, which are important to the Student Senate, as well as the administration.

The team advocated increasing appropriations for higher education and monetary program grants, which allow those who may not be able to fully pay for college tuition to go to college.

Catelin Witt, a freshman political science major, said 37 percent who were eligible for these grants where not provided with these amenities.

To provide MAP grants for the other eligible students, it would cost $3.8 million.

The team members also pushed for the funding for the new science building Eastern is trying to build.

The building is expected to cost $30 million.

Lauren Morrow said the current building was constructed in the 30s and it was not meant for labs.

Temperature controls are not as functional in the building as well.

The building is currently eighth in priority spending for higher education.

Andy Manar, the state representative of the 48th District, said the focus of the campus should not be raising the building on the priority list.

“I think the issue is that we need a construction bill,” Manar said.

While the representatives were supportive of these causes by giving tips and avenues in order for the team to reach their goals, a major theme throughout each meeting with the representatives was the state was lacking the funds to provide aid to the campus.

Brad Halbrook, the 110th District state representatives, said while the state legislature did have a $2 million surplus of money to spend on the state, they plan on allocating the money towards other areas.

Before starting the day going to talk to the multiple representatives throughout the Capitol Building and the Stratton Building across the street, Dale Righter provided tips to effectively catching the eyes of the people they would be lobbying to.

Righter said to make sure the lobbiers mention they are a registered voter in their district.

He added they care about re-elections and they want their constituencies to be happy and like them.

Righter also said handwritten “thank you” letters for their time was a small personal touch, which speaks volumes telling the representative the person took the time to write out the letters and send them.

Katie Anselment, the director of constituent relations who helped the team find their way and gave them advice on how to present themselves, said she is basically the Eastern appointed lobbyist in Springfield to promote Eastern issues.

Student Body President Kaylia Eskew, a senior journalism major, said while the process of lobbying is slow, it does produce results and she believes the Student Action Team accomplished a lot.

Eskew said students who lobbied previous years helped promote the funding for the Renewable Research Center.

Executive Vice President Mitch Gurick said even though he believes it was successful, it would not matter because the members of the Student Action Team are learning great experiences.

Reboletti said it was important for these students to lobby.

“You want to put a face on to an issue or an institution,” Reboletti said.

Jarad Jarmon can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].