August 20, 2012 For Immediate Release

Gov. Quinn Urged to Sign the Steven Watkins Bill into Law
CHICAGO - The Steven Watkins Bill has recently passed the Illinois House committee and the deadline for the Governor to act on this bill is Tuesday, August 21, 2012. I strongly urge Governor Quinn sign this important bill into law. This critical bill provides non-custodial fathers a strong defense against the very serious problem of visitation abuse in our state. Senate Bill 3823, known as the Steven Watkins Memorial Act, was passed in the wake of the tragic shooting death of Steven Watkins while he was picking up his daughter for court ordered visitation in Cass County. As Chair of The Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood, I feel strongly that the Governors signature of Senate Bill 3823 would be an important milestone. It would discourage custodial parents who unilaterally ignore visitation orders, providing penalties including suspension of the violators drivers license, monetary fines, and jail time. Steven Watkins was a beloved resident of Cass County who was shot to death as he arrived to pick up his daughter for court ordered visitation. His daughters mother removed the child to Florida. To date, Stevens parents have been denied court ordered visitation with their granddaughter. Visitation abuse plagues non-custodial parents throughout Illinois. We must prevent tragedies like the one that has befallen the Watkins family. I look forward to the Governors signature on the Steven Watkins Memorial Act and I know that it will set a powerful example for other states. About Jeffery M. Leving Jeffery M. Leving (http://dadsrights.com) was named one of Americas Best Lawyers by Forbes Radio. He authored two previous groundbreaking books: Fathers Rights and Divorce Wars. Leving was recently honored in Resolution No. 995 by the Illinois House of Representatives for his forward-thinking initiatives in the field of law and fathers rights. The House of Representatives resolved that Leving serves as a model of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois. For more information, please contact Jennifer Whiteside at 312-296-3666. ###