Violent Threats, Misinformation Force Postponement of Stuart Constituent Event

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, is postponing a Collinsville constituent coffee event originally scheduled Saturday, Feb. 25 due to violent threats and malicious false misinformation being spread by special interest groups about bathroom privacy and safety legislation.

“We’ve seen how hateful misinformation just like what is now flooding into our community can result in real violence, and I will not put my staff and my constituents in harm’s way,” Stuart said. “I want to be very clear: Out-of-touch special interests are manufacturing controversy where none should be. These actions are inciting violence, and now preventing people from peacefully participating in our democracy. I will reschedule this event when it is safe to do so, and will continue to confront misinformation with truth.”

Extreme special interests have spread misinformation about Stuart’s House Bill 1286, resulting in violent threats directed at Stuart and her office.       

In truth, Stuart’s bill establishes privacy, safety, and functionality standards for building developers that choose to offer a bathroom without a posted gender – but only if and when developers choose to include a bathroom without a gender designation. These standards would only apply to new construction. House Bill 1286 does not require gender-neutral bathrooms; builders would choose what bathroom facilities to offer, and would be required to meet appropriate standards for toilet and urinal privacy in the event they choose to build a bathroom without a gender designation. Extremist groups and some politicians have attempted to misrepresent the true purpose of the bill in an attempt to score cheap political points and divide people.

“This bill is about ensuring all bathrooms are private, hygienic, and functional facilities – and if using a bathroom in peace and privacy doesn’t sound like it should be controversial, that’s because the only controversy is one fabricated by the same out-of-touch extremists who have tried time and time again to mislead people for their own political gain,” Stuart said. “The fact is, some developers are choosing to offer bathrooms without a designated gender. It’s also a fact that if they choose to do that, they’ll need to consider privacy, safety, and functionality of these facilities. It’s time for people spreading misinformation and fear to deal in facts instead of lies.”

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