In April 2006, Chicago became the first U.S. city to ban foie gras when the City Council voted to outlaw the sale of products made from the fattened, diseased livers of force-fed ducks and geese. Only weeks later, two Aldermen who initially voted in favor of the ban -- Burton Natarus and Bernard Stone -- reversed their positions and put forth an ordinance that would nullify the historic humane law.

For eight months, that ordinance has been sitting still in the Health Committee, but its proponents have recently pushed for action on the matter, using a parliamentary move to allow the Council to vote for the ban's repeal. Mayor Richard Daley, who is perhaps the most vocal and powerful opponent of Chicago's foie gras ban, has expressed his hopes that the city's aldermen will move to annul their original decision within the next two council meetings.

What You Can Do:

- Chicago residents: Tell your Chicago City Councilmember that you strongly oppose the force feeding of birds for foie gras, and urge him or her to vote against repealing the ban on this cruel "delicacy" within city limits. Please do this as soon as possible, as time is of the essence! Find out who your Councilmember is and get his/her contact information.

- Bills to ban foie gras are pending in several states right now. If you live in a state where a ban has not been introduced, please contact banfoiegras@idausa.org for information on how to get your legislators to introduce a ban.

For more information about foie gras, please visit www.StopForceFeeding.com.