No Horsing Around

Actress Bo Derek visits capital to protest slaughterhouse.
05-28-2004

By TOM POLANSEK
STATE CAPITOL BUREAU

Actress Bo Derek, famous for her role as a bronzed beach beauty in the movie "10," came to Springfield on Tuesday to talk about something much less pretty - horse slaughter.

A De Kalb slaughterhouse, closed temporarily by a fire, plans to reopen this month and ship horse meat abroad as food. In response, state legislators are considering two bills that would make it illegal to kill horses in Illinois for human consumption.

Supporters hope Derek's celebrity will bring enough attention to the issue to pass a ban. One version, Senate Bill 1921, already failed when it came up for a House vote in March [2004].

"I'm not going to judge another culture and what they're going to eat, but why do they have to eat American horses?" Derek asked.

Lawmakers, many with memories of Derek's sexy film roles, turned out to meet the star. Some support the bills, while others just wanted to meet Jane from "Tarzan, the Ape Man."

"I had to meet her, no doubt about it," said Rep. Joe Dunn, R-Naperville, during her appearance at the Pasfield House.

Dunn has not supported the ban and said Derek did not change his mind. Nevertheless, he lined up to take a picture with the 47-year-old movie star.

Rep. Frank Aguilar, R-Cicero, also struck a pose with her.

"I was thrilled," Aguilar said. "I watched a lot of her movies."

Aguilar initially opposed the measure but said he changed his mind after talking to constituents.

Others around the Capitol joked Tuesday they would oppose the bill simply to bring Derek back to town.

Derek became spokeswoman for the National Horse Protection Coalition about 10 weeks ago and will testify for a Senate committee today in support of the ban. Arlington Park racetrack in Arlington Heights paid for her flight to Illinois.

"When I went out and explained this bill, apparently nobody was listening," said Rep. Robert Molaro, D-Chicago, the House sponsor. "So we had to reach deep down and get someone that somebody would listen to."

Rep. Robert Pritchard, R-Sycamore, has been listening all along. His district includes De Kalb, and he wants the Cavel International slaughterhouse to reopen.

"Our country has always embraced choice," Pritchard said. "One of my concerns is for those producers that wish to dispose of an animal in this fashion, they ought to have that choice."

He said 40 people would lose their jobs, and De Kalb schools would lose property tax money if the plant goes out of business.

James Tucker, general manager of Cavel, worried Derek's presence could tip the votes against him.

"I wish we had a celebrity on our side," he said.

Tom Polansek can be reached at 782-6883
or thomas.polansek@sj-r.com

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