Ron Sandack, Jason Barickman, Mike Smiddy and Ken Dunkin. Those are the names of Illinois lawmakers whose support for same-sex marriage may have cost them politically. Those are also candidates accepting money from the Equality Illinois Political Action Committee early.
For the first time in its history, the EQIL PAC has endorsed a handful of candidates early, an effort to support Republicans and other lawmakers whose support for equal marriage may have thrown an extra hurdle in their re-election bids next year.
Randy Hannig, policy director of Equality Illinois, said the PAC is backing a small number of candidates this fall in an effort to support the passage of equal marriage legislation.
The PAC typically shells out endorsements and cash in February, after filing deadlines, Hannig noted.
"We're just getting started in terms of our PAC fundraising," said Hannig.
But for Republicans reps like Ron Sandack and Ed Sullivan, Jr., who have co-sponsored the same-sex marriage bill, the PAC is already cutting checks. Other sponsors like Toni Berrios ( D-Chicago ) and Cynthia Soto ( D-Chicago ) have also taken home early contributions.
"We really wanted to show those members that we have their backs," said Hannig.
Key supporters like Christian Mitchell and Ken Dunkin, chair of the House Black Caucus, also received early money.
Hannig said the rule this season is that sponsors or co-sponsors of the bill who said they needed support in their districts have been considered.
"If you haven't publicly declared your support for marriage equality by sponsoring or co-sponsoring the bill, the PAC board has decided not to consider giving you an early donation," Hannig said.
The exception has been Sen. Jason Barickman, whose vote for the bill, the only Republican yes vote, shocked LGBT leaders. Hannig said Barickman put himself on-record, meriting a contribution. EQIL gave Barickman $5,000.
The early contributions come after an ambitious fundraising commitment by Equality Illinois, which pledged to put $500,000 toward the campaign to pass equal marriage legislation. Half of that money is expected to go to education and outreach for the organization, while the other half with be funneled through the PAC side.
A list 2013 of EQIL contributions according to the Illinois Board of Elections is as follows ( with some candidates getting multiple donations ):
Friends of Jason Barickman: $5,000
Citizens for Sullivan: $5,250
Mike Smiddy for State Representative: $5,000
Citizens to Elect Ron Sandack: $5,750
Friends of Ken Dunkin: $5,000
Friends of Christian Mitchell: $5,000
Citizens for Maria A Berrios: $5,000
Citizens to Elect Ron Sandack: $5,000
Citizens for Sullivan $5,000
Citizens for Cynthia Soto: $5,000
