Kevin B. Morrison, the gay democratic Cook County Commissioner candidate for the 15th district, held a Pride month fundraiser June 13 at Sidetrack. Morrison is running against incumbent and Illinois Republican Party Chair Timothy Schneider.
Illinois state Rep. Greg Harris said this night will be remembered because Morrison "is going places" politically. Harris noted that the 15th county commissioner race is important because he is running against one of the most prominent Republicans in Illinois.
"Kevin has a record of successfully running campaigns, including a number of Chicago alderman and state representative races, state Sen. Omar Aquino's race and Iowa caucuses for Hillary Clinton," said Harris. "He is also a door knocking machine with more than 10,000 doors visited during the primary. This is also an LGBT event and it is important to note that Kevin has a deep and strong commitment to our community."
Harris explained that Morrison has been on the forefront of fighting for transgender students to have access to school bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity in District 211 as well as working to elect school board members who will support LGBT rights in that school district.
Morrison lauded Harris' leadership in the fight for marriage equality in Illinois.
"I am so excited to be standing in front of all of you tonight," said Morrison. "When I decided to take on this race, I was unaware that we had never had an openly LGBT person on the Cook County board. I am looking forward to being a voice for our community at the county level. My opponent is the person who gave Illinois delegates to Donald J. Trump during the Republican convention in 2016. His policies are incredibly harmful for residents throughout the county and I look forward to changing that moving forward."
Morrison noted that Hillary Clinton won this district by 20 points, and that during the March 2018 primary twice as many Democratic votes were cast than Republican ones. He said these statistics means he can win, adding his belief that Schneider is Gov. Bruce Rauner's right-hand man.
Speaking about what he will do if elected, Morrison said he will ensure that every country service is inclusive of all communities. He said he will also stand up for small businesses.
The event's honorary chair was Rep. Jan Schakowsky who hosted alongside many LGBT and allied elected officials and community leaders. Those in attendance included Illinois state Sen. Omar Aquino, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Debra Shore, Ald. Tom Tunney, Ald. Deb Mell, Ald. James Cappleman, Illinois Democratic County Chairmen Association President and Rock Island County Democrats Chairman Doug House, 8th District Democratic Central Committeeman Mike Cudzik, East Aurora School District Board Vice President Alex Arroyo, 40th Ward aldermanic candidate Maggie O'Keefe, 49th Ward aldermanic candidate Maria Hadden and Illinois state Rep. candidate Maggie Trevor.
For more information and/or to donate to Morrison's campaign, visit KevinBMorrison.com .
