The Feb. 2, 2010, primary elections have taken on added significance for Cook County's LGBT community. At least 11 openly gay and lesbian individuals are vying for various posts. Below are gay and lesbian candidates for office. ( All of the candidates are in the Democratic party. )
Deb Mell
Race: Illinois State Representative ( 40th District )
Web site: DebMell.org
The skinny: Deb Mell started her first term making history as the first open lesbian in the Illinois General Assembly—and then did something historic in being the only representative to vote against impeachment of then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich, her brother-in-law. ( She told Windy City Times, "The day I made that vote, the Rod I knew and the Rod they were talking about didn't match up," adding that people told her afterwards that they were happy she voted that way. ) A staunch advocate for marriage equality, Mell is locked in a contentious primary race with openly gay Joe Laiacona, marking the only race between two out candidates in the state.
Greg Harris
Race: Illinois State Representative ( 13th District )
Web site: GregHarris.org
The skinny: Harris, who is openly HIV-positive as well as being openly gay, has represented his district ( which includes Uptown, Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, North Center and Bowmanville ) since being elected in 2006. Although his name has appeared most prominently in LGBT publications in connection with the issue of marriage equality ( introducing a civil-marriage bill ) , he is intimately involved with a host of other issues, such as the state budget, foreclosure mediation, children of incarcerated parents and insurance reform. He is currently running unopposed.
Ed Mullen
Race: Illinois State Representative ( 11th District )
Web site: VoteEdMullen.com
The skinny: This district—which includes parts of Lakeview, Lincoln Park and Ravenswood—is up for grabs because incumbent rep John Fritchey is running for a seat on the Cook County Board of Commissioners. On his Web site, Mullen describes himself as "an independent and progressive Democrat" who strongly believes "in political reform, economic development, and social justice." Fun fact: Mullen is a founding member of the D.C. Cowboys, a gay country/western dance group that has appeared on America's Got Talent.
Joe Laiacona
Race: Illinois State Representative ( 40th District )
Web site: FriendsForJoeLaiacona.org
The skinny: A part-time instructor at Columbia College Chicago for almost 17 years, Laiacona told Windy City Times ( in an interview that ran Oct. 21 ) that he is a better candidate than incumbent Rep. Deb Mell because "I have 62 years of experience in living, I'm better educated, I solidly represent the middle-class people in my district—and I'm better able to speak on their behalf." Laiacona might be known to some in the LGBT community as "Jack Rinella," his pseudonym when he wrote "Leather Views" for Gay Chicago Magazine. Laiacona recently dropped a petition challenge against Mell, citing a lack of funds.
Joanne Fehn
Race: Cook County Judge, Kelley vacancy
Web site: JoanneFehn.com
The skinny: Although she entered the race relatively late ( in August ) , Fehn has been making up for lost time with a slew of fundraisers and personal appearances, including hosting a Dec. 13 event at La Villa Restaurant, 3632 N. Pulaski, that benefited several organizations, including New Moms and Tabitha House. Fehn has practiced transactional law for 15 years, and counts lesbian state Rep. Deb Mell among her supporters.
Jim Madigan
Race: Illinois State Senate ( 7th District )
Web site: JimMadigan.com
The skinny: This race is probably one of the most competitive in Illinois, as challenger Madigan is pitted against Democratic incumbent state Sen. Heather Steans, who recently introduced a marriage-equality measure. ( The primary winner would then compete against Republican Adam Robinson, who is for same-sex marriage. ) Madigan has spoken on a slew of issues ranging from women's equality to preventing video gambling in the district. A few weeks ago, the contest became even more contentious when Steans' husband, Leo Smith, confronted Madigan at a pro-Madigan rally in an Andersonville gay nightspot.
Todd Connor
Race: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District ( MWRD ) commissioner
Web site: ToddConnor.org
The skinny: A military veteran, Connor was commissioned as a U.S. Navy officer, quickly becoming lieutenant and serving two tours of duty. As a candidate, his platform includes competitive bidding; investing in a green infrastructure; and bringing transparency and accountability to the MWRD with an inspector general. Considering his background ( earning an MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business ) , it should surprise no one that Connor, 31, wants to bring more of a business perspective to the commission.
Linda J. Pauel
Race: Cook County Judge, Dolan vacancy
Web site: LindaJPauel.com
The skinny: A 1991 summa cum laude graduate of Chicago-Kent Law School, Pauel has been an attorney for the City of Chicago's Law Department since 1994. Among the organizations that have endorsed Pauel are the Victory Fund, AFL-CIO and the Cook County Democratic Party. In a recent interview with Windy City Times, Pauel commented, "It's important to the community to see that we are viable candidates and that we can win despite that fact that people know that we're gay." She was born in Jamaica to parents of mixed heritage ( Chinese, Jamaican and Dutch ) .
David Schroeder
Race: Illinois State Representative ( 5th District )
Web site: PeopleForSchroeder.com
The skinny: Schroeder is another challenger who faces a strong opponent; this time it is incumbent Ken Dunkin ( who Schroeder calls "the ultimate Blagojevich enabler" on his Web site ) . Among the issues he supports are marriage equality, campaign-contribution limits and reproductive choice ( adding that he advocates "measures that will lower the number of abortions," such as "medically accurate sex education" ) .
Sebastian Patti
Race: 1st Appellate, South vacancy
Web site: www.SebastianPatti.com
The skinny: Patti, who is running against four other Democrats, became the first openly gay member of the Illinois Appellate Court when he was inducted Aug. 3. Patti ( who became Illinois' first openly gay appointed judge in 1996 ) is a director of the Alliance of Illinois Judges, which was formed by the Lesbian and Gay Judges of the Circuit Court of Cook County; the group hopes to be a resource for fellow judges and the legal community, and to be mentors for LGBT law students.
Jacob Meister
Race: U.S. Senate
Web site: MeisterForSenate.com
The skinny: Being in a contest for Roland Burris' U.S. Senate seat ( and the one occupied by one-time U.S. Sen. Barack Obama ) , Meister finds himself in a battle with heavy-hitters such as current Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, former City of Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman and Chicago Urban League President Cheryle Jackson. In an interview with Windy City Times that ran in the Sept. 16 issue, Meister said that he felt "almost compelled to jump into this race. There are a number of good people who could have run; unfortunately, they didn't."
