A historic measure that gives gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people new protection in Illinois became reality when it passed the state Senate 30-27 on Jan. 10 and the Illinois House of Representatives 65-51 on Jan. 11.
The passages mean that 'sexual orientation' will be added to the Illinois Human Rights Act and prohibit discrimination against GLBTs regarding everything from housing to employment to getting credit.
The votes came on the legislature's last day. If either the House or Senate had killed the bill, supporters would have had to start from scratch with the new legislature that was sworn in Jan. 12. When Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who already said he supports the bill, signs the legislation, Illinois will become only the 15th state to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The bill defines sexual orientation as a person's 'actual or supposed heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality or gender identity.' By including gender identity within that definition, transgender individuals are expected to be covered by the law.
The Senate
The proposal, Senate Bill 3186 ( SB3186 ) , had never passed the Senate. Supporters of the bill got the minimum 30 votes they needed partially through support from two lame-duck Democrats and three Republicans.
Aimee Pine, director of operations for the gay civil-rights organization Equality Illinois, was ecstatic at the bill's passage. She told Windy City Times that it was 'unbelievable' that the measure passed the Senate.
Opponents of the measure said the bill was vague and noted the possibilities of lawsuits and the potential for legalized gay marriages. The bill won support from two outgoing Democrats, Sen. Lawrence Walsh, D-Elwood; and Sen. Patrick Welch, D-Peru. Republicans who supported it included Sen. Pamela Althoff, R-McHenry; Sen. Christine Radogno, R-La Grange; and Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Pontiac.
For Radogno, voting for the bill was not a hard decision to reach. She told Windy City Times that she 'thought it was the right thing to do. The majority of people support [ no discrimination against gays ] . This was a position I held even when I was a local elected official. The decision wasn't difficult at all.'
State Sen. James Meeks ( an Independent from Calumet City ) , pastor of Salem Baptist Church, was lobbied intensely by organizations such as Equality Illinois and by the Black LGBT community to vote for the bill's passage. However, Meeks voted against the measure. Democrats who voted against the bill included Sen. Deanna Demuzio, D-Carlinville; Sen. William Haine, D-Alton; Sen. Edward Maloney, D-Chicago; and Sen. John Sullivan, D-Quincy.
There was not one vote to spare.
The House
The final result for SB3186 in the House was a five-vote cushion over the minimum number of votes needed for the measure to pass. Among the Democrats who voted against the bill were Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion; Rep. John D'Amico, D-Chicago; and Rep. Kevin McCarthy, D-Orland Park. Conversely, some of the Republicans who supported the measure included Rep. Beth Coulson, R-Glenview; Rep. Joe Dunn, R-Naperville, and Rep. Angelo Saviano, R-River Grove.
The History
The passage of a gay bill in Illinois may hold added significance nationally, coming after a year of setbacks for the gay movement across the country. In the Nov. 2 elections, 11 states passed bans on gay marriage, and more states are expected to do so in the coming election cycles.
Original work on a state gay bill started in the 1970s, with lobbying by the Illinois Gay and Lesbian Task Force. The Illinois Federation for Human Rights ( now known as Equality Illinois ) took up the lobbying effort for a state bill in the early 1990s. The group was founded by some of the same activists who successfully spearheaded the passage of a gay-rights bill in Chicago in 1988.
When Democrats won control of the governorship and both the state House and Senate in 2002, there were high hopes a state gay-rights bill would be a slam dunk. However, intense lobbying was still needed, and it took two more years for the bill to work its way through the tough Senate chambers.
The Reactions
Rick Garcia, political director of Equality Illinois, told Windy City Times after the House vote Tuesday that he was thrilled beyond words. 'Part of me never thought I'd see the day when this would become a reality,' he said. When asked what the victory means, Garcia replied that the meaning is threefold: 'First, it means that the Illinois General Assembly has gone on record that all Illinoisans are equal citizens under the eyes of the law. Second, it gives people recourse if they're discriminated against. Third, it's a preventative measure that will stop people from discriminating at all.'
When questioned where the passages leave Equality Illinois, Garcia had a ready response: 'it leaves us the same place we've always been: fighting for the civil rights of GLBT individuals and making sure that everyone is treated fairly under the law.'
State Sen. Carol Ronen, the lead sponsor of the bill in the Senate, told Windy City Times that she was absolutely 'elated that the Senate has finally passed this very important bill.' She added that it shouldn't take so long to establish people's basic rights
Andy Thayer of the Gay Liberation Network ( formerly known as the Chicago Anti-Bashing Network ) echoed Ronen's thoughts, stating how sad it was 'that it took about three decades to get some basic rights.' Thayer also said that the victory is just the 'first step toward full equality, including marriage rights. This is all about GLBT people being treated as full human beings by the government.'
Deb Mell, a leading activist and sister-in-law of Gov. Blagojevich, reflected on personal satisfaction: 'For me, just to be able to look at a formal piece of paper and see that 'sexual orientation' is one of the things that people can't discriminate against—it's just wonderful.' When asked if Blagojevich's signing of the bill makes it all the more special, Mell's response to Windy City Times was 'Absolutely. To know that Rod supports this bill and plans on signing it is great.' However, she was quick to not take credit for the historic moment. After being congratulated, she said that the people who deserve congratulations are individuals such as Garcia, Ronen, and openly gay Rep. Larry McKeon, who fought for years to reach this milestone.
The Signing
Blagojevich has pledged to sign the bill into law. According to Ronen, the bill should arrive at his desk 'in about a week and a half. Then, we'll work with him to put it through in a celebratory manner.'
Underscoring Blagojevich's support of the measure, Ronen said 'the governor is looking forward to putting his name on the bill.'