JONES SIGNS ON TO ILLINOIS BILL
Illinois Senate Democratic leader Emil Jones ( D-Chicago ) has signed on as the lead sponsor of the state's gay-rights bill, replacing Sen. John Cullerton ( D-Chicago ) .
"We're very happy about that," said Rick Garcia, political director of Equality Illinois. "It sends all the right messages."
House Bill 101, which would add sexual orientation to the state's Human Rights Act, passed the House 60-55 late last month. Analysts have predicted the bill will face an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled Senate, where it was recently sent to the Executive Committee.
That the bill even made it to committee has been viewed as a victory, given the demise of similar legislation in the Rules Committee in 1993.
Jones is one of five Democrats in the Executive Committee, where Republicans hold an 8-member majority.
"We're thankful to Sen. Cullerton for picking up the bill and protecting it for us," Garcia said. "We're very happy about him being a team player."
Lobbyists hope that with Jones on board as lead sponsor, members of the Democratic Party will be more likely to follow his lead and support the bill.
Garcia predicted that other sponsors will sign on this week and that a hearing could be held in mid-May. He also urged members of the community to contact their senators, particularly members of the Executive Committee.
Conference to include seminar on lesbian health
The American College of OB/GYN will hold a clinical seminar on lesbian health at its annual meeting. The panel will be held at 2 p.m. April 30. For more information, visit www.acog.org .
Sigler memorial
Columbia College hosts a memorial service for Hollis Sigler Sat., April 21. This prominent artist died the end of March. Starts 2 p.m., Getz Theater, 72 E. 11th.
Nasim to read
Ifti Nasim will read from his poetry collection Myrmecophile at Barnes and Noble at 2 p.m., Sat., April 21, at Barnes and Noble, 659 W. Diversey, Chicago.