Openly gay state Rep. Larry McKeon ( D-34th ) has formed an exploratory committee to research a possible run for state senator in 2002."It appears very likely that state Senator Lisa Madigan ( D-17th ) will be running for state attorney general, and I am strongly considering running for her open seat," McKeon said.
McKeon's run as an openly gay candidate would mark a first for Illinois; he was elected as the state's first openly gay state representative in 1996.
With approximately 208,000 residents and portions of nine wards, Madigan's senate district encompasses all of McKeon's district and all of the 33rd.
Madigan is not expected to announce her intentions until after the current legislative session is over, and McKeon said he won't make a decision until she does.
More than 30 people have given McKeon their support as he forms his exploratory committee, he said, and he is hoping to garner about 100 supporters by the time he finishes.
In other news, McKeon reported that House Bill 101, which would add sexual orientation to the state's Human Rights Act, picked up two more votes last week.
The bill needs 60 votes to pass, and activists estimate that it needs 62 or 63 yes votes to survive a reading.
It will likely be called in the next two or three weeks, McKeon said.