Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn got a push for election from the Equality Illinois Political Action Committee ( EQIL-PAC ) , an organization that advocates equitable rights for LGBT people, Aug. 8 during this year's 29th annual Northalsted Market Days event, the largest street fair in the Midwest.
Quinn, whose public approval ratings have sagged in recent months, used the opportunity to ramp up support for election. He took the stage on Halsted and Brompton before thousands of festivalgoers, urging them to "Get out the Vote" as well as to drawing distinctions between himself and his Republican opponent, state Sen. Bill Brady. The governor was joined by a bevy of political supporters, including state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz; Mike McRaith, director of the Illinois Dept. of Insurance ( one of three openly gay agency director appointees in Quinn's administration ) ; Brent Adams, secretary of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation; and Rick Garcia, director of public policy for Equality Illinois.
EQIL-PAC's endorsement of Quinn and its message ( "Stop Bill Brady" ) underscore the stark differences between the two gubernatorial candidates' positions on issues concerning the LGBT community.
"For the gay community, there's simply no choice. Brady is decidedly against fair treatment and decency towards us. Governor Quinn, on the other hand, publically advocates equality. It's that simple," Garcia told Windy City Times.
Brady, the former state rep. and unsuccessful candidate for the GOP nomination for governor in 2006, is described as a "hard right" candidate by gay-rights advocates and many other Democrats. Not surprisingly, he is against civil unions and marriage equality for LGBT people. Yet, what is of greater concern to people like Garcia are Brady's proactive positions on ensuring the safetyor lack thereofof LGBT people.
"It's not like we're dealing with a moderate candidate. Bill Brady doesn't even know where the middle is! There are plenty of Republicans, like Judy Barr Topinka, who stand up for equitable treatment of LGBT citizens. But Brady wants to legislate discrimination. He's against hate crimes legislation that protects gay people from vicious discrimination. He even supports killing state-run programs aimed at saving the lives of people with HIV/AIDS and certain cancers," Garcia said.
On Feb. 10, 2010, Brady sponsored a bill that would undo provisions of the Illinois Human Rights Actnamely, to allow discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations against LGBT people. He has also proposed several amendments to the state Constitution to ban civil unions.
Because of these positions, Quinn remains the favored candidate for many LGBT individuals. In June, he signed landmark legislation aimed at preventing bullying and violence in schools, which included protections for gay youth. He also supports same-sex civil unions and equal protections for gay people.
Elections for governor will take place Nov. 2. For more information, visit www.elections.il.gov .