Reaching farther than it has ever gone in the past, the state's gay-rights bill made it safely out of the Senate Rules Committee last week and has been assigned to the Executive Committee.
House Bill 101 passed the House, 60-55, on March 27, and observers have been holding their collective breath since then to see whether Senate President James "Pate" Philip ( R-Wood Dale ) would allow the bill to advance out of the Rules Committee.
While that danger has been sidestepped, those working closely on the bill are viewing its movement as a mixed blessing.
"That it got to committee is overcoming a hurdle," said Rick Garcia, political director of Equality Illinois. But, he added, "Our reaction is that it is not the committee we would prefer."
"My recollection is that of the eight Republicans ( on the Executive Committee ) , traditionally, we don't have supporters there," he said.
The executive committee's 13 members include eight Republican senators and five Democrats ( see list below ) . Republicans currently control the 59-member House, 32-27.
Sen. Carol Ronen ( D-Chicago ) , who has been credited with helping to shepherd the bill through the House, said she is hopeful about the measure's prospects even with the Senate's current makeup.
"In my opinion, the political climate all around us has shifted," she said. "The Republican leadership in the Senate is out of step ... with the world."
"The bill shouldn't be controversial," said Sen. Lisa Madigan ( D-Chicago ) . "Nobody disagrees with this in their heart."
A press release sent last week identifies Ronen, Madigan and Sen. John Cullerton ( D-Chicago ) as the bill's chief co-sponsors—news that caught EI's Garcia off-guard.
"I am stunned by this," he said. "We have been working with a broad range of people trying to be sure the bill is assigned to a favorable committee and that we have the right combination of lead sponsors. I am stunned as to why they would do this."
He pointed to the broad-based coalition of sponsors the bill had in the House, drawing its 30-plus supporters from the city, suburbs and downstate.
Of the Senate, he said, "the whole situation is fluid," he said, adding that more sponsors will likely be added in the coming days.
The Senate is currently in recess for spring break, and the session won't begin again in Springfield until April 17; that week would be the soonest the bill gets a hearing.
Garcia urged the community to call, visit or e-mail senators between now and then.
"We're working the Senate, and we're going to hope for the best," he said. "I am so happy that we have a lot of work to this month, because we could be over in that House or it could've failed in the House. I'm thrilled to death to have this opportunity."
House Bill 101 will add sexual orientation to the state's human-rights law. Similar legislation passed the House in 1993 but died in the Senate after Philip refused to let it out of the Rules Committee. The bill fell two votes short of approval in the House in 1999.
Differences this time around include a Democrat-controlled House and the endorsements of all of the state's constitutional officers—governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, secretary of state and comptroller.
"This bill is going to be signed by the governor," Garcia said. "It's only a matter of time."
Executive Committee members ( 8 Republicans, 5 Democrats ) : Sen. Dick Klemm ( R-Crystal Lake ) , chair, ( 815 ) 455-6330, Sen. Ed Petka ( R-Plainfield ) , vice chair, ( 815 ) 436-5577; Sen. Kirk Dillard ( R-Hinsdale ) , ( 630 ) 969-0990; Sen. Walter Dudycz ( R-Chicago ) ( 773 ) 774-7717; Sen. Doris Karpiel ( R-Carol Stream ) ( 630 ) 894-2008' Senate President James "Pate" Philip ( R-Wood Dale ) ( 630 ) 941-0094; Sen. Frank Watson ( R-Greenville ) ( 618 ) 594-4553; Sen. Stanley Weaver ( R-Urbana ) ( 217 ) 367-0009; Sen. Robert Molaro ( D-Chicago ) ( 773 ) 436-1212; Sen. Evelyn Bowles ( D-Edwardsville ) ( 618 ) 656-8422; Sen. Miguel del Valle ( D-Chicago ) ( 773 ) 292-0202; Sen. Vince Demuzio ( D-Carlinville ) ( 217 ) 854-4441; Senate Democratic Leader Emil Jones, Jr. ( D-Chicago ) ( 773 ) 995-7748
State of Illinois
92nd General Assembly
Senate Addresses by Name
SENATOR: Larry Bomke, 50-R
DISTRICT: 111 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
PHONE: 217-782-0228
CAPITOL: 111 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-0228
SENATOR: Evelyn Bowles, 56-D
DISTRICT: #4 Club Centre
Suite E, PO Box 248
Edwardsville, IL 62025
PHONE: 618-656-8422
CAPITOL: M103F Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-5247
SENATOR: Brad Burzynski, 35-R
DISTRICT: 505 DeKalb Avenue
PO Box 348Sycamore, IL 60178
PHONE: 815-895-6318
CAPITOL: 121C Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-1977
SENATOR: James F. Clayborne, 57-D
DISTRICT: 327 Missouri Avenue
Suite 422East St. Louis, IL 62201
PHONE: 618-875-1212
CAPITOL: 103C Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-5399
SENATOR: Dan Cronin, 39-R
DISTRICT: 105 East First Street
Elmhurst, IL 60126
PHONE: 630-941-0040
CAPITOL: 127 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-8107
SENATOR: John J. Cullerton, 6-D
DISTRICT: 1051 West Belmont
Chicago, IL 60657 PHONE: 773-883-0770
CAPITOL: 413 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-7260
SENATOR: Miguel del Valle, 2-D
DISTRICT: 4150 W. Armitage
Chicago, IL 60639 PHONE: 773-292-0202
CAPITOL: 309E Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-5652
SENATOR: James A. DeLeo, 10-D
DISTRICT: 6839 West Belmont
Chicago, IL 60634 PHONE: 773-237-2525
CAPITOL: 218 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-1035
SENATOR: Vince Demuzio, 49-D
DISTRICT: 140 Carlinville Plaza
Carlinville, IL 62626
PHONE: 217-854-4441
CAPITOL: 309D Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-8206
SENATOR: Kirk Dillard, 41-R
DISTRICT: Westmont Centre Suite 201
1 S. Cass Ave.Westmont, IL 60559
PHONE: 630-969-0990
CAPITOL: M115 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-8148
SENATOR: Laura Kent Donahue, 48-R
DISTRICT: 640 Maine Street, Quincy, IL 62301 PHONE: 217-224-0644
CAPITOL: 323 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-2479
SENATOR: Walter Dudycz, 7-R
DISTRICT: 6143 N. Northwest Highway
Chicago, IL 60631 PHONE: 773-774-7717
CAPITOL: M114 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-3650
SENATOR: Adeline Jay Geo-Karis, 31-R
DISTRICT: 2610 Sheridan Road
Suite 213, Zion, IL 60099
PHONE: 847-872-7500
CAPITOL: 323 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-7353
SENATOR: Debbie Halvorson, 40-D
DISTRICT: 241 West Joe Orr Road
Chicago Heights, IL 60411
PHONE: 708-756-0882
CAPITOL: 417C Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-7419
SENATOR: Carl E. Hawkinson, 47-R
DISTRICT: 4 Weinburg Arcade
Galesburg, IL 61401 PHONE: 309-343-8176
CAPITOL: 623 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-1942
SENATOR: Rickey R. Hendon, 5-D
DISTRICT: 3005 W. Madison
Chicago, IL 60624 PHONE: 773-265-8611
CAPITOL: 309F Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-6252
SENATOR: Denny Jacobs, 36-D
DISTRICT: 606 19th Street
Moline, IL 61265
PHONE: 309-797-0001
CAPITOL: M103C Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-5957
SENATOR: Emil Jones, 14-D
DISTRICT: 507 West 111th Street
Chicago, IL 60628
PHONE: 773-995-7748
CAPITOL: 309A Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-2728
SENATOR: Wendell Jones, 27-R
DISTRICT: 110 W. Northwest Highway
Palatine, IL 60067 PHONE: 847-776-1490
CAPITOL: 611C Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-4471
SENATOR: Doris Karpiel, 25-R
DISTRICT: 400 W Lake
Suite 220, Roselle, IL 60172
PHONE: 630-894-2008
CAPITOL: 123 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-5572
SENATOR: Dick Klemm, 32-R
DISTRICT: 3 West Crystal Lake Avenue
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
PHONE: 815-455-6330
CAPITOL: 124 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-8000
SENATOR: Chris Lauzen, 21-R
DISTRICT: 52 West Downers Place
Aurora, IL 60506 PHONE: 630-264-2334
CAPITOL: 613B Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-0052
SENATOR: Kimberly Lightford, 4-D
DISTRICT: 5943 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651 PHONE: 773-261-4400
CAPITOL: 311 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-8505
SENATOR: Terry Link, 30-D
DISTRICT: 425 Sheridan Road
Suite B, Highwood, IL 60040
PHONE: 847-266-1997
CAPITOL: 105A Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-8181
SENATOR: David Luechtefeld, 58-R
DISTRICT: 700 N. Front Street
PO Box 517, Okawville, IL 62271
PHONE: 618-243-9014
CAPITOL: M122 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-8137
SENATOR: Lisa Madigan, 17-D
DISTRICT: 2006 West Addison
Chicago, IL 60618
PHONE: 773-477-1740
CAPITOL: 105C Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-8191
SENATOR: Robert A. Madigan, 45-R
DISTRICT: 618 North Chicago
Lincoln, IL 62656
PHONE: 217-732-1323
CAPITOL: 119 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-6597
SENATOR: William F. Mahar Jr., 19-R
DISTRICT: 14700 Ravinia
Orland Park, IL 60462
PHONE: 708-349-1400
CAPITOL: 121A Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-9595
SENATOR: John W. Maitland Jr., 44-R
DISTRICT: 525 N. East Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
PHONE: 309-828-7733
CAPITOL: 627 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-6216
SENATOR: Robert S. Molaro, 12-D
DISTRICT: 2650 W. 51st Street
Chicago, IL 60632
PHONE: 773-436-1212
CAPITOL: M103A Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-5280
SENATOR: Antonio Munoz, 1-D
DISTRICT: 2021 W. 35th Street
Chicago, IL 60609
PHONE: 773-869-9050
CAPITOL: M103E Stratton Office Building
PHONE: 782-9415
SENATOR: Judith A. Myers, 53-R
DISTRICT: 809 Oak Street
Danville, IL 61832 PHONE: 217-443-1997
CAPITOL: M106 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-8899
SENATOR: Duane Noland, 51-R
DISTRICT: 101 S. Main Street
Suite LL2, Decatur, IL 62523
PHONE: 217-428-4068
CAPITOL: M120 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-8176
SENATOR: Barack Obama, 13-D
DISTRICT: 1741 East 71st Street
Chicago, IL 60649
PHONE: 773-363-1996
CAPITOL: 105B Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-5338
SENATOR: William L. O'Daniel, 54-D
DISTRICT: 2929 Broadway
Mt. Vernon, IL 62864
PHONE: 618-242-7388
CAPITOL: 103A Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-5304
SENATOR: Patrick J. O'Malley, 18-R
DISTRICT: 12314 S. 86th Avenue
Palos Park, IL 60464 PHONE: 708-923-1818
CAPITOL: 129 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-5145
SENATOR: Kathleen Parker, 29-R
DISTRICT: 191 Waukegan Road
Suite 204, Northfield, IL 60093
PHONE: 847-441-0077
CAPITOL: M118 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-2119
SENATOR: William E. Peterson, 26-R
DISTRICT: 3050 North Main Street
Prairie View, IL 60069
PHONE: 847-634-6060
CAPITOL: 307 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-8010
SENATOR: Edward Petka, 42-R
DISTRICT: 501 N. Division, PO Box 188
Plainfield, IL 60544
PHONE: 815-436-5577
CAPITOL: 122 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-0422
SENATOR: James "Pate" Philip, 23-R
DISTRICT: 50 East Oak Street Suite 250
Addison, IL 60101
PHONE: 630-941-0094
CAPITOL: 327 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-3840
SENATOR: Christine Radogno, 24-R
DISTRICT: 521 S. LaGrange Road, Suite104
LaGrange, IL 60525
PHONE: 708-354-6700
CAPITOL: M121 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-9407
SENATOR: Steven J. Rauschenberger, 33-R
DISTRICT: 1112 South Street
Elgin, IL 60123
PHONE: 847-622-1049
CAPITOL: 615A Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-7746
SENATOR: Carol Ronen, 9-D
DISTRICT: 5533 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640
PHONE: 773-769-1717
CAPITOL: 105E Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-8492
SENATOR: Peter Roskam, 20-R
DISTRICT: 500 Pennsylvania Avenue
Glen Ellyn, IL. 60137
PHONE: 630-790-1709
CAPITOL: 121B Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-8022
SENATOR: George Shadid, 46-D
DISTRICT: 410 Court Street
Pekin, IL 61554 PHONE: 309-353-6276
CAPITOL: 309H Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-8250
SENATOR: William Shaw, 15-D
DISTRICT: 13 West 144th Street
Riverdale, IL 60827
PHONE: 708-849-8800
CAPITOL: 103D Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-8066
SENATOR: Todd Sieben, 37-R
DISTRICT: 137 S. State Street
Geneseo, IL 61254
PHONE: 309-944-5681
CAPITOL: 307 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-0180
SENATOR: Ira Silverstein, 8-D
DISTRICT: 6199 N Lincoln Avenue
2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60659
PHONE: 773-743-5015
CAPITOL: 105D Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-5500
SENATOR: Margaret Smith, 3-D
DISTRICT: 1307 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605
PHONE: 312-461-1908
CAPITOL: 103B Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-5966
SENATOR: Dave Sullivan, 28-R
DISTRICT: 800 E. NW Hghwy, Suite 102
Mt. Prospect, IL 60056
PHONE: 847-670-0280
CAPITOL: M108 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-3875
SENATOR: Dave Syverson, 34-R
DISTRICT: 200 S. Wyman, Suite 302
Rockford, IL 61101
PHONE: 815-987-7555
CAPITOL: M113 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-5413
SENATOR: Donne E. Trotter, 16-D
DISTRICT: 8704 S. Constance Avenue
Chicago, IL 60617
PHONE: 773-933-7715
CAPITOL: 417A Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-3201
SENATOR: Louis Viverito, 11-D
DISTRICT: 6215 W. 79th Street, Suite 1A
Burbank, IL 60459
PHONE: 708-430-2510
CAPITOL: M103D Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-0054
SENATOR: Lawrence M. Walsh, 43-D
DISTRICT: 1100 Plainfield Road
Joliet, IL 60435
PHONE: 815-722-4200
CAPITOL: 309G Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-8800
SENATOR: Thomas Walsh, 22-R
DISTRICT: 10544 W. Cermak Road, Westchester, IL 60154
PHONE: 708-531-0390
CAPITOL: 118 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-2015
SENATOR: Frank Watson, 55-R
DISTRICT: 890 Franklin Street
Carlyle, IL 62231
PHONE: 618-594-4553
CAPITOL: 321 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-5755
SENATOR: Stanley B. Weaver, 52-R
DISTRICT: 1717 Philo Road, Suite 17B, Urbana, IL 61802
PHONE: 217-367-0009
CAPITOL: 329 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-6904
SENATOR: Patrick D. Welch, 38-D
DISTRICT: 726 First Street
LaSalle, IL 61301
PHONE: 815-223-3747
CAPITOL: 218 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-8287
SENATOR: Larry Woolard, 59-D
DISTRICT: 308B W. Plaza Drive
Carterville, IL 62918
PHONE: 618-985-5559
CAPITOL: 311 Capitol Building
PHONE: 782-5509
