The Illinois nondiscrimination bill ( SB101 ) may come up for a vote before the end of the Illinois General Assembly's spring session.
'We are very close to having the necessary votes in the senate to add the category sexual orientation to the Illinois Human Rights Act. Your help is needed,' said Equality Illinois in an appeal to activists.
Call or fax your state senator. If you don't know who your senator is call ( 773 ) 244-3371 or toll-free 888-434-7888 or go to www.elections.state.il.us/dis/pages/DLSAddresscrit.asp
EI also urges calls to the Republican leader of the Senate: Sen. Frank Watson, R-Carlyle, ( 217 ) 782-5755, fax ( 217 ) 782-7818.
Also call the following Senators: Sen. Pamela Althoff, R-Crystal Lake, ( 815 ) 455-6330, ( 815 ) 455-8284 Fax; Sen. Maggie Crotty, D-Oak Forest, ( 708 ) 687-9696, ( 708 ) 687-9801 Fax; Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Westmont, ( 630 ) 969-0990, ( 708 ) 969-1007 Fax; Sen. Denny Jacobs, D-Moline, ( 309 ) 797-0001, ( 309 ) 797-0003 Fax; Sen. Edward Maloney, D-Chicago, ( 773 ) 881-4180, ( 773 ) 881-4243 Fax; Sen. James Meeks, D-Calumet City, ( 708 ) 862-1515, ( 708 ) 862-4745 Fax; Sen. Louis Viverito, D-Burbank, ( 708 ) 430-2510, ( 708 ) 430-2610 Fax.
Meanwhile, the fight to get Meeks on board went national last week, as the May 22 O'Reilly Factor on FOX cable included a short segment on the debate. Meeks is being pressured by his mentors at Operation PUSH, as well as by the Black gay Church of the Open Door and even Sun-Times columnist Laura Washington, to back the gay bill.
Washington's May 12 column on the issue sparked the O'Reilly Factor appearance. ( www.suntimes.com/output/washington/cst-edt-laura12.html ) .
Sen. Meeks still serves as pastor of Salem Baptist Church on the far South Side. Washington reports that he has said that the bible says that gays should not marry or have sex. He has spoken about not wanting sissies in his church and that the women of his church should protect their men from the sissies, Washington reported.
'What he does in his church and how he interpret the bible is his business, but he is now an elected official,' Washington said. 'He has been charged with upholding the laws of the state and to at least consider new laws.'
Washington said on the O'Reilly Factor that as a legislator, Meeks should not let his religious views affect his actions. She said that gay activists and those, like herself, who care about civil rights expect better of a legislator. O'Reilly said it is not untrue that the bible speaks against homosexuality so that can't be challenged and that most legislators do advance their agendas and beliefs. He said that Meeks is just speaking freely, not legislating. 'Just because you are an elected official does not mean that you can't speak out on your personal beliefs. He's not legislating that,' he said.
