Windy City Times recently asked various Illinois LGBT individuals what political races they are following or how they plan on voting. Here is what they had to say:
—AIDS Foundation of Chicago President/CEO John Peller: "Nothing is more important to the future LGBT community and people with or at risk of HIV than who occupies the governor's mansion. I'm supporting Gov. Quinn, who implemented the Affordable Care Act and covered tens of thousands of people who are LGBT or have HIV, prioritized funding for HIV prevention and care, and supported health care coverage for trans people.
"There are hundreds of actions, big and small, that the Illinois governor can take that will decide the future of our community, and I am confident that Gov. Quinn will only build on his strong record. These views are my own and do not represent those of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago."
—Writer Yvonne Zipter: "I'm not a political junkie, but I do care deeply about what happens to our city, state and country, and so there are a few races I'm very invested in. [U.S. Sen.] Dick Durbin has been a steadfast advocate for Illinois and for LGBT rights, as is true for Gov. Quinn. In the race for state treasurer, I am torn between Judy Barr Topinka and Sheila Simon [in the state comptroller's race], as both are down-to-earth and solidly good candidates, although I will likely vote for Topinka because of her track record."
—Attorney John Litchfield: "I am closely following the race for Illinois governor. With the state's finances in disarray and the new pension reform law in jeopardy, the stakes are high for the fiscal solvency of the state and the person at the top of the ticket will have to grapple with harsh realities. The lure of a multimillionaire businessman to fix the state's problems might be strong, but how does he expect to work with a Democratic legislature? Will staying mostly silent on social issues make people forget that the sitting governor signed the state's marriage-equality bill, or that Bruce Rauner said he would have vetoed it? These are the issues voters are grappling with Nov. 4.
"Judicial races: I always follow the ratings of the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screenings, and especially those of the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago. Those ratings are available at www.voteforjudges.org [as well as Windy City Times] and you can take them with you into the polling place.
"Other races to watch include treasurer. In a close matchup, will voters choose to keep a Republican in that office, or go for the popular ( and TALL ) downstate senator who is out in front on important family issues like marriage quality?"
—Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois: "This is one election that's going to be a nail-biter until the very end. I'm cautiously optimistic about most of the pro-equality candidates, but we're leaving no stone unturned in getting out the vote for Gov. Quinn, state Sen. Andy Manar, state Reps. Sam Yingling and Mike Smiddy, and others.
"I'm also rooting for our LGBT-supportive first-term members of Congress, like Brad Schneider, who are in very tight elections. I'm giving all I can, and I know that every dollar that we give to re-elect our supporters right now is better than spending 10 dollars fighting our opponents if we let them win."
—Kim Hunt, executive director of Affinity Community Services: "In June 2013, my high school civics lessons came into full focus. One day, the Supreme Court took the heart out of the Defense of Marriage Act and, the following day, did the same thing with the Voting Rights Act. Presidents nominate Supreme Court judges and the Senate approves them. Voting matters.
"There's a lot at stake during this midterm election. I'll be watching races across the country to see what happens with the Senate. Locally, I'm watching the governor's race and the ballot measures, particularly proposed constitutional amendments to protect the right to vote and to strengthen crime victims' rights."
—Anthony Martinez, executive director of The Civil Rights Agenda: "The polling in the governor's race is very tight. However, latest polling indicates that the governor is pulling ahead. We have to keep pushing to ensure his victory.
"I am also supporting state Rep. Sam Yingling, and he is in a very contentious race. He is in a moderate/leaning Republican district and his opponent is funded by the Koch brothers. Yingling is one of only three LGBT legislators in Springfield, and we cannot afford to lose that representation. I am also following close races that affect our marriage equality supporters like state Rep. Mike Smiddy, Marty Moylan and Carol Sente. Each of those folks and many others voted for marriage equality, and we must ensure they win their races."
—Art Smith, chef: "I come from a place where 'fried chicken doesn't takes no sides' due to our restaurants across America, but as a married gay American with four kids I must make a stance on what is right.
"We must face those ( namely, Christian ultraconservative groups ) that don't see us as equal and recognize marriage equality and don't see us as parents to adopt the many American children who need homes.
"I have very influential Republican friends and clients for years, and we have supported their community charities. Some of them have come to my side and some have not. Meghan McCain, the outspoken daughter of U.S. Sen. John McCain, supports equality, but her dad doesn't. The old politicians need to make way for the young.
"The issue with American politics is term limits. Many of our older politicians which many conservatives find comfort in "they strong hold our government with big corporate monies.
"Let's not take sides. Let's take the side of right and what protect all citizens' rights across the great USA."
—Rick Garcia, of the Cook County sheriff's department: "One of the most important races the LGBT community is facing on many levels is the race for governor—and the choice could not be clearer.
"Gov. Pat Quinn not only signed the equal marriage bill but he diligently worked for its passage. He frequently asked us what House or Senate members were wavering and who should he talk to. He always followed through. His opponent in the last election vowed to veto the bill if it passed. Without Gov. Quinn, we would still be waiting for marriage equality in Illinois.
"The state is in a financial mess. We have a dysfunctional legislature, but Gov. Quinn inherited all that. He has never been an insider. He has never been supported or even liked by the party elites. He has built his career on doing what he thought was right.
"We need someone to stand up for all Illinoisans and not just those with means. We need someone who supports a fair tax code and not penalize the middle class to lower the taxes of the wealthy. We need someone who supports public education and not someone who prefers privatized charter schools that enrich his buddies."
—Terry Cosgrove, CEO of Personal PAC: "The race for governor is, by far, the most important race at the state level. Gov. Quinn has not been just a leader—but a tireless, articulate, brave and forceful advocate for equality and fairness.
"We must not allow anyone to sit out this critical election. If each of us will think of just one, two or three people who we are unsure will vote, and make sure to take them with us to vote early, or follow them to their polling place on election day, we will succeed in re-electing the most LGBT- and women-friendly governor in the entire United States. We owe it to ourselves and the next generation to do nothing less."
—Activist Michael O'Connor: "Mark Twain once stated, 'Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it.'' I, like many, will be watching election results to see if "smart people or imbeciles who really mean it" will be running this state and this country!
"I'll be watching to see if hedge-fund billionaires and venture capitalist millionaires running for public offices across this state and country continue to be acceptable to voters. Equally important, I'll be watching U.S. Senate races to see if newly formed voter's alliances among Blacks and browns in Kansas, Arkansas and several other states work against Republicans who want and need to gain six additional seats to control the U.S. Senate."
