$53,000 victory in hate-crime suit
A $53,000 settlement has been reached in a case of a man accusing another of attacking him based on his sexual orientation. On Dec. 3, Jerry Jankowski finalized a settlement with Thomas Ward. Ward agreed to pay in exchange for Jankowski's agreement to drop his Circuit Court of Cook County lawsuit, filed under the Illinois Hate Crimes Act.
According to Jankowski, on June 16, 1998, he was walking in the 3600 block of North Racine when he noticed Ward yelling at two women. Jankowski alleged that he asked the women if they needed help; when they said no he walked away. Then, he claims, Ward began to shout at him, "Faggot, come back here!" Ward allegedly began hitting him while yelling anti-gay comments.
Ward was acquitted of criminal charges, and Jankowski filed a civil suit. The Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the firm of Katten Muchin Zavis represented Jankowski pro bono.
RYAN CUTS DRUG FUNDING FOR PWAs
Illinois Gov. George Ryan has moved forward with plans for a severe funding cut in the state's AIDS Drug Assistance Program ( ADAP ) . He ordered the Illinois Department of Public Health to not spend $3 million in funding earmarked for the program this fiscal year. ADAP provides medication to more than 2,700 low-income, HIV-positive people each month.
The AIDS Foundation of Chicago said this is the first time AIDS funding has been cut in the state. IDPH officials said they will use federal funds temporarily to fill the gap.
AFC urges calls to Gov. Ryan, ( 217 ) 782-6830.
More Salvation protests
A coalition of groups protesting the anti-gay policies of the Salvation Army are again picketing, this time in front of Chicago's Hancock Plaza, 2 p.m. Dec. 16.
A connection with the United Way of Greater Chicago has just come to light, reports Chicago Anti-Bashing Network. "Our campaign to get people to stop their contributions to United Way because of their support to the Boy Scouts continues; now we have this new reason: their support to the Salvation Army," CABN said.
CABN, Glenview PFLAG and the MCC have also contacted the Dominicks and Jewel regional managers and will deliver letters to store managers asking them to put the "bellringers of bias" off their property.
School bias victory
A Michigan arbitrator has ordered a local school district to apologize for misconduct against two gay teachers whose gay history month displays promoted safety and respect in their school, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund reports.
The arbitrator found the district violated its union contract, as well as one teacher's constitutional right of free speech. It also found anti-gay bias.
Plymouth-Canton Community School teachers Mike Chiumento and Tom Salbenblatt had challenged their district's order that they dismantle displays that marked gay and lesbian historical contributions and addressed anti-gay harassment.