1.) Rod: 100% Record on Gays; 2.) Madigan: A History of Gay Support

The Windy City Times ^ | Oct. 30, 2002 | 1.) TRACY BAIM 2.) TRACY BAIM & ALEXIS MAISLENALEXIS MAISLEN

[aruanan]

My title: But How Would This Play in Peoria?

When I went over to the bookstore to get coffee in preparation for many hours ahead tonight on the microscope, I glanced across the rack of newspapers and saw a picture of the two IL Democrat candidates for governor and attorney general. They were on the front page of The Windy City Times, a gay/lesbian newspaper.

From the story on Rod, Rod: 100% Record on Gays:

For progressive groups of all kinds, from Equality Illinois and HRC and Personal PAC and NOW, Blagojevich is their man for governor. He also scored 14 of 16 correct answers on the Windy City Times questionnaire, while Ryan's campaign did not return the form. And finally, Blagojevich has also attended events in the community, including GLBT benefits for his campaign bid. During the primary season, Blagojevich sat down with Windy City Times for a lengthy interview. This busy general election season, Blagojevich called WCT the day after his contentious Oct. 24 televised debate to discuss the final stretch of his quest for the governor's mansion.

AND

"I support a woman's right to choose, [Ryan] would take it away even in cases of rape and incest," Blagojevich said.

"On gay rights ... on civil rights, I have a very strong record in Congress and in the state house. I support domestic-partner agreements."

Blagojevich said he also wants to extend same-sex partner benefits to state employees, similar to what Chicago and Cook County governments now provide. He said he is pursuing whether this could be done with an executive order, or if it would need to be done legislatively.

If Democrats control the state House and Senate, "We would be able to pass partner benefits, and state Rep. Larry McKeon's gay-rights bill as well. I think that can happen immediately if the Democrats control the House and Senate."

From the piece about Lisa Madigan, Madigan: A History of Gay Support:

A solid pro-gay, pro-choice progressive Democrat, she is facing off against a conservative opponent, Republican Joe Birkett, in the general election.

AND

Growing up in the Madigan household, Madigan and her father argued about the abortion issue, but the younger Madigan always solidly supported the progressive side on choice issues. In the Senate, despite facing a backlash from the Republican Party and Senate President Pate Philip, from DuPage County, she solidly advocated for gay-rights bill HB 101, even though she never had an opportunity to vote on it because it was always blocked in the Senate. Her vote did help strike down a bill that would have given preference to heterosexuals when adopting children from the Department of Children and Family Services.

AND

Republican Joe Birkett, who has no voting record to judge, has stated his opposition to the state gay-rights bill, and he has mostly shied away from the issue. In fact, an odd situation occurred this past summer, when it was reported that he marched in the Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade. In fact, he did not march and made sure downstate voters knew this. What actually happened was that he attended an Equality Illinois pre-parade reception. Madigan did march in the parade. Having grown up in the heart of Lakeview, Madigan said she was attending pride parades since she was young--and has always known and supported GLBT people.

Many supporters of Democrats during this election cycle have pointed out the importance of taking the Senate majority away from Republicans. While moderate Republicans have supported gay rights and women's choice issues, party leaders such as Senate President Pate Philip have blocked any attempt at even a vote on such issues as gay rights.

"Over the last 10 years, progressive legislation makes it through the House and gets to the Senate and then gets trapped in the Rules Committee. The Republicans of DuPage County don't let bills get on to the floor for a vote. They don't even allow hearings," Madigan said. "The reality is, when the Senate changes hands, this will no longer be a problem. We will have the opportunity to have a meaningful debate."

Madigan, as a strong leader in the Democratic Party, is hoping for a sweep of statewide offices, in addition to a majority of Democrats in the House and Senate.

(emphasis added)

[aruanan]

If you know people in Illinois who are likely to vote Democrat but who wouldn't have seen these stories being downstate or in Peoria and you have their email addresses, you could send them these links and let them read what their vote will mean or what staying home on election day rather than voting Republican will mean if they don't actually vote against folks like Blagojevich and Madigan.

[Torie]

Focusing on sexual preference issues is poison to Republicans, particularly in a state like Illinois. It is at once execrable and stupid.

[RLK]

This is part of what I've been saying about politics and politics on the national level. There emphasis on gays, lesbians, and the countercultural. I saw a negative in a Maryland race in which Erlich was raked over the coals for being anti-homosexual, anti abortion and so forth. hat about areas relating to normal people? What about such things as the economy? It's no wonder people don't vote.

[aruanan]

Focusing on sexual preference issues is poison to Republicans, particularly in a state like Illinois. It is at once execrable and stupid.

So is that why the Democrats do it? If it is execrable and stupid to call attention to it, then you're saying that to keep silent about it is both honorable and wise?

[Torie]

It is a mix of political strategy and ethics. One is a political call, one is a call about values. Dems are touching very gingerly that a GOP senate candidate might be gay. My opinion of that is the same. If this matter is pushed too much, the GOP will cease to be an effective political force in much of the country. It will also cease to be anything remotely ethical. That is my opinion.