Tag Archives: Illinois

The co-sponsor of today’s rally is the Illinois Family Institute, an SPLC-certified hate group and the former home of Porno Pete. Join Illinois families from all over the state on Wednesday, February 20th, to stand for natural marriage and lobby your state rep to vote NO on same-sex marriage. Pack your church vans, buses and cars and join us at …

Crain’s Business reports a good polling result in Illinois: The survey of 600 adults found that 50 percent support the gay-marriage bill that cleared the state Senate last week and now awaits action in the House. That’s considerably more than the 29 percent who oppose it, with 20 percent saying they don’t know or have mixed feelings on the matter. …

From the Chicago Tribune: Allowing same-sex couples to wed under the law would not devalue traditional marriage. It would affirm the bedrock values that underlie and sustain such unions. Marriage promotes stable families, safeguards the interests of children and rewards committed relationships. Recognizing same-sex marriages demonstrates respect for personal freedoms and keeps government out of the intimate affairs of citizens. …

Here are some of the heroes of yesterday’s debate in the Illinois Senate. There were really some amazing speeches.

“The same-sex marriage bill passed by the Illinois Senate today would violate the right of Illinois churches and religious organizations to follow their faith free of government oppression,. It would also force Illinois business owners to operate in fear of being shut down, because of their conscientious objections to same-sex marriage. Why are Illinois politicians working to trample the rights …

It doesn’t quite rhyme, but we dig you, Mayor Emanuel.  

“To redefine marriage is discriminatory towards those who hold the sincerely held religious belief that it is a sacred institution between a man & a woman.” – Illinois GOP state Sen. Kyle McCarter, posting on his Facebook page after his long, rambling denouncement of same-sex marriage on the chamber floor. McCarter’s Wikipedia entry notes that he and his wife are …

UPDATE: The debate is underway and the anti-gay Christian crowd is making their usual bigoted arguments. UPDATE II: The bill has PASSED by a vote of 34-21! Onward to the Illinois House!

As the same-sex marriage bill winds its way through the Illinois legislature, two lawsuits to overturn the state ban are continuing. Today the anti-gay Thomas More Society lost their bid to squash the cases.  Via press release from Lambda Legal: Today the Circuit Court of Cook County, Chancery Division denied a motion to stay the cases brought by Lambda Legal …

Speaking at the Equality Illinois gala this weekend, Gov. Pat Quinn vowed the full passage of marriage equality. The Illinois Senate, as promised by its president, will vote on their bill on Thursday. The overwhelming mood at the gala was one of celebration—for Equality Illinois, but also for the successful passing of the gay marriage bill in the Senate Executive …

Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) resigned from Congress three months ago amid corruption accusations and after being treated for depression. NBC News reports today that he has signed a plea deal that may result in prison time. Jackson’s case is being handled by the US Attorney’s office in Washington DC. While no public announcement is expected today, those with …

“Marriage equality is coming to Illinois. Now, it’s time to take the next step in achieving full equality.  Let’s pass this bill for marriage equality and let’s do it now.  Our Illinois is not a land of discrimination.” – Gov. Pat Quinn, speaking today in his State Of The State address to the Illinois legislature. The marriage equality bill is …

Here comes Valentine’s Day!

The Illinois Senate Executive Committee will today consider its marriage equality bill. Easy passage is expected. Last week Senate President John Cullerton promised that the full chamber will consider the bill on Valentine’s Day.  

In a move that has surely delighted local activists, the president of the Illinois state Senate has selected Valentine’s Day for the vote on marriage equality. However, the bill must first pass out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) wants Feb. 14 to be the day his legislative chamber votes to legalize gay marriages in Illinois. …

Allegedly heterosexual Rep. Aaron Schock, who is reportedly planning a run for governor of Illinois, today delivered a mumbling word salad when asked about same-sex marriage. (Tipped by JMG reader Andy)

The Illinois Family Institute, an SPLC-certified hate group and the former home of Peter LaBarbera, hosted 100 local pastors last week for a stop-the-gays brainstorming session. Among the speakers was “ex-gay” nutter Linda Jernigan, who told the audience that most gays are alcoholics and drug addicts. Because otherwise how could we stomach all that repulsive gay sex?

Clip description: “Major milestones this week, with a vote in Rhode Island and hearings in Colorado. A setback in Virginia, but polling shows the state may soon turn around. Plus, support from an unexpected source in an unexpected state.”

Remember the priest who called 911 for help getting out of his handcuffs and mouth gag?  Today that priest’s boss, Diocese of Springfield Bishop Thomas Paprocki (left), is telling the press that that there was “no sexual component” to the incident because the priest had been alone at the time. Uh-huh. According to Paprocki, “self-bondage” was merely the priest’s way …