Posted: January 19, 2003

Gay Rights Bill Introduced In Illinois Senate

Springfiled, Illinois- A bill banning discrimination based on sexual orientation has been introduced in the Illinois Senate by State Senator Carol Ronen (D-Edgewater). Gay rights activists are optimistic that the bill will pass the Illinois legislature this year.

"With the Illinois Senate now controlled by Democrats, this is the best opportunity we have had to pass this civil rights legislation," said Ronen. "I am proud to be the chief sponsor of the bill and to be a part of bringing equality and fairness to the whole State of Illinois."

Senator John Cullerton (D-Lakeview) and Senate President Emil Jones are among those joining Ronen in sponsoring the legislation. An identical companion bill (HB101) has been introduced in the Illinois House of Representatives by State Rep. Larry McKeon (D-Ravenswood). While the House passed similar legislation in 1993 and 1999, former senate president Pate Philip (R-Elmhurst) opposed the legislation and held up its passage in the senate. Current senate president Emil Jones (D- Chicago) has been a strong supporter of the legislation for more than twenty years.

"We are ecstatic with Senator Ronen as the sponsor," said Equality Illinois political director Rick Garcia. "As a member of the House of Representatives, Senator Ronen played pivotal roles in the passage of similar bills in that chamber in 1993 and 1999."

The bill adds the category sexual orientation to the Illinois Human Rights Act which bans discrimination in housing, employment, credit transactions and public accommodations. Twelve Illinois cities (Bloomington, Champaign, Chicago, Decatur, DeKalb, Evanston, LaGrange, Naperville, Normal, Oak Park, Springfield and Urbana) and one county (Cook) include sexual orientation in local civil rights code.

Supporters of the bill suggest that it is needed because discrimination against gays and lesbians is legal in Illinois and that such discrimination is unfair and unjust. Opponents suggest that the bill promotes homosexuality, violates religious institutions ability to preach against homosexuality, that homosexuals spread disease and are a threat to children.

The bill is supported by a wide range of business, religious, civil rights and civic organizations and leaders among them LaSalle Bank, Harris Bank, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, AFL-CIO, AFSCME, SEIU, Chicago Board of Rabbis, National Coalition of American Nuns, Advocate Health Centers, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, Rockford Mayor Doug Scott, Springfield Mayor Karen Hasara and all of Illinois' constitutional officers.

"Never have we had stronger support for this legislation in Illinois," said an optimistic Garcia. "It's no longer a matter of if it will pass, it's simply a matter of when."

The first "gay rights bill" was introduced in the Illinois House in 1974. The bill passed the House in 1993 and 1999 but was held up in the Illinois Senate. The last time the senate voted on the measure was in the late 1980s.

Equality Illinois is a statewide, nonpartisan gay and lesbian civil rights group that was founded in 1992. The mission of the organization is to secure, protect and defend the basic civil rights of gay and lesbian Illinoisans. There are more than 10,000 Equality Illinois members statewide.