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Elections set for Illinois House, Senate; McKeon runs for Rep

by Trudy Ring

There are few hotly contested races for the Illinois General Assembly this year, although gays and lesbians certainly will follow with interest the race in the 34th Representative District, where Democrat Larry McKeon is endeavoring to become the first openly gay member of the legislature.

OUTLINES here provides information on all Chicago-area state candidates, drawn from OUTLINES and/or IMPACT questionnaires, information from other endorsing organizations, and the candidates' voting records, particularly on state lesbigay-rights legislation and the state ban on same-sex marriage. If no information is given for a particular candidate, that means none was available.

Candidates endorsed by the Illinois Federation for Human Rights (IFHR) Political Action Committee all have either supported the state gay-rights bill or supported gay rights in another jurisdiction. Additionally, the IFHR PAC gave campaign contributions to all those who voted against the marriage ban. Those endorsed by Personal PAC have 100 percent pro-choice records or questionnaire responses; those rated "preferred" by Personal PAC have taken mostly pro-choice stances.

State Senate

1ST DISTRICT

Democrat: Jesus Garcia, incumbent, unopposed. Voted against marriage ban. Endorsed by IMPACT, IFHR, Personal PAC, Illinois and Chicago NOW.

3RD DISTRICT

Democrat: Margaret Smith, incumbent. Voted against marriage ban. Endorsed by IFHR, Personal PAC, Illinois and Chicago NOW.

Libertarian: Maggie Kohls. Opposes adding sexual orientation to the state's anti-bias laws; supports same-sex marriages.

4TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Earlean Collins, incumbent, unopposed. Voted "present" on marriage ban. Endorsed by IFHR, Personal PAC.

6TH DISTRICT

Democrat: John Cullerton, incumbent. Voted against marriage ban; co-sponsor of gay rights bill. Favors "extending the same rights and responsibilities that heterosexual married couples have to same-sex partnerships." Favors equal rights for gays in adoption, child custody and foster parenting; favors increased AIDS funding. Endorsed by IMPACT, IFHR, IVI-IPO, Personal PAC, Illinois and Chicago NOW.

Republican: Robert Oberg, who has said he supports sodomy laws.

Libertarian: Joseph Schreiner, openly gay; favors free-market approach to gay rights, other civil rights issues and health care.

7TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Robert Martwick. Rated "preferred" by Personal PAC.

Republican: Walter Dudycz, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban.

9TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Art Berman, incumbent, unopposed. Supports gay rights, increased AIDS funding; voted against marriage ban. Endorsed by IMPACT, IFHR, Personal PAC, Illinois and Chicago NOW.

10TH DISTRICT:

Democrat: James DeLeo, incumbent, unopposed. Voted for marriage ban. Endorsed by IFHR.

12TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Robert S. Molaro, incumbent. Voted against marriage ban. Endorsed by IFHR; rated "preferred" by Personal PAC.

Harold Washington Party: Glenn B. Wharton. Said he would vote for state gay rights bill, but believed too much emphasis on gay rights would be divisive.

13TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Barack Obama. Supports gay rights, same-sex marriage; increased AIDS funding, abortion rights, affirmative action. Endorsed by IFHR, IMPACT, IVI-IPO, Illinois and Chicago NOW, Personal PAC.

Republican: Rosette Caldwell Peyton

Harold Washington Party: David Whitehead

15TH DISTRICT

Democrat: William "Bill" Shaw, incumbent. Did not vote in first roll call on marriage ban, voted "present" on re-vote. Endorsed by IFHR, Personal PAC, Illinois and Chicago NOW.

Republican: Eugene James.

16TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Donne Trotter, incumbent, unopposed. Voted against marriage ban. Endorsed by IFHR, Personal PAC.

18TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Dennis Kibby.

Republican: Patrick J. O'Malley, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban.

19TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Richard Della Croce.

Republican: William F. Mahar, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban.

Reform: Lance Del Goebel

21ST DISTRICT

Democrat: Jennifer Lawson Finlay.

Republican: Chris Lauzen, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban.

22ND DISTRICT

Republican: Thomas J. Walsh, incumbent, unopposed. Voted for marriage ban.

24TH DISTRICT

Democrat Nancy C. Kenney and Republican Christine Radogno (who defeated incumbent Bob Raica in primary) have both received "preferred" ratings from Personal PAC.

25TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Geraldine Vance Carter.

Republican: Doris C. Karpiel, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban.

27TH DISTRICT

Republican: Peter Fitzgerald, incumbent, unopposed. Original sponsor of same-sex marriage ban.

28TH DISTRICT

Democrat: William M. "Bill" Blaine Jr. Endorsed by Illinois NOW.

Republican: Martin J. Butler, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban. Rated "preferred" by Personal PAC.

30TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Terry Link. Endorsed by IMPACT.

Republican: Tom Lachner, formerly in House; voted for marriage ban. Endorsed by Personal PAC.

31ST DISTRICT

Republican: Adeline J. Geo-Karis, incumbent, unopposed. Voted for marriage ban.

33RD DISTRICT

Democrat: Charles A. Marwig

Republican: Steven J. Rauschenberger. Voted for marriage ban.

39TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Larry Craig. Would support gay rights bill, increased AIDS funding. Endorsed by IMPACT and Personal PAC.

Republican: Dan Cronin, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban.

40TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Debbie DeFrancesco Halvorson. Endorsed by Illinois NOW; rated "preferred" by Personal PAC.

Republican: Aldo DeAngelis, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban. Also rated "preferred" by Personal PAC.

State House of Representatives

1ST DISTRICT

Democrat: Sonia Silva, unopposed. Supports lesbigay rights; pro-choice. Endorsed by IMPACT, IFHR, Illinois and Chicago NOW and Personal PAC.

2ND DISTRICT

Republican: Nancy Mercado, unopposed. (Democrat Ben Martinez withdrew from race.)

3RD DISTRICT

Democrat: Miguel Santiago, incumbent. Voted "present" on marriage ban. Endorsed by IFHR.

Republican: Augusto Montijo.

4TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Edgar Lopez, incumbent. Voted "present" on marriage ban. Endorsed by IFHR.

Republican: John W. Duda.

5TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Lovana "Lou" Jones, incumbent, unopposed. Voted against marriage ban (voted "present" on second vote to change bill's effective date). Endorsed by IFHR, Personal PAC.

6TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Shirley Jones, incumbent. Voted against marriage ban ("present" on second vote). Endorsed by IFHR; rated "preferred" by Personal PAC.

Republican: Bobby Belk.

7TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Eugene Moore, incumbent. Voted "present" on marriage ban. Endorsed by IFHR, Personal PAC.

Republican: June Edvenson. Would support gay rights bill; undecided on same-sex marriage. Pro-choice; would maintain current AIDS funding; favors parental rights for gays and lesbians.

8TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Calvin Giles, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban. Endorsed by IFHR, Personal PAC.

Republican: Les Golden. In previous run for office, made anti-affirmative action statements and expressed reservations about gay rights.

9TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Art Turner, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban ("present" on re-vote). Endorsed by IFHR, Personal PAC.

Republican: Marie Ciffone.

10TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Coy Pugh, incumbent. Voted "present" on marriage ban. Endorsed by IFHR.

Republican: Earnest L. Thomas.

11TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Judy Erwin, incumbent. Voted against marriage ban; supports increased AIDS funding and programs, including needle exchange; favors affirmative action; favors parental rights for gays and lesbians; supports stronger gun control. Endorsed by IMPACT, IFHR, IVI-IPO, Illinois and Chicago NOW, Personal PAC.

Republican: Rudy Pamintuan. Endorsed by Chicago Log Cabin Republicans.

12TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Sara Feigenholtz, incumbent. Voted against marriage ban; supports increased AIDS funding and has introduced bill to boost funds for AIDS Drug Reimbursement Program; favors affirmative action; favors parental rights for gays and lesbians; strong gun control proponent. Endorsed by IMPACT, IFHR, IVI-IPO, Illinois and Chicago NOW, Personal PAC.

Republican: Beret Olson.

Libertarian: Jim Haring. Believes anti-discrimination laws are not proper function of government; private organizations should be able to do AIDS prevention activities, such as condom and needle distribution, but government should not be involved; government should get out of marriage business and leave arrangements to individuals, in which case same-sex marriages would be legal.

13TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Ralph C. Capparelli, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban.

Republican: Peter Callaghan.

14TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Thomas P. Needham.

Republican: Michael McAuliffe, incumbent (filling out term of his late father, Roger McAuliffe).

15TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Joseph M. Lyons, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban.

Republican: Donald M. Hodgkinson. Endorsed by IVI-IPO, which praises his views on school reform and funding.

Libertarian: David L. Travis.

16TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Louis Lang, incumbent, unopposed. Chief sponsor of only gay-rights bill ever to pass House. Did not vote on marriage ban. Favors increased AIDS funding. Endorsed by IFHR, IMPACT, Personal PAC, and Illinois NOW.

17TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Carol Ronen, incumbent. Voted against marriage ban; favors gay parental rights, increased AIDS funding. Endorsed by IFHR, IMPACT, IVI-IPO (received best legislative voting record award), Personal PAC, Illinois and Chicago NOW.

Republican: Kurt James Eckhardt.

18TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Jan Schakowsky, incumbent. Voted against marriage ban, favors gay parental rights, increased AIDS funding. Endorsed by IFHR, IMPACT, IVI-IPO, Personal PAC, Illinois and Chicago NOW.

Republican: Edward Potash

19TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Robert J. Bugielski, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban. Endorsed by IFHR.

Republican: James J. Fiduccia.

20TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Joseph Kotlarz, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban. Endorsed by IFHR, Personal PAC.

Republican: Joseph Hornowski

21ST DISTRICT

Democrat: Mary Flowers, incumbent. Did not vote on marriage ban; voted "present" on re-vote. Endorsed by IFHR, Personal PAC, Illinois & Chgo NOW.

Republican: Melvin R. Sexton

22ND DISTRICT

Democrat: Michael J. Madigan, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban; absent for re-vote. Endorsed by IFHR.

Republican: Terrence F. Goggin.

23RD DISTRICT

Democrat: Dan Burke, incumbent, unopposed. Voted "present" on marriage ban. Endorsed by IFHR, Personal PAC.

24TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Howard Kenner, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban, "present" on re-vote. Endorsed by IFHR, Personal PAC.

Republican: Patricia A. Krasowski.

25TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Barbara Flynn Currie, incumbent, unopposed. Voted against marriage ban; supports lesbigay parental rights, increased AIDS funding, clean needle programs. Endorsed by IFHR, IMPACT, IVI-IPO, Personal PAC, Illinois and Chicago NOW.

26TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Charles Morrow, incumbent. Voted "present" on marriage ban. Endorsed by IFHR, Personal PAC.

Republican: James V. Spring

27TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Monique Davis, incumbent. Absent for first marriage ban vote; no on re-vote. Pro-choice, pro-affirmative action. Endorsed by IFHR.

Republican: Noreen Stewart.

28TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Tom Dart, incumbent. Absent for marriage ban votes. Supports abortion rights in first trimester; also supports waiting periods and parental notification. Supports affirmative action. Endorsed by IFHR.

Harold Washington Party: Derek Banks.

29TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Arlene Fantin, incumbent. Voted against marriage ban. Endorsed by IFHR, Personal PAC.

Republican: Rich Banske.

30TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Harold Murphy, incumbent, unopposed. Voted for marriage ban; "present" on re-vote. Endorsed by IFHR and Personal PAC.

31ST DISTRICT

Democrat: Todd Stroger, incumbent. Absent for first marriage ban vote; yes on re-vote. Endorsed by IFHR, Personal PAC.

Republican: John Zart.

32ND DISTRICT

Democrat: Constance Howard, incumbent, unopposed. Voted against marriage ban. Endorsed by IFHR, Personal PAC, Chicago and Illinois NOW.

33RD DISTRICT

Democrat: John A. Fritchey, unopposed. Would support and co-sponsor gay-rights legislation, favors marriage and parental rights, more AIDS funding, abortion rights. Endorsed by IFHR, IMPACT, IVI-IPO, Personal PAC, Chicago and Illinois NOW.

34TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Larry McKeon. Openly gay; plans to co-sponsor gay-rights legislation, work for increased AIDS funding (including drug reimbursement program), supports marriage and parental rights, abortion rights. Endorsed by IFHR, IMPACT, IVI-IPO, Personal PAC, The Committee, Chicago & Illinois NOW.

Republican: Robert Lytle. Opposes marriage rights; favors mandatory HIV testing in some cases.

35TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Maggie Crotty. Preferred by Personal PAC.

Republican: Jack O'Connor, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban.

36TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Jim Brosnahan.

Republican: Maureen Murphy, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban.

37TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Kevin McCarthy.

Republican: John Doody. Voted for marriage ban.

38TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Lois Mayer. Endorsed by IMPACT, Personal PAC.

Republican: Renee Kosel. Also endorsed by Personal PAC.

39TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Keith Murphy

Republican: Vincent Persico. Voted for marriage ban.

40TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Kevin D. Schuele. Endorsed by IL. NOW.

Republican: Peter Roskam. Voted for marriage ban. Absent on re-vote.

41ST DISTRICT

Democrat: Suzanne Tobin Frankel. Endorsed by Illinois NOW, Personal PAC.

Republican: Mary Lou Cowlishaw, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban.

42ND DISTRICT

Democrat: Barbara Connell Vondrak.

Republican: Suzanne L. Deuchler, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban. Preferred by Personal PAC.

43RD DISTRICT

Republican: Jack L. Kubik, incumbent, unopposed. Voted for marriage ban.

44TH DISTRICT

Republican: James B. Durkin, incumbent, unopposed. Voted for marriage ban.

45TH DISTRICT

Republican: Kay Wojcik, incumbent, unopposed. Voted for marriage ban.

46th District

Democrat: Dennis Hamm. Would support and co-sponsor gay rights bill, supports marriage and parental rights, increased AIDS funding, abortion rights. Endorsed by IMPACT, Personal PAC, Illinois NOW.

Republican: Lee Daniels, incumbent (and House Speaker). Voted for marriage ban.

47TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Mark Pera. Preferred by Personal PAC.

Republican: Eileen Lyons, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban.

48TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Michael W. Schadt.

Republican: Anne Zickus, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban.

49TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Bob Banks. Endorsed by Illinois NOW.

Republican: Carole Pankau, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban.

50TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Mary Frances Potts.

Republican: Thomas L. Johnson, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban.

51ST DISTRICT

Democrat: Hyman Riebman.

Republican: Verna Clayton, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban. Preferred by Personal PAC.

52ND DISTRICT

Democrat: Robert Boness.

Republican: Mark Beaubien. Endorsed by Personal PAC and Chicago Log Cabin Republicans.

53RD DISTRICT

Republican: Terry Parke, incumbent, unopposed. Voted for marriage ban.

54TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Sue Walton. Supports gay rights, including parental rights; pro-choice. Endorsed by IMPACT, Personal PAC, Illinois NOW.

Republican: Bernard Pedersen, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban.

55TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Thomas Cahill.

Republican: Rosemary Mulligan, incumbent. Endorsed by IFHR, Personal PAC, Illinois NOW and Chicago Log Cabin Republicans.

56TH DISTRICT

Republican: Carolyn Krause, incumbent, unopposed. Voted for marriage ban.

57TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Elaine Nekritz. Endorsed by Illinois NOW, Personal PAC.

Republican: Elizabeth Coulson. Also endorsed by Personal PAC.

58TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Jeff Schoenberg, incumbent. Gay rights supporter, pro-choice, advocate for AIDS and women's health. Voted against marriage ban. Endorsed by IFHR, IMPACT, Illinois NOW, Personal PAC.

Republican: Tina Escamilla.

59TH DISTRICT

Republican: Corinne G. Wood, unopposed. Endorsed by Personal PAC.

60TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Lauren Beth Gash, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban. Endorsed by IFHR, Illinois NOW, Personal PAC.

Republican: Joel Gingiss.

61ST DISTRICT

Republican: Andrea Moore, incumbent, unopposed. Voted for marriage ban. Endorsed by IFHR; preferred by Personal PAC.

62ND DISTRICT

Democrat: Ronald Lee Molinaro. Endorsed by Personal PAC.

Republican: Robert W. Churchill. Voted for marriage ban.

63RD DISTRICT

Democrat: James S. Kappel.

Republican: Ann Hughes, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban. Endorsed by IFHR; preferred by Personal PAC.

64TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Joseph H. Powalowski.

Republican: Cal Skinner. Voted for marriage ban.

65TH DISTRICT

Republican: Patricia Reid Lindner, incumbent, unopposed. Voted for marriage ban. Preferred by Personal PAC.

66TH DISTRICT

Republican: Douglas Hoeft, incumbent, unopposed. Voted for marriage ban.

77TH DISTRICT

Republican: Angelo "Skip" Saviano, incumbent, unopposed. Voted for marriage ban.

78TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Tom Berry

Republican: Bob Biggins, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban.

79TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Michael Giglio. Preferred by Personal PAC.

Republican: Marvin Lyzenga.

80TH DISTRICT

Democrat: George F. Scully.

Republican: Flora Ciarlo. Voted for marriage ban.

81ST DISTRICT

Democrat: Dave Brockway. Undecided on gay rights; against same-sex marriage. Supports abortion rights, but also supports parental notification and/or consent requirements.

Republican: Judy Biggert, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban. Preferred by Personal PAC.

82ND DISTRICT

Democrat: Tom Wolfe. Endorsed by Personal PAC.

Republican: Jim Meyer, incumbent. Voted for marriage ban.

83RD DISTRICT

Republican: Brent Hassert, incumbent, unopposed. Voted for marriage ban.

84TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Alex Arroyo. Would support and co-sponsor gay rights bill, supports marriage and parental rights, pro-choice on abortion.

Republican: Tom Cross. Voted for marriage ban. Endorsed by Personal PAC.

85TH DISTRICT

Democrat: John "Phil" Novak, incumbent, unopposed. Voted for marriage ban.

86TH DISTRICT

Democrat: Jack McGuire, incumbent, unopposed. Voted for marriage ban.

In House races outside the Chicago area, IMPACT and IFHR have endorsed Pennie von Bergen Wessels, 73rd; IMPACT has endorsed Marylou Louder Kent, 100th; and IFHR has endorsed Doug Scott, 67th, Dan Rutherford, 87th, and Wyvetter Younge, 114th. In Senate races outside the area, IFHR has endorsed Denny Jacobs, 36th; Vince DeMuzio, 49th; and Penny Severns, 51st. For Illinois NOW and Personal PAC endorsements outside the region, contact the organizations.