Equality Illinois PACthe political arm of the Equality Illinois advocacy organizationon Oct. 7 released its bipartisan endorsements for the Nov. 4 election.
Among those endorsements announced in a statement were for Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Secretary of State Jesse White and Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka. Equality Illinois PAC previously issued an endorsement for Gov. Pat Quinn.
The organization has, for several months, been calling attention to GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner's statements that he would have placed same-sex marriage up for vote in a referendum, as well as anti-gay marriage statements by his running mate, Evelyn Sanguinetti, and contributions Rauner has received from right-wing donors.
"We have come a long way as a society when we have both Republican and Democratic candidates for statewide office agreeing in their support for full equality for LGBT people. And I am proud that Equality Illinois PAC and its fiercely bipartisan work has helped bring this moment about," said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, in the statement. "Unfortunately not every statewide candidate has evolved on LGBT rights, but Illinoisans have and will continue to reject those candidates who play partisan politics with the lives of LGBT people."
"As the only statewide PAC focused on LGBT issues, we endorse the re-election of incumbents who have demonstrated through word and deed their support for policies important to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans and their families and allies," added Nicole Bashor, Chair of Equality Illinois PAC. "Attorney General Madigan and Secretary White ( two Democrats ) and Comptroller Topinka ( a Republican ) were there for us during the crucial fight for the freedom to marry in Illinois."
Bashor praised Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, who has registered strong support for the LGBT community, but noted, "…with our policy of endorsing incumbents, we give the nod to the incumbent Topinka in the comptroller's race. At the same time it is significant that there are races, such as the comptroller's and treasurer's contests, where candidates from both parties take our issues seriously and listen to LGBT Illinoisans." Simon is running against Topinka for comptroller.
Since there is no incumbent in the race for treasurer, Equality Illinois PAC issued endorsements for both candidates, Republican state Rep. Tom Cross and Democrat state Sen. Mike Frerichs. Bashor said both candidates' registered votes that "were critical" to passage of the gay marriage vote in the House last year.
Press release at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Equality-Illinois-endorses-Madigan-White-Topinka/49193.html .