Guide to the gays
Most of the gay and lesbian candidates running for office in Illinois fared well.
Kelly Cassidy
Race: Illinois state Representative ( 14th District )
The result: Democratic incumbent Cassidy took on Republican candidate Denis Detzel, a consultantand won handily. At last report, she had secured 85 percent of the vote.
Sam Yingling
Race: Illinois state Representative ( 62nd District )
The result: Incumbent Democrat Yingling, the first openly gay House member from outside metropolitan Chicago, faced Republican Rod Drobinski of Wauconda. With 83 percent of precincts reporting, Yingling had a slight lead of 51 percent to 49 percent.
Greg Harris
Race: Illinois state Representative ( 13th District )
The result: Harrischief co-sponsor of SB10, the legislation that brought about marriage equality in Illinoisran unopposed, ensuring his re-election.
Judy Rice
Race: Cook County Circuit Court Judge ( 7th Subcircuit, W. Taylor vacancy )
The result: Rice ran unopposed.
Bill Downs Jr.
Race: Illinois state Representative ( 52nd District )
The result: Downswho has resided in Cary, Illinois, for more than two decadesfell to Republican incumbent David McSweeney.
Sebastian Patti
Race: Cook County Circuit Court ( retention )
The result: Patti was retained.
AFC, Parenthood arm congratulate Gov.-Elect Rauner
AIDS Foundation of Chicago ( AFC ) and Planned Parenthood Illinois Action ( PPIA ) are among the organizations that have congratulated Gov.-Elect Bruce Rauner on his electoral victory.
AFC issued a statement saying, "The AIDS Foundation of Chicago ( AFC ) congratulates Illinois Governor-Elect Bruce Rauner on his victory. We and the community of HIV advocates stand ready to assist the governor-elect's transition team as they plan for the new administration.
The organization made several requests of Rauner but also called "on [current] Governor Pat Quinn and the Illinois General Assembly to act immediately during the fall veto session to end the state's fiscal cliff. Without legislative action, current income tax rates will drop Jan. 1, putting an immediate $2 billion hole in the state's $36 billion budget. The impact next fiscal year will be even greater."
In a separate statement, PPIAthe non-partisan political and advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood in Illinoisalso congratulated Rauner.
"During his candidacy, Bruce Rauner repeatedly said he was pro-choice. He also said he supports employer-based insurance coverage for birth control," said Carole Brite, President and CEO of PPIA. "We welcome the opportunity to work with Governor-elect Rauner to ensure that pro-choice policies are supported during his term."