Political LGBT organization Equality Illinois (EI) held its annual fundraising gala “Justice for All “at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan. The unseasonably warm weather on Feb. 7 allowed guests, dressed in black-tie attire, to leave their winter coats at home.
Guests walked around a long list of auction items on display from art pieces to weekend getaways and even a lunch with Cook County State Attorney Anita Alvarez, who was in attendance.
A weak economy and the recent impeachment of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich didn’t go unmentioned during the dinner portion of the program. Host Jim Madigan welcomed attendees by saying, “Seeing this crowd tonight reminds me why I’m so proud to be part of this community because in this time of economic troubles and political shake-ups … each of you in this room will be able to say I was there when the need was raised.”
Illinois politicians walked in a parade across the stage, and with each name came applause and excitement. Perhaps the most notable politicians in attendance because of the Blagojevich scandal that has generated national attention were newly appointed U.S. Sen. Roland Burris and new Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn.
Burris spoke briefly about his plans to support a hate-crimes bill in the near future, while Quinn addressed his peers by saying, “I invite your ideas, your suggestions, your energy. All of us putting our work together, we can make the will of the people the law of the land and make equality the law of the land.”
EI Political Director Rick Garcia awarded State Rep. Greg Harris the 2009 Freedom Award. Harris, the night’s keynote speaker, expressed his optimism about passing equal marriage legislation and tackling the issue of health-insurance disparities. Other awardees included Paulette Curkin, retired director of the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Resource Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale; trans activist Mara Keisling; and the Honorable Emil Jones, who all received Freedom Awards as well. Kraft Foods received the Business Leadership Award.
Co-founder and Board President Art Johnston concluded the evening by asking guests to “dig deep” when giving to EI, stressing the importance of marriage equality in IL a top priority in 2009 for the organization.