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Most of the openly gay and lesbian candidates for office in Illinois showed up at Sidetrack Jan. 19 for a rally hosted by Join the Impact, Equality Illinois and the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago.

U.S. Senate candidate Jacob Meister and Water Reclamation District candidate Todd Connor had previous commitments and could not attend. Those who did address the crowd were: Illinois Senate candidate Jim Madigan; and Illinois House candidates David Schroeder, Edward Mullen, Greg Harris, Deb Mell, Joe Laiacona, and Bob Mueller (running in DuPage County). Another state rep candidate was listed, Kent Delay, but he did not attend.

Illinois Appellate Judge Sebastian Patti was among the gay candidates for judge attending, joined by Linda Pauel, Mary Trew and Joanne Fehn. Recently retired gay judge Tom Chiola, who was the state’s first openly gay elected official, was at the event and recognized by the crowd.