On Dec. 30, Equality Illinois held a statewide conference call in which the organization apprised dozens of gay bar owners of developments regarding Illinois Senate Bill 3186, which calls for the end of discrimination in housing and employment on the basis of sexual orientation, and asked for the owners’ support. The state legislature may vote on the bill Jan. 10 or 11.
Rick Garcia, political director of Equality Illinois, gave an update of where things are. He said the bill is sitting on the floor of the Illinois General Assembly and is ready for a final vote; SB 3186 needs 30 votes in the Senate and 60 in the House to pass. Garcia’s good news was that the bill has the necessary votes in the House. However, the House has indicated it does not want to vote until it passes through the Senate, primarily because the bill has passed through it twice before—only to be denied by the Senate. Adding to the tension is the fact that the bill has 28 firm votes in the Senate, two short of what is required—making it vital that people contact their elected officials to request their support of the bill.
Art Johnston of Sidetrack discussed a program he has instituted—handing out palm cards that ask patrons to support the bill and that provide the Equality Illinois Web site (www.eqil.org) so people can complete online petitions.
Call Chris Blanchard of Equality Illinois at (773) 477-7173 or cblanchard@eqil.org to get packets of information, including palm cards and flyers. They can also e-mail information so people can print items to post.