A Chicago man is facing a felony charge for allegedly threatening and Illinois lawmaker whose anti-gay remarks made headlines recently.
Stephen S. Bona, allegedly threatened Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-42) twice in recent days after she called gay relationships “disordered” on Catholic Conference Radio Hour.
A press release from the office of DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin states that Bona allegedly called Ives on March 22 and left a threatening message. He was charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor.
But on March 25, Bona allegedly called again, and the charge was upgraded to Threatening a Public Official, a Class 3 felony. Bona was arrested by Wheaton Police, and bond was set at $150,000. He was released shortly after.
The statement from the State’s Attorney’s office notes that a Class 3 Felony is punishable up by up for five years.
“My office takes any threat or perceived threat against a public employee or elected official very seriously,” Berlin said, in a statement. “For our government to function properly, it is imperative that public servants be allowed to serve without having to worry about their personal safety,” said Bona in a statement.
Ives’ radio comments that gays were trying “weasel their way into acceptability” by passing an equal marriage bill in Illinois spurred backlash from LGBT rights supporters and offended her openly gay colleagues.