News & Commentary

As we work our way through the final week of the legislative session in Springfield, we continue to wait for a vote on Senate Bill 10, which would approve the freedom to marry in Illinois. WBEZ reporter Tony Arnold spotlighted two different ways supporters of the act are choosing to spend these last few days as the legislative session comes to a close.

Yesterday, Memorial Day, America remembered and honored the many brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifices fighting for our freedoms and liberties. Laura Washington, columnist for The Chicago Sun Times, wrote an article highlighting one Illinois Marines’ continued battle for his own freedom, the freedom to marry. Marquell Smith called on leaders in the African American religious community to support the Marriage Fairness Act, which will be called to a vote in the Illinois General Assembly in the next few days. Smith is quoted as saying, “Equality begins when people in positions of power enable everyone to live lives of decency and dignity, free from any prejudice in the law. Black folks did not want anyone’s permission to live freely.” Yet, “despite our legacy we are now the very people denying others their equal rights.”

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The Belleville News-Democrat published an editorial Friday in support of HB 2675 and its passage in the Illinois Senate. The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois (ACLU-IL) played a major role in moving this legislation forward, sponsored by Rep. Camille Lilly and State Senator Heather Steans. The BND stressed that “school is supposed to be about access to knowledge, not about limiting information and hoping for the best.” With the passage of HB 2675, school sexual education courses will include information about birth control and sexually transmitted disease prevention. The new bill also gives parents the final say in whether or not their child participates in the sexual education. The BND supports strong parental involvement regarding these issues but concedes that children need “age-appropriate, professionally presented information” with regards to sexual education. Abstinence can still be taught as the only guaranteed birth and disease control. The editorial echoes Illinois State Senator Holmes views that it is “naïve” to believe that just by teaching abstinence will prevent our children from exploring sexually until marriage. The ACLU of Illinois urges Governor Quinn to sign HB 2675 into law.

The Chicago Phoenix covered a recent town hall meeting about the marriage bill. The meeting consisted of a panel of speakers from the Illinois United for Marriage campaign that included ACLU of Illinois staff attorney Karen Sheley. The ACLU of Illinois has hosted phone banks as part of the coalition's efforts to garner support for the marriage bill.

An article in Crain's draws attention to a state health facilities board proposal to expand background checks on applicants, and examine expunged criminal convictions.

Capitol Fax, a blog focused on Illinois politics, publishes a letter from an African American veteran of the Marine Corps, discharged under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Marine Sargent Marquell Smith calls on legislators to pass the freedom to marry in Illinois. 

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