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Archive for October, 2009

Filing the Equal Marriage Act Bill

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Dear Neighbor,

The United States claims to be the most free and independent country in the world. Yet all of our citizens do not have equal rights. In Illinois, same-sex couples have to fight to visit each other in hospitals, make health care decisions, and raise children together.

On October 1st, I was able to do something as a Senator that has never made me feel more proud or honored – I filed the Equal Marriage Act, a bill that would allow same-sex couples in Illinois the right to marry. Senate Bill 2468 will clarify equal marriage rights for same-sex couples across the state – a right that is already enshrined in our constitutional language and traditions.

Rep. Greg Harris (D-13th) has introduced civil union and equal marriage bills in the House each session for each of the past two General Assemblies, but nothing had ever been filed in the Senate.

Five progressive states – Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and our neighboring, Iowa – now have full marriage equality. In Maine, voters will go to the polls to decide whether equal rights should be granted to same-sex couples.

It is under consideration in many other states, and should be made clear to everyone in Illinois that this is a fight we will not quit. Everyone should have the same rights that my husband and I have, and I plan to work hard with my colleagues in the Senate to bring Illinois back to the forefront of human rights.

Sincerely,

Heather

Read SB2468 by clicking here.

Posted in Human Rights, Legislation

My vote YES to campaign finance reform legislation

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

Dear Friend,

With the Fall Veto Session starting tomorrow, I wanted to provide you with an update on campaign finance reform legislation and seek your advice on how to maximize our reform efforts.

Illinois continues to struggle to enact campaign finance reform legislation that will reduce the destructive, controlling special interests in Springfield even though other states have models we could follow. Much of this Veto Session will be spent improving the campaign finance legislation that Governor Quinn recently vetoed.

The good news is that the negotiations for a Bill begin at a better point than the legislation we passed last Spring. It provides limits on what individuals and special interests can contribute to a campaign, and does not have a proliferation of political action committees that existed in the previous bill. I voted for the campaign reform package last Spring – although I had a stronger campaign finance bill that I preferred – based on the belief that we needed to pass some campaign finance structure to keep this issue alive (Illinois is one of 4 states that has no limits of any kind in place).

The sticking point now is that there is no limit on what leaders and political parties can contribute to candidates. This outcome consolidates power among a few leaders in an environment where our leaders already have a great deal of authority.

My goal is to achieve the strongest campaign ethics legislation possible including much greater limits on what leadership can give to their members.

I have three basic choices:

Encourage negotiations and support the best result with or without leader limits.
Only vote for the Bill if it includes meaningful limits on leadership transfers.
Only support the Bill if reform groups endorse it.

I welcome and appreciate your views and suggestions about this critical issue.

Heather

Posted in Campaign Finance, Legislation

State Senator Heather Steans Files Equal Marriage Legislation

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

State Senator Heather Steans (D-7th) on Thursday filed the Equal Marriage Act, marking the first time such a bill had been introduced in the Illinois Senate. Senator Steans made the announcement at a press conference at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago where she was joined by State Representative Greg Harris (D-13th) and Rick Garcia of Equality Illinois.

“In Illinois, same-sex couples have to fight to visit each other in hospitals, make health care decisions, and raise children together every day of their lives,” Senator Steans said. “Common decency and the U.S. Constitution demands that this changes.”

Harris has introduced Civil Unions and Same-Sex Marriage bills in the House each session for each of the past two General Assemblies.

“This is an important step that we’re taking today to have both chambers working in unison to get basic equality and fairness for all of our citizens,” Harris said.

Steans said the time for equal marriage rights is now, and noted that the issue is no longer a coastal one. Five progressive states Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and our neighboring, Iowa – now have full marriage equality. In Maine, voters will go to the polls to decide whether equal rights should be granted to same-sex couples.

“Marriage is a civil right – plain and simple,” said Bernard Cherkasov, Chief Executive Officer of Equality Illinois. “The state cannot have a civil institution of marriage – with its plethora of benefits, rights, and responsibilities – and exclude from it an entire class of citizens.”

In 2004, an ABC/Washington Post poll showed just 32 percent of Americans favoring gay marriage. Now, 49 percent support it, versus 46 percent opposed – the first time in ABC/Post polls where supporters outnumbered opponents. Moreover, 53 percent believe equal marriages held legally in another state should be recognized as legal in their state.

“Illinois should be on the cutting edge of this fight as well, ” Senator Steans said.

“This Bill will clarify equal marriage rights for same-sex couples across Illinois – a right that is already enshrined in our constitutional language and traditions,” she said. “We ask you to join this battle for freedom for all families by contacting your state legislators and asking them to join on as co-sponsors of this legislation.”

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Posted in Human Rights