attorney general lisa madigan in 2011 chicago pride parade
photo credit // chicagopride.com
Attorney General Lisa Madigan speaks exclusively to Windy City Times
Chicago, IL -
Attorney General Lisa Madigan, a supporter of equal rights for gays and lesbians, is expected at the Chicago Pride Parade despite a movement to ban politicians from the annual event.
"We always go to the parade, so we'll be out at the parade," Madigan told Windy City Times in an exclusive interview.
Madigan has said she is "very interested" in running for Illinois governor; however a new poll released to the Chicago Sun-Times shows her popularity drops when those surveyed were asked about her father, House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Speaker Madigan has received a considerable amount of criticism and blame for not taking a more active role in pushing Senate Bill 10, or the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, which would have made same-sex marriage legal in Illinois, through the Democratic-controlled House.
In the Windy City Times interview, Lisa Madigan said she had conversations with some lawmakers about supporting the bill.
"Yes, throughout session, and even in particular the last several days when people were hopeful that we were only a handful of votes away," she said. "Then, it started looking as if it was far more than that because some members of the legislature had been put under so much pressure that while at some point they may have indicated a possible willingness to be supportive, they were now indicating essentially the opposite. So I spent many hours on the phone that Thursday and Friday with legislatures, reassuring them of several things."
On May 31, the Illinois House adjourned without voting on the measure. Community outrage was immediate, including an online petition to ban politicians from participating in the annual pride parade.
PRIDEChicago, the group organizing the parade, told ChicagoPride.com they have no plans to remove politicians. Organizers said Lisa Madigan is not registered in the parade, but noted politicians often double-up on entries.
At this time only two House lawmakers, Reps. Greg Harris and Sara Feigenholtz, are registered to participate. Harris was the chief sponsor of SB10 and has also come under sharp criticism from advocacy groups and members of the LGBT community.
"We will pass marriage equality in Illinois. It may not happen fast enough for a lot of people, but it is coming," concluded Madigan.
The 44th annual Chicago Pride Parade is Sunday, June 30, 2013. NFL player and activist Wade Davis was announced as the Grand Marshal in May.
Read the full interview with Lisa Madigan on Windy City Times
Related: Guide to Chicago Pride
"We always go to the parade, so we'll be out at the parade," Madigan told Windy City Times in an exclusive interview.
Madigan has said she is "very interested" in running for Illinois governor; however a new poll released to the Chicago Sun-Times shows her popularity drops when those surveyed were asked about her father, House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Speaker Madigan has received a considerable amount of criticism and blame for not taking a more active role in pushing Senate Bill 10, or the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, which would have made same-sex marriage legal in Illinois, through the Democratic-controlled House.
In the Windy City Times interview, Lisa Madigan said she had conversations with some lawmakers about supporting the bill.
"Yes, throughout session, and even in particular the last several days when people were hopeful that we were only a handful of votes away," she said. "Then, it started looking as if it was far more than that because some members of the legislature had been put under so much pressure that while at some point they may have indicated a possible willingness to be supportive, they were now indicating essentially the opposite. So I spent many hours on the phone that Thursday and Friday with legislatures, reassuring them of several things."
On May 31, the Illinois House adjourned without voting on the measure. Community outrage was immediate, including an online petition to ban politicians from participating in the annual pride parade.
PRIDEChicago, the group organizing the parade, told ChicagoPride.com they have no plans to remove politicians. Organizers said Lisa Madigan is not registered in the parade, but noted politicians often double-up on entries.
At this time only two House lawmakers, Reps. Greg Harris and Sara Feigenholtz, are registered to participate. Harris was the chief sponsor of SB10 and has also come under sharp criticism from advocacy groups and members of the LGBT community.
"We will pass marriage equality in Illinois. It may not happen fast enough for a lot of people, but it is coming," concluded Madigan.
The 44th annual Chicago Pride Parade is Sunday, June 30, 2013. NFL player and activist Wade Davis was announced as the Grand Marshal in May.
Read the full interview with Lisa Madigan on Windy City Times
Related: Guide to Chicago Pride
