Date: Thu, 6 Mar 1997 11:54:44 -0800 (PST) From: Rex Wockner Subject: NC3015: IL Gay rights bill From: Illinois Federation for Human Rights To: rwockner@netcom.com Subject: IL Gay rights bill News Release For Immediate Release Contact: Lana Hostetler March 6, 1997 217-528-4287 or Rick Garcia 773-244-3371 GAY RIGHTS BILL INTRODUCED IN ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY Springfield, IL -- A bill banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation (HB 1241) was introduced in the Illinois House of Representatives on Friday, February 28, by State Representative Larry McKeon (D-Chicago), the first openly gay man elected to the Illinois legislature. Joining McKeon in sponsoring the civil rights legislation were thirty-six other members of the Illinois House including House Speaker Michael Madigan. "This is the largest number of sponsors of a gay rights bill in Illinois history," said Lana Hostetler, lobbyist for the Illinois Federation For Human Rights. "In 1991, a similar bill only garnered 40 votes in the House. We have almost that many sponsors today and that bodes well for passage of the bill." The bill would amend the Illinois Human Rights Act to make discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations and credit transactions on the basis of sexual orientation illegal. Nine states and over two-hundred and fifty municipalities in the U.S. include sexual orientation in their civil rights codes. In Illinois, the County of Cook, and the cities of Chicago, Champaign, Oak Park, Evanston, Urbana and LaGrange have similar legislation. The bill was assigned to the Human Services Committee and hearings are scheduled for Wednesday morning March 12, 1997 at the State Capitol in Springfield. The bill has been endorsed by a wide range of business, religious, labor, civic and civil rights organizations and leaders. "Even though this legislation enjoys unprecedented support, we have an uphill battle to overcome the right-wing zealots who wish to deny gay and lesbian people their basic civil rights." said Rick Garcia, director of the Illinois Federation For Human Rights. "Supporters of this bill need to call and visit their representatives and join us in Springfield to make sure the votes are there for passage." An identical bill was introduced last month in the Illinois Senate by Senator Bruce Farley (D-Chicago) with fifteen co-sponsors. #END# Founded in 1992, the Illinois Federation For Human Rights is a state-wide, non-partisan group dedicated to securing, protecting and defending the civil rights of sexual minorities in Illinois. The organization has led the effort to pass a gay rights bill in Illinois since 1993.