Equality Illinois PAC endorses 51 candidates throughout state

CHICAGO — The Equality Illinois PAC (EI PAC) is endorsing 51 candidates, including Susana Mendoza for Illinois State Comptroller and state legislative candidates, in the general election on November 8, 2016, the statewide LGBT political action committee announced Wednesday.

“Throughout her career, Susana Mendoza has stood with LGBT Illinoisans,” said Nicole Bashor, Chair of the Equality Illinois PAC. “As a state legislator, she supported LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination protections in 2005 and civil unions in 2010. We are proud to endorse Mendoza for Illinois State Comptroller.”

In state legislative races, the EI PAC endorsed 11 candidates for the Illinois Senate (including 8 incumbents) and 35 candidates for the Illinois House of Representatives (including 24 incumbents). The endorsed incumbent legislators have stood with the LGBT community as the struggle for fair and equal treatment continued beyond the fight for marriage equality.

“Elections matter, and the proof is in our progress,” said Michael Ziri, Director of Public Policy at Equality Illinois. “From protecting LGBT youth from discredited and dangerous conversion therapy to ensuring respect for the funeral wishes of transgender Illinoisans, we are making progress thanks to our pro-equality supporters in the Illinois General Assembly. We have more to do, and we must not falter now.”

“The opponents of LGBT equality and inclusion are determined to stop progress towards full equality,” said Brian C. Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois. “We must be vigilant in our work to secure and defend our hard-fought victories and values. Electorally, we must elect those candidates who stand with LGBT Illinoisans.”

The EI PAC, the political action arm of Equality Illinois, is the only statewide political entity dedicated to defending and securing the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans through engagement in the electoral process. Endorsements are based on a candidate’s record in office and responses submitted on the EI PAC’s 2016 candidate survey. Read more about the EI PAC at eqilpac.org.

2016 General Election Endorsements by the Equality Illinois PAC

Illinois State Comptroller

Susana Mendoza

Illinois Senate (District Number – City of Residence)

Heather Steans (7 – Chicago)

Emil Jones III (14 – Chicago)

Cristina Castro (22 – Elgin)

Tom Cullerton (23 – Villa Park)

Corinne Pierog (25 – St. Charles)

Kelly Mazeski (26 – Barrington)

Laura Murphy (28 – Des Plaines)

Julie Morrison (29 – Deerfield)

Melinda Bush (31 – Grayslake)

Toi Hutchinson (40 – Olympia Fields)

Scott Bennett (52 – Champaign)

Illinois House of Representatives (District Number – City of Residence)

Ann Williams (11 – Chicago) Sara Feigenholtz (12 – Chicago) Greg Harris (13 – Chicago) Kelly Cassidy (14 – Chicago) John D’Amico (15 – Chicago) Lou Lang (16 – Skokie) Laura Fine (17 – Glenview) Robyn Gabel (18 – Evanston) Merry Marwig (20 – Chicago) Michael J. Madigan (22 – Chicago) Christian Mitchell (26 – Chicago) Al Riley (38 – Olympia Fields) Will Guzzardi (39 – Chicago) Kathleen Carrier (42 – Carol Stream) Anna Moeller (43 – Elgin) Cynthia Borbas (45 – Carol Stream) Deb Conroy (46 – Villa Park) Steve Swanson (48 – Lombard)

Valerie Burd (50 – Yorkville) Martin Moylan (55 – Des Plaines) Michelle Mussman (56 – Schaumburg) Scott Drury (58 – Highwood) Carol Sente (59 – Vernon Hills) Sam Yingling (62 – Grayslake) Nancy Zettler (66 – Algonquin) Litesa Wallace (67 – Rockford) Mike Smiddy (71 – Hillsdale) Mike Halpin (72 – Rock Island) Greg Hose (81 – Downers Grove) Stephanie Kifowit (84 – Oswego) Bobby Pritchett (94 – Roseville) Carol Ammons (103 – Urbana) Dennis Malak (110 – Charleston) Katie Stuart (112 – Edwardsville) Jay Hoffman (113 – Swansea)

Cook County State’s Attorney

Kim Foxx

Champaign County Recorder

Matthew Duco

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Mariyana Spyropoulos

Barbara McGowan