CHICAGO -- Most of the state's major officer holders were present at the signing of the civil unions legislation Monday, including Governor Quinn, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, State Comptroller Judy Baar-Topinka and State Treasurer Dan Rutherford, who is said to be considering a bid for governor in 2014.
From ChicagoPride.com:
Gov. Quinn then recognized State Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka and State Treasurer Dan Rutherford, both Republicans who supported the bill. "Civil rights transcend political partnerships," he said.
Rutherford was the last to address the crowd.
"I am from a small town in central Illinois and I am a Republican, and I am proud of it. As this bill move forward, I felt I just needed to do the right thing," Rutherford said. "January 2009 I resigned from the Senate as the civil unions bill made its way through, and my very last bill of 18 years as part of the Senate was to vote yes on the civil unions bill."
NOTE: The ChicagoPride.com's "2009" above probably should have been "2011," but the reporter quotes Rutherford.
"I know that traveling all over Illinois that there are people who are uncomfortable but know this must go forward, I am proud to be from a small town, a Republican and to be here today."
Several current state lawmakers were in attendance at the bill signing, such as House Speaker Mike Madigan, bill sponsor Greg Harris and State Rep. Deborah Mell and her female fiance. Also in attendance were former lawmakers such as former State Senator Dave Sullivan (left in photo), who was seated next to Equality Illinois' former lobbyist/key gay activist Rick Garcia (right in photo by Anthony Meade).
