Equality Illinois Offers Cooperation to New Governor
But state’s largest LGBT organization slams appointment of Meeks as ‘an insult’
CHICAGO – As Bruce Rauner prepares to take the helm of the state on Monday, Equality Illinois extends its hand in cooperation but promises to remain an ever-vigilant voice and force representing the state’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens.
“Illinois is facing many challenges and it’s going to take both parties and people of all ideas working together to resolve them. LGBT Illinoisans and Equality Illinois are ready to do our share, including working directly with the Rauner Administration, to make Illinois better,” said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois.
Sadly, one of his first major appointments, the nomination of James Meeks, a virulently outspoken anti-LGBT former member of the Illinois Senate, to guide the state’s education system does not measure up to Rauner’s election commitment of holding “no social agenda” and is an insult.
Illinois is a diverse state facing complex and challenging issues, and as they are addressed by the new governor, Equality Illinois, the state’s largest civil rights advocate for LGBT Illinoisans, stands committed to not only preventing backsliding on the significant accomplishments for LGBT Illinoisans achieved under Democratic and Republican administrations but continuing the struggle for full equality.
“Even as we’ve made progress elsewhere, we are fighting against pervasive bullying and youth suicide and for greater understanding of the needs of transgender teens, and to have Meeks at the helm of the institution that is guiding the education of our children is an insult,” said Cherkasov.
“An individual’s supposed expertise in one area does not excuse major failings in another. Meeks actively worked against the freedom to marry and has called homosexuality ‘an evil sickness.’ He was cited as one of the leading religious voices in the anti-gay movement by the Southern Poverty Law Center,” Chekasov said.
“The Meeks appointment presents the Illinois Senate, which approves or rejects gubernatorial appointments, and the House with the obligation to ensure that his anti-LGBT social views do not creep into Illinois education policy and that Illinois remains on the path to full equality,” Cherkasov said.
Rauner’s appointment of business executive Leslie Munger to replace the late Judy Baar Topinka as comptroller is more typical of the officials Equality Illinois expects Rauner to choose. “Leslie Munger has already demonstrated her willingness to support and work with LGBT Illinoisans, and that is a standard we expect Rauner to follow,” Cherkasov said.
“We hold the door open for working together with the new Rauner administration but we will not hold back in defending our victories, asserting our intention to continue the fight for full recognition and protection of LGBT Illinoisans and to speak up and act boldly when our expectations are not met.”
- Pardon Joe Kotlarz - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 9:42 am:
Is Equality Illinois asking the State Senate to quash the nomination? Would Cullerton even be remotely interested in doing so?
- JoanP - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 9:42 am:
Wonderful. Someone committed to destroying public education is appointed to head the state Board of Ed.
- Under Further Review - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 9:47 am:
Who elected the leadership of Equality Illinois to anything? The press release reads as if the interest group is an equal branch of government.
I am not sure about the Meeks’ appointment either, but he has not even moved into office yet.
I will give him a chance before I begin to criticize his suitability for the job.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 9:50 am:
Not one once of sympathy for Teachers’ Union.
You had your chance, you blew it
As for LGBT, might be too early to worry what MAY happen. Governing will dictate if you’re right to worry.
- Carhart Representative - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 9:54 am:
Teachers unions are what they are, but with budgets already stretched thin in schools and vouchers not working anywhere they’ve been tried, I do wonder if this won’t be disaster for public education in Illinois–not just Chicago. This does seem like one of those GOP appointments where you select a department head based on their opposition to the department. Like when Bush made Bolton our UN ambassador because of his history of fighting the UN.
- 1776 - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 9:57 am:
Let’s see. Equality Illinois slams the pro-choice Rauner during the campaign instead of celebrating that both major party candidates were in their camp. That is the insult.
Now they’re upset that the person they chose to bash over the head appoints someone that doesn’t share all of their ideals? Give me a freakin’ break.
- south side - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:02 am:
Being gay is “An evil sickness.” Really?Asians, Latinos, and women should not qualify for minority contracts. Really? In my improvished community the best use for three million dollars is to have my church buy me a jet for my 50th birthday.Really? This is who we get to lead a large diverse educational system. Really?
- Arizona Bob - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:04 am:
I’ve met Meeks an number of times, and he’s about as student and family centered regarding public education as anyone I’ve met in government, and he understands the problems involved in getting the kids the education they deserve from our tax dollars.
He understands that public education in Illinois is more about serving the bureaucracy than the kids, and understands that the union and eduocracy have developed the clout to put their wants above the students needs every time. He understands that attempting to “reform” that dysfunctional money pit is a hopeless cause, so we need an alternative that puts the kids needs first. Vouchers is one of the few ways of doing that.
Regarding LGBT issues, one of my biggest concerns about legitimizing gay marriage was that once it had legal standing, schools would follow the path of least resistance and promote the gay and LGBT lifestyle to young children without contrasting with hetero alternatives, and identifying the disadvantages of the LGBT lifestyle.
I feel a lot better with the fair minded Rev Meeks providing oversight and limitations on how the LGBT lobby will be able to promote and recruit in our public schools.
- Under Further Review - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:06 am:
Does anyone at Equality Illinois remember when former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington (who supported the passage of the Human Rights Ordinance in the City Council) tapped Reverend Meeks to run for the legislature? Equality Illinois has a litmus test that no politician can pass — one hundred percentism.
- Wordslinger - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:12 am:
Makes sense. Meeks thinks CPS kids should be able to enroll at New Trier and Rauner thinks New Trier kids should be able to enroll at CPS.
Did Meeks really call being gay an “evil sickness?”
If so, I think that kind of rhetoric from a public official directed toward a group of law-abiding citizens should be a concern of everyone.
He can address those concerns at his confirmation hearing.
- Wordslinger - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:15 am:
AB, are you for real? So you think sexuality is a choice?
Have you made your decision yet? If so, when did you do that?
- Bobby Hill - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:15 am:
RE: - Carhart Representative - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 9:54 am:
…vouchers not working anywhere they’ve been tried…”
Hmm, really? I hadn’t heard that but I will take your word for it! /snark
I hope Rev Meeks works to help those that need public money the most and works to get the most from that money. The difference in education a child receives in various districts is ridiculous. I hope the first thing he works on is getting rid of the boundaries. If a child can not get a basic education in one district they should be able to cross the (arbitrary) boundary and go to a school somewhere else. It’s as simple as that to me.
- Chicago Cynic - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:19 am:
“promote the gay and LGBT lifestyle to young children without contrasting with hetero alternatives”
Gotta love people who think like that. Yes, that’s all gays want is to convert innocent otherwise hetero children. P U H L E A S E…
- walker - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:21 am:
Meeks appt no big deal outside of political symbolism, because key reforms to Ed won’t be driven at the state level.
Will Meeks work this job full time — 52 weeks, 50+ hours a week? Or is this secondary endorsement income for him?
- Demoralized - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:28 am:
Bob:
You’ve secured yourself many times here as a gay hater. That’s fine. But please don’t try to tell me that our schools should follow suit by teaching that hate.
And, by the way, what would those “negative” things about being gay be Bob? Please enlighten me.
- Demoralized - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:29 am:
==LGBT lobby will be able to promote and recruit in our public schools==
Recruit? Are you and idiot? You aren’t “recruited” into being gay Bob.
Where do you get your goofy information from?
- slow down - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:33 am:
AB, sadly, Meeks is anything but “fair minded” when it comes to his views on homosexuality. When you suggest Meeks will be there to provide “oversight and limitations” as it relates to the LGBT lobby, I think you’ve effectively made Equality Illinois’ argument for them.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:37 am:
===So you think sexuality is a choice?===
Dan Savage has a very funny request for those like Bob who think people choose to be gay. I’d love to suggest it here, but then I’d probably be banned for life, so you’ll just have to use your imagination or search the Savage Love archives.
Elections have consequences. Appointing Rev. Meeks to head the Board of Education is one of them. There will be more.
- Mittuns - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:39 am:
Meeks never showed up for work in the Senate, so we can remain hopeful he does the same here.
- Arizona Bob - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:44 am:
First, Demoralized, I challenge you to find ANYWHERE that I spewed “hate” towards the LGBT people. If they keep their sexual practices private, I couldn’t care less about the choices they make, as long as it involves adults of mental and emotional capacity.
What I object to is when the militant LGBT storm troopers try to force me to legitimize, subsidize and promote their lifestyle, especially to vulnerable, impressionable children.
LGBTs should have the freedom and liberty to live their lives as they choose. Forcing those who for religious or other reasons consider it immoral or perverse to support it and pay to promote it is a violation of their freedom and liberty.
- Gooner - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:45 am:
One thing that it left out of the Meeks discussion is that it appears that he’s not wild about Jews either, blaming “Hollywood Jews” for certain movies that he doesn’t like.
While I understand that Rauner was going to appoint a person hostile to teachers’ unions, this is an absolutely terrible appointment on so many levels.
And then of course we have the idea of a minister having a leadership role in education, which is something that many of us find uncomfortable.
For those who said that Rauner doesn’t have a social agenda, well, it appears that he does.
- Wordslinger - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:46 am:
Bobby Hill, I’m certain that Rauner and the suburban GOP will be all for your open enrollment plan, lol.
- Arizona Bob - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:47 am:
For those who doubt the way public education can be used to promote the LGBT lifestyle, start looking at what was done in public education in Massachussetts after gay marriage was passed there. It’ll show you where Illinois is heading in pretty short order.
- Chris - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:59 am:
“schools would follow the path of least resistance and promote the gay and LGBT lifestyle to young children without contrasting with hetero alternatives, and identifying the disadvantages of the LGBT lifestyle.”
This is soooo goofy.
” Forcing those who for religious or other reasons consider it immoral or perverse to support it and pay to promote it is a violation of their freedom and liberty.”
I’ll credit this once churches start paying taxes. I find the beliefs of many churches to be immoral and/or perverse, and I object to paying more than my share of taxes to support them–it’s a violation of MY freedom and liberty.
- How Ironic - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:07 am:
@AZ Bob,
“I feel a lot better with the fair minded Rev Meeks providing oversight and limitations on how the LGBT lobby will be able to promote and recruit in our public schools.”
“What I object to is when the militant LGBT storm troopers try to force me to legitimize, subsidize and promote their lifestyle, especially to vulnerable, impressionable children.”
“I challenge you to find ANYWHERE that I spewed “hate” towards the LGBT people.”
You sir, are a moron. And your two comments above, directly address your similarly ignorant ‘challenge’.
It’s not ‘lobbying’ to promote tolerance towards others. However, it appears you’ve hitched yourself to the ‘ignorance is bliss’ horse. There are actually gay people in the world, (not by choice either) and they are actually in our schools.
How exactly by the way are people being ‘recruited’ to turn gay exactly? Is it like the old bank promotions? Sign up for a lifetime of scorn and disapproval, and you get a free toaster?
I only hope you, and other bigots continue to post moronic posts so that the rest of us understand that the battle for equality isn’t over yet. Go watch Selma. I’m guessing we can all figure out what side of the bridge you stood on, and continue to stand on. Thankfully, your side is losing.
- Demoralized - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:19 am:
==violation of their freedom and liberty==
In one word - BULL. People have twisted their disapproval of “gay” with somehow infringing on their rights, when in fact it is you who are infringing on the rights of gay people by attempting to deny them the right to such things as gay marriage.
And, Bob, at the very least you are ignorant when it comes to the topic of being gay as evidenced by your claim that their is some sort of recruitment going on. You can’t recruit anybody to be gay. You either are or you aren’t.
== legitimize, subsidize and promote their lifestyle, especially to vulnerable, impressionable children.==
I don’t even know what you mean by “subsidize” and I doubt you do either. As for legitimize, I teach my kids to respect everyone, including gay people. They’ve even asked me about kids with same sex parents. I tell them it’s perfectly fine. Every family is different. I’m assuming you wouldn’t have told your kids that same thing and I find that extremely sad.
==If they keep their sexual practices private,==
Everybody should keep their sexual practices private - gay or straight. What you really mean is “if they stay in the closet” you are fine with it. Telling somebody that they can’t be themselves is hate Bob. I’m sorry you are too ignorant to see that.
- Demoralized - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:21 am:
Bob
This is another one of those times I’m glad you aren’t involved in the educational system in Illinois. I don’t want a school system that teaches kids to be intolerant, which is clearly the message you favor.
- Demoralized - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:24 am:
==LGBTs should have the freedom and liberty to live their lives as they choose. ==
That’s a funny statement from a guy who was against SSM.
- Carhart Representative - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:43 am:
Bobby Hill, the results for vouchers are terrible. There’s a reason cities like Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Washington that championed them aren’t held up as shining examples of pedagogical brilliance.
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/vouchers-dont-do-much-for-students-97909.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/11/16/report-slams-d-c-s-federally-funded-school-voucher-program/
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/the_dismal_science/2014/07/sweden_school_choice_the_country_s_disastrous_experiment_with_milton_friedman.single.html
- olddog - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:57 am:
=== For those who doubt the way public education can be used to promote the LGBT lifestyle, start looking at what was done in public education in Massachussetts after gay marriage was passed there. ===
@ AZ Bob — would you please, please, please try to learn something about education before spewing your ideological talking points? Here’s a good place to start:
http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2012/11/02/maine-and-elsewhere-ads-mislead-voters-about-same-sex-marriage-massachusetts-schools/Q1rm2BfFjczRYHsP4WSM7L/story.html
- Walter Mitty - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:00 pm:
“Not one once of sympathy for Teachers’ Union.
You had your chance, you blew it.”
OW Spot on as always… That was my first thought. Wow… He went nuclear. Now, who appoints as Superintendent will be the test. If it is a Chicago or Non-Public ed person… Watch out…
- Downstate Illinois - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:04 pm:
Meeks should have ran against Blago in the Dem primary. Illinois would have been far better for it.
It will be interesting to see where he comes down on education reform. As a state senator he and the Black Caucus were all over the place over the years with too many caucus members tied to the teachers unions to ever be effective. The only reform the Dems gave us over the last few years is to allow Chicago teachers to disrupt the school year with a strike.
I’ve never met Sen. Meeks, but I already look forward to Rauner’s new administration.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:12 pm:
Meeks was appointed to Education. This is a field he really cares about and has spent quite a few years working within.
His opinions regarding gay marriage isn’t an education issue.
Expecting the Republican governor to kowtow to this group on this appointment is seriously over reaching.
- Voice of Reason - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:16 pm:
This small like a shady political deal to me. Meeks endorses Rauner, Rauner appoints Meeks. Nothing illegal or wrong ant it other than the fact anyone who knows Meeks agenda (and style) knows this will be a disaster. It’ll be fun to watch tho!
- Gooner - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:20 pm:
Vanilla, some people would say that school safety and bullying are important to school operations. Apparently, kids getting beat up in school is not an issue for you.
And some people may question whether any minister is the right person to pursue a curriculum based on science rather than myth, but apparently that’s not an issue for you either.
However, for a lot of us, those issues are a pretty big deal.
- Arizona Bob - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:47 pm:
=I’ll credit this once churches start paying taxes. I find the beliefs of many churches to be immoral and/or perverse, and I object to paying more than my share of taxes to support them–it’s a violation of MY freedom and liberty.=
There’s a BIG difference in churches not being taxed and subsidizing them with public funds. They’re not taking money from you, other than by the twisted logic that the 55% of Illinois citizens who don’t pay state income tax are “taking” from you, even if they don’t get public assistance.
- Arizona Bob - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:50 pm:
@How ironic
=You sir, are a moron. And your two comments above, directly address your similarly ignorant ‘challenge’=
So you substitute insults, name calling, and lack of response for logical debate.
It would seem you have more in common with homophobes who bully gays than I do……
- Arizona Bob - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 1:01 pm:
@Dem
=when in fact it is you who are infringing on the rights of gay people by attempting to deny them the right to such things as gay marriage=
The fact that I oppose subsidizing gay relationships is a moot point now. It’s the law, and I have no choice but to live with it.
=I don’t even know what you mean by “subsidize” and I doubt you do either.=
and I doubt you ever think about any reasoned debate. Subsidize includes giving benefits based upon relationships in public sector work, funded by my tax dollars. At one time not too long ago, benefits weren’t paid to such “partners” now they are. That’s a subsidy for a relationship. I agree it’s a slippery slope as to what relationships should be subsidized in this manner. I wouldn’t recognize “shack ups” for benefits unless the rules of common law marriage were met, either.
=Telling somebody that they can’t be themselves is hate Bob. I’m sorry you are too ignorant to see that.=
So if hurting small animals and abusing children is “who someone is” doesn’t merit telling someone “who they can be” is “hate”, you certainly have a stilted definition of that term. Everyone has “urges”, Dem. Many married people have the drive to cheat on their spouse, their body tells them this is “who they are” but they make the CHOICE not to cheat. That what civilized adults do. They fight their baser urges to keep within their moral compass. If you’re NOT teaching this to your kids, it’s not “hate” it’s just sad for them.
- Demoralized - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 1:07 pm:
Bob
Being gay isn’t a choice. If it makes you feel better to think it is then that’s fine.
And I think my moral compass is just fine.
Teaching kids to have respect and tolerance is good morality to me. YOu teach hate. That’s fine for your kids. It’s not for mine.
==funded by my tax dollars==
Funded by THEIR tax dollars too Bob.
==So if hurting small animals and abusing children is “who someone is” ==
Such a comment is par for the course with the gay hating crowd. You bring up red herrings to support your argument. It’s pathetic.
Bob, when it comes to the gay issue you are a complete moron. There’s really no other way to say it.
- Hon I.G - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 1:15 pm:
The only one really feeling left-out is dethroned former UNO Charter CEO Juan Rangel. He’s been slinking around Sprinfield hoping that he might get a cush appointment. I guess the $300k severance package ran out!
- Arizona Bob - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 1:20 pm:
@Dem
=That’s a funny statement from a guy who was against SSM.=
If you don’t understand the difference between allowing people to live their own lives and make their own choices compared with forcing others to accept their choices and promote them, welllll…the only thing I can say is that you understand nothing about the basis for liberty and freedom in this nation and are probably a Democrat!
- Demoralized - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 1:23 pm:
Bob
How does a gay couple getting married not equal allowing somebody to live their own life and make their own choices?
==you understand nothing about the basis for liberty and freedom in this nation and are probably a Democrat==
Yeah Bob, because all of those Democrats hate liberty and freedom. Yep, anybody that disagrees with Bob’s politics hates liberty and freedom. Any other dopey comments to make? Any other partisan national talking point garbage you want to spew?
- Demoralized - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 1:26 pm:
==forcing others to accept their choices and promote them==
Nobody is doing that Bob and anybody that believes that is an idiot.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 1:27 pm:
===forcing others to accept their choices and promote them===
Bob, it’s time to move along. Same goes for everyone else.
Don’t feed the trolls.
- Demoralized - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 1:29 pm:
Sorry Rich. Apologies.
- How Ironic - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 1:34 pm:
And Rich, I’ll move on. Was typing when you posted.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 1:44 pm:
- Walter Mitty -,
Yeah, not to difficult to see.
Governor Rauner is doing what he said with education, the teachers’ union shouldn’t be surprised
- Walter Mitty - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 2:28 pm:
OW… Do you think he doubles down and names someone from Chicago or private/charter for State Sup?
- Carhart Representative - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 3:04 pm:
I don’t think the teacher’s union was surprised, but Pat Quinn shouldn’t have been shocked by their tepid support either when he made Paul Vallas his Lt. Governor. I think it’s hard to motivate people to vote for someone they can’t stand just because there is somebody worse on the ballot. Rauner has every right to go nuclear, but nobody wins a nuclear war. Hardworking teachers will be casualties, students will be causalities, and if it does go nuclear the Rauner administration will be a casualty too.
- Arizona Bob - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 3:20 pm:
Sorry, Rich. I fell into the “troll trap” trying to get into a sensible debate. My bad.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 3:21 pm:
- Walter Mitty -,
It seems like Rauner is pushing forward on Education, so if they can team Rev. Meeks with a partner, that seems the most logical move.
- Mama - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 4:45 pm:
Since Meeks does not like gays, does that mean he will replace Koch? Hope Meeks is smart enough to know he needs Dr. Koch’s educational background.