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Category Archives: Illinois

Please Help Us Save Marriage in Illinois - And Across America

May 22, 2013 – 10:50 am

Dear Marriage Supporter,

For months and months, NOM has been fighting hard to protect marriage in Illinois.

That's why, with less than ten days left to go in the legislative session, gay activists are still scrambling to twist arms and strike backroom deals in Springfield.

Your emergency gift of $35, $75 or $150 could make the difference by helping stop gay marriage in Illinois — the last state that will debate marriage before the Supreme Court hands down its ruling later next month.

Yes, even in this deep blue state where Democrats hold a supermajority and the governor is pushing for gay marriage, we've managed to stop them in their tracks — at least, so far.

Scoring a victory...will force politicians and the media to take notice. Please take action and contact your lawmaker urging them to vote NO on gay marriage.

NOM has joined forces with the African American Clergy Coalition and other allies on the ground, investing upwards of $125,000 to support a variety of activities including calling the constituents of wavering Representatives, alerting the citizens of Illinois to the threat to marriage in their state, and helping them take action to protect marriage.

We are achieving results, but we have so much more to do.

Supporter, it's make-or-break time in the Land of Lincoln!

Please make an emergency donation to NOM's efforts to protect marriage. $35, $75, $150 — whatever you can spare. Every gift matters — your gift matters!

And if you haven't already contacted your friends and family in Illinois and urged them to email and call their state representative in Springfield, please do so right away — before you close this email. Please forward this to everyone in your contact list you know cares about the defense of marriage.

Thank you — now is the time for action!

By Brian Brown | Posted in Alerts, Featured, Illinois, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (2)

The Week: Brady's Resignation Means GOP is Doubling-Down on Marriage

May 9, 2013 – 11:30 am

Harold Mass of The Week acknowledges that the GOP is firmly pro-marriage and Brady's ouster is a sign of that fact:

In a widely expected move, embattled Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady resigned on Tuesday. Brady said he wanted to spend more time with his family as his wife fights cancer, but social conservatives have been calling for Brady's head for months. They're angry over his support for a gay marriage bill floated in the state legislature this year — the latest in a series of similar measures taken up across the country.

...No matter how Brady's departure is spun, the takeaway is that the Illinois GOP is doubling down on its opposition to gay marriage. Though "it's pretty clear that support for marriage equality is what forced [Brady] out of office," says Doug Mataconis at Outside the Beltway. After he came out for the marriage bill, 50 conservatives called for his resignation at a meeting in April.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Illinois, Marriage, Politics, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (4)

Victory: Pro-Marriage GOP Grassroots Oust Chairman Brady

May 8, 2013 – 10:30 am

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 8, 2013

Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Jen Campbell (703-683-5004)

"This is yet another powerful example that the GOP grassroots is firmly pro-marriage" — Brian Brown, NOM president —

National Organization for Marriage

Washington, D.C. — Reacting to news today that Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady has resigned after immense pressure was put against him in the wake of his abandonment of the GOP platform on marriage, Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage, said: "This is yet another powerful example that the GOP grassroots is firmly pro-marriage."

Pat Brady told CNN today "… obviously I had lost the support of the state Central Committee because of my position on gay marriage." Brown continued: "Brady fell into the lie that Republicans do not care about marriage and won't take vigorous action against those in their party who abandon marriage. Brady has quickly learned his lesson. Other Republicans who are tempted to abandon the party platform on marriage should take note or they will also risk their political careers."

Brown concluded: "The pro-marriage GOP grassroots in Illinois and around the country ought to be commended for this victory. Their persistence and commitment to conservative principles — including the critical institution of marriage — is what led to this victory. May this inspire other GOP activists across the country to continue fighting to protect marriage and preserve winning conservative principles."

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To schedule an interview with Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, please contact Elizabeth Ray (x130), eray@crcpublicrelations.com, or Jen Campbell (x145), jcampbell@crcpublicrelations.com, at 703-683-5004.

Paid for by The National Organization for Marriage, Brian Brown, president. 2029 K Street NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006, not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. New § 68A.405(1)(f) & (h).

By NOM Staff | Posted in Featured, Illinois, Press Releases | Comments (26)

Photos: Hundreds Rally to Protect Marriage in Illinois!

May 6, 2013 – 11:15 am

Here are some photos of the large pro-marriage rallies that took place in Illinois over the weekend at the offices of wavering Illinois Representatives:

Please contact your Representatives in Illinois and continue to help spreading the word!

By NOM Staff | Posted in Events, Illinois, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (6)

Photo: Crowd of 150 Protests Illinois GOP Rep. Who Flipped on SSM

April 15, 2013 – 11:15 am

Pro-marriage GOP grassroots in action:

While the State Central Committee of the Illinois Republican Party was meeting in Tinley Park to discuss the retention of Pat Brady as Chairman following his lobbying for gay marriage, a crowd that surged to 150 people at one time gathered in front of State Rep. Ed Sullivan’s district office in Mundelein to protest his recently announced intention to vote for the same-sex marriage bill currently being considered in Springfield.

The rally organizers told Illinois Review that the rally was organized in just a few days, and the fact that so many people came out to protest is a clear indication of the true majority voice of the district.

The protest included a number of elected Republican officials, including current and former GOP township chairs and precinct committeemen. (Illinois Review)

By NOM Staff | Posted in Illinois, Marriage, Politics, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (14)

Cardinal George, Black Pastors Unite in Defense of Marriage

April 8, 2013 – 12:15 pm

NBC Chicago:

State lawmakers are certainly getting an earful as they prepare to head back to work next week and potentially take up the issue of allowing same sex marriage in Illinois.

Cardinal Francis George on Friday joined a group of African American religious leaders to decry the "redefinition of marriage" as "morally wrong."

...The clergy members stressed, however, that their opposition to gay marriage should not be seen as discrimination against congregants in same-sex relationships.

"Nature and the Bible then dictates our stance today. It is not our personal opinion about the lifestyles of any individual that comes in our church or is outside of our church," said Bishop Lance Davis with the New Zion Christian Fellowship of Dolton.

Video:

View more videos at: http://nbcchicago.com.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Illinois, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage, United for Marriage | Comments (19)

National Organization for Marriage Reiterates Pledge to Spend $250,000 To Defeat Any Republican Legislator in Illinois Who Votes For Gay 'Marriage'

April 8, 2013 – 10:50 am

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 8, 2013
Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Jen Campbell (703-683-5004)

"Any Republican in Illinois who betrays the cause of marriage will be casting a career-ending vote and will be held accountable to their constituents." —Brian Brown, NOM's president—

National Organization for Marriage

Washington, DC—With the Illinois state Legislature set to return from recess, the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) today reiterated its pledge to spend $250,000 defeating Republican legislators who vote in support of same-sex 'marriage' in Illinois, just like NOM successfully did in New York.

"Any Republican in Illinois who betrays the cause of marriage will be casting a career-ending vote and will be held accountable to their constituents," said Brian Brown, NOM's president. "We will spend whatever it takes—hundreds of thousands of dollars if necessary—to remove them from office, just as we did three of the four turncoat Republican state Senators in New York who were responsible for gay 'marriage' passing there. We will not hesitate to support pro-family Democrats to replace them, as our record in New York proves."

In New York, same-sex marriage narrowly passed the state senate after four Republicans and two Democrats changed their votes in response to promises of campaign cash from gay marriage activists. NOM targeted all seven for defeat, and was successful in removing five of them, replacing them in 2012 with pro-family Senators. As numerous media have reported, including the New York Times, three of the four Republicans were removed from office despite promises by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and gay-rights advocates to do everything in their power to protect them against political retribution. ("Costly Toll for Republicans Who Voted for Gay Marriage").

In addition to supporting challengers to the four Republicans, NOM also supported pro-family Democrats, helping to re-elect Senator Ruben Diaz and electing a pro-marriage Democrat to unseat Senator Shirley Huntley in the Democratic primary. "Marriage is not a partisan issue," Brown said. "We will stand with pro-family legislators regardless of party affiliation when they stand up for true marriage."

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To schedule an interview with Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage, please contact Elizabeth Ray (x130), eray@crcpublicrelations.com, or Jen Campbell (x145), jcampbell@crcpublicrelations.com, at 703-683-5004.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Illinois, Press Releases | Comments (4)

Major Upset Brewing...

March 22, 2013 – 2:30 pm

Dear Marriage Supporter,

There's an upset brewing in Springfield. Even the media is taking notice.

Here's the headline from the Chicago Tribune: "Speaker Madigan says gay marriage bill 12 votes shy in the Illinois House."

How things change when voters stand up for what they believe.

Less than three months ago, same-sex marriage supporters were claiming passage was a question of "when, not if." Today, thanks to your efforts, and those of thousands of your fellow Illinoisans, same-sex marriage is on the ropes, with supporters stuck at 48 votes out of the 60 needed for passage in the Illinois House. The stories of sacrifices that people have made to stand for marriage are overwhelming.

But this is a dangerous moment . . . gay marriage activists are desperate, and willing to do just about anything to sway the votes they need. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and even President Obama himself, are calling in favors in an effort to push the bill through.
The House is back in session until Friday before taking a two-week recess. These next few week are critical as legislators return to their districts.

Please keep the momentum up with a message to your state representative today. Remind them that their constituents are watching, and that we expect them to stand firmly against same-sex marriage.

Click here to give them the backing they need to stand strong against the back-room, closed-door, old-school political special interest machine!

In addition, I NEED you to forward this email to your family and friends in Illinois, and encourage THEM to take action as well. If it's easier for you, use the buttons below to share this message on Facebook and Twitter. Or pick up the phone and call them so they can take action right away.

Finally, I urge you to take some time during the upcoming recess to make a phone call or even request a personal meeting with your state representative. There's nothing like personal contact when it comes to communicating the importance of marriage for connecting children to a mom and a dad.

Victory is on the horizon, but only with your help today!

By Brian Brown | Posted in Alerts, Illinois, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (6)

Rahm Emanuel is Desperate!

March 5, 2013 – 4:30 pm

Dear Marriage Supporter,

Desperate! That's what the Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, is right now.

Why else would he send out an email to his Chicago machine commanding them to lobby their representatives in favor of same-sex marriage?

Because as of today, he knows they don't have the votes to pass the bill!

Rahm Emanuel is firing up the Democratic Party forces, trying to strong-arm same-sex marriage through the legislature the old Chicago way.

But this time, things are different!

Please click here right away to send an email message to your state representative urging him or her to cast a vote to protect marriage and kids by voting AGAINST Senate Bill 10!

Supporter, as I mentioned last week, the Democratic Party is fraying over the issue of gay marriage. Many of the politicians who represent African-American and Latino constituents are resisting the political pressure brought to bear by the leaders of their party.

Click here to give them the backing they need to stand strong against the back-room, closed-door, old-school political special interest machine!

If you have an additional two minutes to invest in defending marriage, look up your Representative's phone number by clicking here, and call their office to let them know that the people of Illinois — and you personally — want their representatives to defend marriage — the only institution that connects children to parents and vice versa.

It's going to take thousands of Illinoisans working together to protect marriage in Illinois. Help spread the word today!

You have made tremendous progress so far! Same-sex marriage was supposed to be a done deal in January… yet here we are in March with a very real chance of preventing this so-called "inevitable" same-sex marriage bill.

Please take action today! I know I can count on you to help. Thank you!

By Brian Brown | Posted in Alerts, Illinois, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (5)

Victory: GOP Move to Oust Pro-Gay Marriage Pat Brady!

March 2, 2013 – 9:42 am

Dear Marriage Supporter,

You spoke and the Republican party listened.

When Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady announced that he was abandoning the GOP platform and endorsing same-sex marriage, NOM and others immediately called for his resignation.

This week the news broke that seven Illinois GOP committee members have successfully called a special meeting on March 7 to oust Chairman Brady.

Please thank these seven men and women who have taken a stand for principle and values and encourage the remaining committee members to do the same!

Brady is already feeling the heat. Just a couple days ago he was forced to cancel a major fundraiser that was expected to bring in $250,000 and he has admitted that the controversy over his betrayal has hurt Illinois GOP operations.

Across the country, gay marriage advocates are falsely claiming that the Republican party supports gay marriage. Why are they doing so? Because they've learned they can only score victories when they divide us. They know that if they don't crack the GOP's united defense of marriage, gay marriage will never make it out of the deep blue states where it currently has a tenuous foothold.

Even in Illinois, a Democrat-run state, gay marriage only makes progress when Republicans abandon principle and go along with far-left policy.

That's why it's so important we send a message by ousting Chairman Pat Brady, because it will teach a lesson to every Republican who flirts with abandoning marriage: we, your voting constituents, will not stand for abandoning principle!

Pat Brady claimed that he chose to come out in support of gay marriage to attract young voters. But the latest polling shows only 37% of young Republicans say they support gay marriage, and how many more young conservatives probably support true marriage but are intimidated by their liberal college environment and peer pressure into hiding their pro-marriage views?

That's why we need politicians who will courageously stand for principle and stand up for what is right — not abandon principle at the first sign of trouble or confusion!

That's why I'm asking you to take this action today by supporting those calling for Brady's removal. We need to send a message to politicians and the next generation: we will remain vigilant in the fight to protect marriage!

By Brian Brown | Posted in Alerts, Illinois | Comments (11)

Illinois SSM: The Story The Media Didn't Tell

March 1, 2013 – 1:05 pm

Dear Marriage Supporter,

Big news from Springfield this week — but it's NOT the story you may have heard from the mainstream media...

Rahm Emanuel's Democratic Party machine, the machine that has ruled Illinois state politics for years, is fraying over the issue of gay marriage.

As of today, they don't have the votes to pass same-sex marriage, and even Democrats are starting to speak out against efforts to redefine marriage.

Senate Bill 10, the same-sex marriage bill that passed the Senate earlier this month, was heard in House Committee this week. After a lengthy hearing, State Rep. Eddie Lee Jackson, a Democrat from East St. Louis, broke with party bosses, joining the committee's 4 Republicans in voting against efforts to redefine marriage. Despite Democrats' 7-4 majority on the committee, only the vote of Chicago Democrat Rep. Luis Arroyo — who also opposes same-sex marriage but agreed to send the bill to the full House — assured the 6 votes need for passage out of committee.

This is the big news: Two of the seven Democrats on the House Executive Committee have publicly broken with the party machine over the issue of same-sex marriage. The courage of these two leaders — and especially Rep. Eddie Lee — will likely provide support for additional Democrats to stand up and do the right thing.

Let's remind every member of the Illinois House that their constituents support marriage. It only takes a couple of minutes — even if you've already sent a message, please send another today. Our opponents realize that the outcome is very much in doubt and they're ramping up the pressure, especially on Democratic legislators.

Your representatives need to hear from you today.

Click here to look up the phone number for your state representative.
Use this link to send a short email message to your state representative urging him or her to vote to defend religious liberty and defend marriage, our only civil institution that connects children with parents. Marriage and faith matter!
Finally, forward this email to friends and family throughout the state, or use the buttons below to share on Facebook and Twitter. It's going to take thousands of citizens from the Land of Lincoln just like you working together to preserve marriage in Illinois. Help spread the word today!

We have the chance to win an amazing victory for marriage this year — but only with your help. I hope I can count on you to take action today!

By Brian Brown | Posted in Alerts, Illinois | Comments (2)

URGENT ACTION NEEDED: Same-Sex Marriage Hearing Today!

February 26, 2013 – 12:00 pm

Dear Marriage Supporter,

It's coming down to crunch time for marriage in Illinois, and it's critical that you and I act NOW.

I'll keep this short, so as not to take much of your time, but please take 5 minutes to read this message and then contact your state representative right away.

* * * * *

Attend Today's Hearing in Springfield

After passing the Senate earlier this month, a same-sex marriage bill — under the Orwellian title of "Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act" — will be heard in the House Executive Committee today.

If you can make it to Springfield, your presence will make a powerful statement, regardless of whether you choose to testify before the committee. NOM's own Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, head of the Ruth Institute, will be testifying. Please come early to meet Dr. Morse, and bring friends! Legislators need to know how much their constituents care about protecting marriage.

Illinois House Executive Committee
Room 114 Capitol Building
Date: Tuesday, February 26
Time: 3:00PM
Click Here for a Map
Send an Email to Representative Rita Mayfield

Representative Rita Mayfield, a Democrat from Waukegan, has announced that she will be tallying emails received for and against same-sex marriage, and she will take that information seriously into account as she weighs her vote.

Please take a moment right now to send Rep. Mayfield a short messaging asking her to OPPOSE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE. Her email address is mayfieldr@ilga.gov.
Email your own Representative

Use this link to send a short email message to your state representative urging him or her to vote to defend religious liberty and defend marriage, our only civil institution that connects children with parents. Marriage and faith matter!

Please take 5 minutes to rally around the defense of marriage! And please forward this message to anyone else you know in the Land of Lincoln who can help defend this beautiful, God-given institution.

Together we can keep up the momentum and save marriage in Illinois!

By Brian Brown | Posted in Alerts, Illinois, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (9)

URGENT: Your Help Needed to Stop Same-Sex Marriage in Illinois!

February 22, 2013 – 1:00 pm

Dear Marriage Supporter,

A special thanks to the Illinois Family Institute, the Catholic Conference of Illinois, and the thousands of you who braved the cold in Springfield this week, standing with friends and neighbors from across the state for the Defend Marriage Lobby Day. Estimates suggest between 3,000 and 5,000 Illinoisans traveled to Springfield to be part of the event, making a powerful statement to wavering lawmakers.

That's exactly the type of commitment and dedication that it's going to take to stop same-sex marriage in Illinois this year.

And we can't let up now.

Yesterday's rally sent a strong message to lawmakers, many of whom are under intense pressure to ignore the wishes of their constituents and to toe the line with the Democratic Party leadership's attempt to redefine marriage. The bill has already passed the Senate and is supported by Governor Quinn.

With a vote in the House possible as early as next week, it is critical that we stop it here, where we are strongest!

TAKE ACTION!

Your state representative needs to hear from you right away — please call them and then email them immediately:

Click here to look up the phone number for your state representative.
Use this link to send a short email message to your state representative urging him or her to vote to defend religious liberty and defend marriage, our only civil institution that connects children with parents. Marriage and faith matter!
Finally, forward this email to friends and family throughout the state, or use the buttons below to share on Facebook and Twitter. It's going to take thousands of Illinoisans like you working together to preserve marriage in Illinois. Help spread the word today!

Together we can keep up the momentum and save marriage in Illinois! Now is the moment – please join us!

By Brian Brown | Posted in Alerts, Illinois, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

More than 3,000 Lobby to Protect Marriage in Illinois!

February 21, 2013 – 8:00 am

Thank you to all of our supporters who joined the Defend Marriage Lobby Day in Springfield!

The Journal Star:

"...“Defend Marriage Lobby Day,” the event that bought the Grace Presbyterian contingent to Springfield, attracted more than 3,000 people, according to David E. Smith, executive director of Illinois Family Institute, based in Carol Stream, the event’s main organizer.

About five busloads from the Peoria area, including two organized by the Catholic Diocese of Peoria, attended.

... Brian Elsasser of Princeville, a Peoria County Board member who rode on one of the buses organized by the Peoria diocese, said, “I pray and I love all humankind, no matter what they do. But that doesn’t give us the right to take an institution, which was ordained by God, and change it in Illinois.”

... Bethany Baptist Church, Germantown Hills Baptist Church and Dayton Avenue Baptist Church also were among the local churches that organized trips to the lobby day.