Pictured Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was the special guest at last Saturday's Equality Illinois 'Justice for All' gala at the Hilton. His sister-in-law, Deborah Mell, was event co-chair, and his wife, Patti, was honorary co-chair. Awards were presented to several activists, politicians and a business. Among those honored were Lynn Spout ( LEFT photo, middle, with Patti Blagojevich and Rick Garcia ) , and PFLAG parents John and Char Cepek ( RIGHT photo with Deborah Mell ) . Photos by Tracy Baim_______________
Politicians, activists and supporters sparkled at Equality Illinois' 'Justice for All' gala, celebrating the one-year anniversary of Illinois' anti-discrimination law becoming a reality.
'Illinois now stands as a beacon of fairness, and a beacon of hope,' said Equality Illinois political director Rick Garcia, who added that it's no accident that Illinois has been so victorious this past year. All the hard work, he added, paid off.
Hundreds attended the Jan. 21 event to give thanks to those who helped make the passage of the Human Rights Amendment possible. Only 15 states have such laws protecting people based on their sexual orientation. Illinois is also one of a handful of states to extend that protection to people based on gender identity.
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Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a surprise guest, assured the crowd that any bill that comes to his desk which seeks to eradicate the amendment will be 'dead upon arrival.'
Blagojevich gave praise to his wife, Patti, and his out sister-in-law, Deb Mell, for their dedication to the issue. Patti was honorary co-chair of the gala, while Deb was joined by Jeremy Gottschalk as co-chairs of the gala.
Many were honored for their support at the event. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, PFLAG's John and Char Cepek, LaSalle Bank and activist pediatric nurse Lynn Sprout received Freedom Awards. Also addressing the crowd were EI Board President Paula Basta and Vice President Art Johnston. MC for the evening was NBC channel 5 anchor Don Lemon.
Sprout gave a special speech which had the audience in tears, as she recounted her fight to have time off for her dying partner.
While there were dozens of politicians and candidates, some were noticeably missing, including State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, a Republican candidate for governor.
Many more photos in the photo gallery link at top of story. Photos by Tracy Baim, Amy Wooten and Mel Ferrand
