LGBT ON THE MARCH

By Adam Ruble

            Large crowds of activists, including a contingent from Warren County,  marched at the state capital in Springfield in October in support of marriage equality.  Included in the Warren County group were 20 Monmouth college students who made the trip to the capitol on a cold and rainy day.   According to organizers, the march  at the capitol on October 22^nd will go down in Illinois history as the largest event, in terms of attendees, to ever gather in support of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender  (LGBT community in Illinois.  An estimated 5,000 supporters of Senate Bill 10 took part in the March.

            Anne Begley, one of the Monmouth students who went to the event was overjoyed at the sight of all of the supporters. Later she commented, “It is wonderful to see all of this support and passion for this cause. I couldn't imagine not being able to marry a person that I love and I wouldn't want anyone to be deprived of that right.” She also said, “So many people are in support of same-sex marriage but it is amazing to see a group of students who are actually doing something about it.” In talking to Begley after the bill was passed, it was obvious how happy she was that she had been a part of the momentous day. She simply said, “One of the speakers started a chant as we began marching, 'Pass the damn bill!' and that is just what happened.” That speaker was Bishop Carlton Pearson and he was the keynote speaker for the March on Springfield.

            After all of the organizing for the event and with the huge number of people that were in attendance, not to mention the years of work prior to bring equality to the LGBT community, there was still doubt that the bill would pass or that it would even come to a vote during this three week session of legislation. Governor Pat Quinn expressed a feeling of urgency when he spoke at the march stating, “This is our hour. This is our moment.”

            The bill was easily passed in the senate more than five months before but, even though it was called to a vote during legislation in May in the Illinois General Assembly, it was never called to the floor. The vote was called up last minute on Tuesday and won with a vote of 61 to 54. It has long been known that Quinn supported this bill and would sign it when it passed. It is now confirmed that he will be signing the bill later this month at the University of Illinois.  In a statement, Quinn said, "Marriage equality is coming to Illinois. I look forward to signing this landmark legislation on November 20 and celebrating a big step forward with the people of Illinois."

 

CANINE FREEDOM

By Elisha French

           In a close vote, Galesburg’s controversial dog ordinance was altered through amendments last week.  The amendments focused on tethering dogs on private property and lengthened the leash required on public property.  The ordinance which had been in final reading has been tabled until the new amendments have been added to the ordinance. 

            Action on the ordinance was dominated by 3^rd Ward Alderman Russell Fleming.  Fleming proposed three amendments to the ordinance.  The first was to remove the requirement that a dog be at all times on a leash or tethered when outside in a private yard.  The second amendment gave the council affirmation power over the animal control officer position.  Finally the third amendment moved the leash length from 6 feet to 8 feet.

            The first amendment would now state that an owner of sound body and mind has to be present with the dog when outside on private property.  2^nd Ward Alderman Wayne Dennis brought up issues presented by the ordinance of being able to enjoy the dog even on public sites like Lake Story.  Even former proponent, 1^st Ward Alderman Ken Goad spoke that the rules on private property restraint were excessive. 

            7^th Ward Alderman Jeremy Karlin spoke for ordinance as written stating that the issues of personal property and public safety have to be weighed and that in his estimation public safety should win.  Karlin chaired the committee responsible for the ordinance.  When asked later if the amendments would hurt the effectiveness, Karlin replied, “To some extent they weaken the ordinance but not fatally so.” 

            While this was going on Galesburg resident Dolly Sprinkle was sitting in the front row with a letter in her hand.  She was visibly upset at the proposed amendments.  When asked why she stated, “It started with a tragedy but so many things have come forward because of this… I saw that (forward progress) happening with these ordinances.  They weren’t perfect but they were better.  To take a step back and say no now.”  The tragedy referred to was the death of seven year old Ryan Maxwell in March due to a dog attack. 

            Sprinkle tried to speak right before the vote but Mayor John Pritchard told her that it was no longer time to have a public discussion.  When asked what she wanted to speak about, she said, “I had a letter from my ten year old son who was friends with Ryan and has been following this closely.  I just wanted to read his letter because that is what I told him I would do.”

            The vote took place and the first new amendment took an initial 4-3 affirmative vote before 4^th Ward Alderman Corine Anderson changed her vote to yes.   The rest of the amendments flew through with relative easy.  The ordinance was then tabled until all changes could be put into writing.  When asked about possibility that the ordinance could now die, Fleming responded, “I don’t think that is going to happen.  I think there is too much support for some of the changes.”

Sprinkle is hopefully for other changes.  “Hopefully someone will come back, maybe Jeremy Karlin, and will try and make the in your yard thing more substantial,” stated Sprinkle.  The ordinance will be back on the table at the City Council meeting on November 18^th at 6:30pm.