Illinois GOP Wants To Fire Chairman For His Support Of Marriage Equality

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Feb 22, 2013 11:00PM

Members of the Illinois Republican Party are moving to oust Chairman Pat Brady for his support of marriage equality.

Brady voiced support for gay marriage in January, and at the time, other Republicans called for his resignation. Party committeemen tried to take him down, but didn't have enough votes to do so.

When the Illinois State Senate voted in support of marriage equality on Valentine's, the measure had the support of only one Republican senator. Brady responded by saying his party is "on the wrong side of history."

"I think there was a lot more support than could actually vote for it," said Brady. "I understand people have to vote their districts."

Today Brady told Crain's that he's been notified that his rival state Sen. and 14th District Committeeman Jim Oberweis now has the signatures to call a special meeting of GOP leaders to vote on the issue.

Crain's writes:

Mr. Brady said he believes he has the votes to keep his job — an unpaid position — but that even if he doesn't, he has "no regrets" about supporting a pending bill to allow same-sex marriage in Illinois. The measure has cleared the Senate and is awaiting a House vote.

"Absolutely not," Mr. Brady replied when I asked if he's willing to change his mind. "The more and more I talk to people, the more I'm convinced. This (allowing same-sex marriage) is the right thing to do."

Brady says he won't be attending the special session because he has a previously planned trip.