ACLU Hires Former Illinois GOP Head To Lobby For Gay Marriage

By Chuck Sudo in News on Aug 27, 2013 7:35PM

Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady, who resigned in May after a firestorm erupted over his public support of marriage equality in the Land of Lincoln, has been hired by the American Civil Liberties Union as a lobbyist for same-sex marriage.

WBEZ reports the ACLU hired Next Generation Public Affairs, a public relations and lobbying form Brady founded after he resigned as head of the state GOP. He’ll focus on lobbying Republicans in the Illinois Legislature and leverage the donor connections he cultivated during his time as state GOP chairman to raise money for pro-gay marriage groups. Brady told the Sun-Times he believes there’s a chance for the measure, which wasn’t even called for a vote in the Legislature’s spring session, to be passed during the upcoming veto session.

“Illinois is one of the top priority states, urgency-wise.” I’m working for them at their direction. I’m concentrating on Republicans and like-minded people. I’m excited to work with this group. It’s a great organization. I think it’s going to get done this time, I’m really excited about it.”

Brady will have his work cut out for him. Only one Republican state Senator voted for the legislation during a symbolic Valentine’s Day vote but he has long claimed there are more supporters in the party who need coaxing and don’t need to fear retribution from the GOP elders who tried to oust Brady after he announced his support for the legislation.

“I think the very core of the conservative movement, which I consider myself a part of, is application of equality under the law for all,” Brady told WBEZ.