Local Lawmakers React to Illinois Senate's Passage of Same-Sex Marriage Bill

With the bill legalizing same-sex marriage clearing the Illinois Senate, it's now up to the Illinois House to make it a reality. See how your local senator voted.

Illinois took a giant step closer toward legalized same-sex marriage with the passage of the marriage equality bill – SB 10 – in the Illinois Senate on Thursday afternoon. The Senate passed the bill – with 34 in favor, 21 against and two abstentions. The bill still has one hurdle left to clear when it goes before the Illinois House where it needs 60 votes to pass. See how each member of the Illinois Senate voted, by clicking on the pdf. If passed, the state law defining marriage would be changed from an act between a man and a woman, to two people.  State Sen. Bill Cunningham (18th District) said he initially had reservations about the bill after attempts to pass it during last month's veto session. The Beverly Democrat brought his …

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Freedom Lover

6:43 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013

its all about equality ! you just will not see it the way Jesus would. By the way who would GOD bomb today?   more ›

Cunningham Tops Bellar in 18th District Senate Contest

Bill Cunningham will move from the Illinois House to the Senate after grabbing more than 20,000 vote over his Republican opponent, according to unofficial numbers Tuesday night.

For the second time in as many years, Democrat Bill Cunningham appears to have defeated Republican challenger Barbara Bellar for a legislative seat downstate. For the 18th District Senate seat, Cunningham took in 55,121 votes, compared to Bellar's 31,741 votes, with 183 out of 192 precincts reporting, according to unofficial results. He currently is the 35th District State Representative. Cunningham thanked the voters, who he believes chose him because of his work in the 35th District. "A number of them were able to look at my record in Spring over the last two years and were pleased with what I did in the House," he said. Cunningham remained largely out of the media spotlight during the primary and general election. When asked by Patch, …

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Patch on Politics

'My Life is an Open Book,' GOP Senate Candidate Tells Kadner and Voters

A day after a columnist raises questions about why Barbara Bellar calls herself a nun and where she earned her medical degree, Bellar offers a rebuttal and posts her credentials online.

In a rebuttal to Phil Kadner, the longtime Southtown columnist who tried to ask Senate candidate Barbara Bellar questions about her education and background, Bellar says she suspects Kadner has "significant ulterior motives" in raising the issue. He's "voted Democratic" for the last eight years, says Bellar. Kadner, at a recent candidate forum in Palos Hills, tried to ask the doctor from Burr Ridge who's seeking the 18th Senate District seat why she describes herself as a nun in campaign literature when the prioress of the order says she did not take vows. And he tried to ask her about her medical degree from Mexico. He says she avoided his questions, and that bothered him. Today, Bellar sent a letter to Kadner and the newspaper, and sent …

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Emily

10:52 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Bob - I did what you asked and went to her bio. This is the last sentence. Dr. Bellar served as a Benedictine nun for five years and remains active in her church. This is a false statement. (Maybe not the be active in her church part, but serving as a nun)   more ›

Patch on Politics

Did Barbara Bellar Fib About Being a Nun?

The 18th District Senate candidate says she was a Benedictine nun for five years, but the prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago says otherwise.

“Barbara Bellar, State Senate, There’s ‘Nun’ Better.” Those words are stamped at the top of Republican State Senate candidate Barbara Bellar's website. The play on words reflects the time the 65-year-old Burr Ridge woman spent as a Benedictine nun before earning medical and law degrees.  But Sun-Times Media columnist Phil Kadner has been pressing Bellar — who faces State Rep. Bill Cunningham, a Democrat, for the 18th District Senate seat — for more detail on her background. The district takes in parts of Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Palos Park, Palos Hills and the 19th Ward on the Southwest Side of Chicago. In a column published Tuesday, Kadner writes: ... when asked if she ever took vows of fidelity and obedience she refused to return telephone…

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Patch on Politics

State Senate: The Tribune Tells You Who to Vote For

The Tribune likes two Democrats and one Republican in the Southland's State Senate races. Hutchinson, Cunningham and Montalvo are endorsed.

The editorial board of the Chicago Tribune just wrapped up its endorsements for State Senate candidates, giving the nod to two Democrats and one Republican in Chicago’s south suburban districts — the 18th, 19th and 40th. In the 18th, Barbara Ruth Bellar seems built for Tribune favor — or a talk show — but the endorsement went to Democrat Bill Cunningham. Republican Edgar Montalvo, of Tinley Park, a pro-business underdog, won the paper’s backing over Democrat Michael Hastings of Orland Hills. Both are military men — Montalvo served two Army tours in Iraq; Hastings graduated from West Point and served one tour. And the Trib held its right-leaning nose and gave thumbs up to Democrat Toi Hutchinson in the 40th over Frankfort Republican “Tuck” …

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Bob

8:36 am on Friday, October 26, 2012

Ben, I'm very happy that the staff of the Patch have been able to find gainful employment. You've been more fortunate than about 23 million other Americans during the Obama depression! What you do is give sparks to a fire, and then fan the flames to make it burn. That's fine. But don't forget that the reason people keep coming to the Patch is to see what posters write, not what the "author" …   more ›

Grant Training for Community and Faith-Based Organizations

State Reps. Bill Cunningham (35th) and Kelly Burke (36th) are hosting a free, half-day workshop in partnership with IDHS for non-profit organizations on Sept. 18. Deadline to register is this Friday.

Do you work for a non-profit or faith-based organization? State Representatives Bill Cunningham (35th District) and Kelly Burke (36th District) are partnering with the Illinois Department of Human Services to host a half-day grantsmanship workshop. Representatives from community and faith-based agencies and organizations will learn how to create effective programs or fine-tune an existing programs. The workshop is taught by IDHS representatives and includes: The workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18 at Green Hills Library at 8611 W. 103rd St. in Palos Hills. The workshop is FREE and pre-registration is mandatory. Registration is limited to 40 participants and will be on a first come, first served basis. On-site registration…

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Billable Hours

4:52 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Good point Bobby. Campaigning is the tough part, but it's restful nights being president. Remember republicans stay loyal to the party no matter what, even if it kills the country!   more ›

Senate Hopefuls Share Their Top 3 Issues for the State

Jobs, taxes and other financial troubles are discussed by Republican candidates as the main state-wide challenges to be dealt with if elected.

Republican candidates looking to represent the party in the race for Illinois’ 18th Senate District focused on employment and money when asked what they believe are the top three issues for the entire state. Ricardo Fernandez and Barbara Bellar offered their views during a candidate forum in Beverly Tuesday night. Later on in the night, the two spoke about ethics, the state budget and other topics. Democrat candidate Bill Cunningham, and current 35th District State House Representative, is also vying for the 18th District seat. He is running unopposed in the March 20 primary. Read our Election Central page for information on other races, questionnaire responses and polling locations.

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St. Xavier's National Championship Football Team Will Be Honored at Assembly

Local and state legislators will join in historic celebration of St. Xavier University's national championship football season.

Some political bigwigs want to meet and greet Saint Xavier University’s football big wigs. State senator Ed Maloney, congressman Dan Lipinski, city alderman Matt O’Shea and state representatives Kelly Burke and Bill Cunningham will join St. Xavier president Christine Wiseman at a special assembly to honor the Cougars’ national championship football team. The assembly will be at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday (Jan. 17) at Saint Xavier’s Shannon Center, 3700 West 103rd Street. “It’s going to be one of the greatest afternoons in the history of SXU athletics,” Saint Xavier athletic director Bob Hallberg said in a news release. “We anticipate a large turnout from the community as well as the university faculty, staff and especially students as we celebrate …

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