UPDATE X1: The platform committee's recommendations passed 11 to 7. Petitions are being circulated now among the Committee members that opposed the recommendations to have a Minority Report be brought before the Illinois convention delegates on Saturday. Those working on the effort must gather 50 signatures of delegation leaders – such as county chairmen, township and ward committeemen to get a floor vote.
PEORIA – After over two hours of discussion and debate, the members of the Illinois Republican Party's platform committee voted to drop the party's opposition to same sex marriage.
Schaumburg Township GOP Committeeman Ryan Higgins made the motion to remove the language. Voting for changing the party's platform to adopt the new wording were platform committee members representing the 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 17 and 18 CDs.
Voting against changing the wording were committee members from the 9,10,11,12,13,15 and 16 CDs.
The member representing the 3rd CD abstained on the vote.
The platform committee's recommendation will proceed to the convention floor for a delegate vote on Saturday.
State Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) observed the committee's proceedings, and issued a statement immediately after the vote.
“Today's action by a narrow majority of the platform committee to redefine marriage followed a flawed, closed-door process that excluded and marginalized the deeply held beliefs of a majority of Illinois Republicans," Breen said.
"New amendments were sprung on the public, and minority committee members, at the last minute, following secret meetings. These tactics are the hallmark of Mike Madigan and Illinois Democrats, not the party of Lincoln. Republican Convention delegates deserve a full debate and a fair vote on their platform, including the definition of marriage. The credibility of the Illinois Republican Party is at stake.”
A delegation from the Illinois House Republicans joined Breen's outrage in a statement issued Friday morning HERE. Congressman John Shimkus also called for the committee to maintain the 2012 wording.
