SPRINGFIELD – In 1998, Senator Don Harmon’s hometown of Oak Park was first in the nation to establish a domestic partner registry by ballot referendum. Today, Senator Harmon joined the local gay and lesbian community in celebrating the Illinois Senate’s historic passage of legislation legalizing same-sex marriage in the state.

Harmon, the lead co-sponsor of 2009 legislation authorizing civil unions in Illinois, said that while the unions have been a step in the right direction, they don’t provide the full legal protection, social recognition or religious blessings of marriage.

“Couples in loving, committed relationships should be able to declare, with pride and dignity, that they are married. They should be able to enjoy both the celebration and the commitment that accompany marriage. If we’re serious about extending equal rights to same-sex couples, we must approve gay marriage in Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD – State Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement on the Illinois Senate’s vote to expand Medicaid coverage to more than 300,000 people, an expansion that will be 100 percent paid for by the federal government in its first three years and at least 90 percent covered after that.

“Today, the Illinois Senate said that hundreds of thousands of uninsured people deserve access to health care. We’ve told them that we value them as human beings and that they shouldn’t have to rely on emergency rooms for routine care. I firmly believe that we are doing the right thing, and I urge the House and the governor to take action on this plan as soon as possible.

“Not only are we doing the right thing by providing coverage for low-income people who currently don’t have it, we’re doing the smart thing. Providing access to primary and preventive care in physicians’ offices and community health centers is a far more rational approach to health care than relying on high-cost emergency room visits for more routine matters. We’re helping people live healthier lives and avoid hospital stays that can impose heavy costs on them and on all taxpayers.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement in response to the passing of former State Comptroller and Senator Dawn Clark Netsch:

“Dawn Clark Netsch’s death is a huge loss for the state of Illinois. She will be long remembered for her leadership in Illinois government, and for never letting any barrier stand in her way.  She was an important voice for progressive causes when Phil Rock was Senate president, and that made her part of our extended Oak Park family.  We supported her when she won her race for Comptroller and when she was the first woman to run for governor in a general election. I know I wouldn’t be where I am now without her. She was one of my earliest boosters.  Even in retirement, she stayed engaged.  We served together on the campaign finance reform task force, and to the very end she kept us all honest and focused.  We will miss her greatly, and should all strive to live up to her legacy.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), Chair of the Illinois Senate Executive Committee, defeated a thinly veiled attempt by Republican legislators to disenfranchise voters by requiring them to present a state-issued photo ID on Election Day.

“Voters already have an ID card,” Harmon said. “It’s called a voter registration card. Election judges don’t need to see another form of ID. We should be making it easier for American citizens to vote, not harder.”

Three Republican senators filed legislation that would require voters to show a state-issued photo ID before they are allowed to cast their ballots, such as a driver’s license or another form of identification with a photo. Though they claim their plan is an anti-fraud measure, its primary effect would be to disenfranchise voters who – for whatever reason – don’t have a state-issued photo ID card. The majority of voters affected would be seniors and minorities because these groups are less likely to have state-issued IDs than others. According to an AARP report, 11 percent of American adults don’t have a photo ID, including one in five citizens over the age of 65.

SPRINGFIELD – A group of nine Illinois State Senators have banded together to promote the interests of Illinois’ second-biggest county. Their first goal: giving the county board the authority to consolidate smaller levels of local government.

“DuPage County is a unique part of the state,” said Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), founder and co-chair of the new DuPage County Caucus. “Many of its communities have similar concerns and expect similar things from state government. I thought it was important for all the senators who represent the area to discuss these issues and form an advocacy plan.”

DuPage County is represented by a diverse group of state senators who belong to both political parties. In addition to Harmon, who serves as President Pro Tempore, the DuPage County Caucus includes Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), the Senate Republican Leader. The other members of the caucus are Co-Chair Michael Connelly (R-Wheaton), Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park), Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont), Linda Holmes (D-Aurora), Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge), Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) and Jim Oberweis (R-North Aurora).