Progress Illinois

When Billy Ocasio departed the Chicago City Council for a position in Gov. Pat Quinn's adminstration, he chose Rev. Wilfredo De Jesus, a self-avowed anti-gay activist, as his favored replacement in the 26th Ward.  Mayor Daley will ultimately be the one to select Ocasio's successor and, not suprisingly, the possibility of De Jesus' ascension has sparked protests from the gay community and headlines like this one from NBC Chicago: "Will Daley Appoint A Homophobe?"

The deadline for the appointment is just three weeks away, and as the pressure mounts to bypass De Jesus, the mayor has been sure to emphasize that there are other potential replacemets in the mix. That seems like a clear sign he's feeling the heat from gay rights activists -- including the council's first openly-gay member Ald. Tom Tunney (44th Ward) -- who are emphasizing the Humboldt Park pastor's active opposition to homosexuality and abortion. Kit Duffy, a former City Hall liaison to the gay and lesbian community, thinks there will be political consequences for such an appointment, making it known through the Windy City Times that "If energized by this man's hatred, [gays and lesbians] will most certainly organize in 2010 against anyone who has advocated for this misguided appointment."

In a Tribune article published Tuesday, De Jesus "vowed to not let his religious beliefs influence his policy making."  But activist Julio Rodriguez countered that it's too risky to give De Jesus any control over the city's purse strings, particularly when it comes to funding agencies that serve homosexuals:

Julio Rodriguez, president of the Association of Latino Men for Action, a Chicago gay advocacy group, disputed De Jesus' statements that his religious views are irrelevant when it comes to funding programs or events for gay constituents.

"We don't see how someone who has such a strong foundation with his church can separate his belief system [from] his public role, even though he thinks he can," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez's skepticism is certianly warranted.  Indeed, earlier this year, De Jesus actively lobbied to kill Chicago's first school for openly-gay students, the Social Justice Pride Campus.

Gay rights advocates recently sat down with the pastor to further explores his views. Equality Illinois political director Rick Garcia said they walked away more convinced that that they'll actively oppose his nomination. The Windy City Times reports:

“People asked him very pointed questions about his [church's] Web site, which has a page about homosexuality and how it's sinful and wrong. They asked him if he would change that, and he said absolutely not,” said Rick Garcia of Equality Illinois, who attended the meeting [...]

“I have to say that I don't think he swayed anyone in that room in his favor,” said Garcia.

That certainly doesn't bode well for him.  Stay tuned ...