The Gay Pride Parade is one of the most important places for a Chicago politician to be seen. And we saw a lot of politicians on Sunday. Here are the ones who made the biggest impressions:
- Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, dressed in her usual Miss Jane Hathaway get-up of button-down blouse and skirt, flinging beads into the crowd with a gummy smile on her face.
- County Commissioner Jeff Tobolinski, his name on a tie-dyed rainbow banner.
- Cook County Clerk of Circuit Court Dorothy Brown, waving a rainbow flag.
- Gov. Pat Quinn, at the head of a brigade of marchers wearing green “QUINN” t-shirts, behind him a sign demanding, “SEND GOV. QUINN THE BILL. MARRIAGE EQUALITY NOW.”
- Congressman Mike Quigley, in a Blackhawks jersey.
- Ald. Scott Waguespack, his name on a Ford F150 with the motto, “WE MARCH FOR EQUALITY.”
- Ald. Joe Moreno, sponsoring a “pedal pub,” a rolling bar powered by a dozen cyclists.
- Police Supt. Garry McCarthy, riding in an open convertible, followed by L.G.P.A.-GOAL OFFICERS, a float manned by gay cops.
- Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, followed by a van playing Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky.”
- Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Debra Shore, riding on a blue float labeled “Deep Tunnel.”
- Ald. Joe Moore, marching ahead of Illinois United for Marriage, holding “WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE FREEDOM TO MARRY” sign.
- State Sen. Mike Freirichs of Champaign, who is considering a run for state treasurer and wants to get his name out in Chicago.
- Comptroller and gay icon Judy Baar Topinka, the only Republican we spotted, riding in a Cooper Mini convertible.
- Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, sitting atop a float announcing she “SALUTES PRIDE MONTH AND THE L.G.B.T. COMMUNITY.”
- Shirtless men in briefs gyrating to “Chelsea Dagger” on Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart’s float. (The sheriff was not among them.)
- “WE CAN’T WAIT TO MARRY YOU” – Cook County Clerk David Orr.
