Peraica denies flip-flop on gay rights amendment

A Cook County Commissioner who once voted against domestic partnership benefits for gay county employees changed his stance Tuesday and voted for an amendment to the ordinance.

Republican Anthony Peraica, who is running for Cook County state's attorney against Democrat Anita Alvarez, voted for what was largely a technical amendment to the ordinance. The change simply eliminated the possibility that domestic partners now receiving county benefits could be cut off if they marry in California, where gay marriage is now legal.

When the benefits package was first passed, Peraica voted against the measure, earning him the ire of the gay community, which contributed to his loss against Todd Stroger for county board president in 2006.

So does Tuesday's vote signal a shift in his philosophy on gay rights?

Nope, says Peraica.

"I voted against the creation of this (ordinance) because I felt that it would create a situation that was inconsistent with state (marriage) statutes, that we cannot change state statutes," said Peraica. "This change here - is really cosmetic in nature."

"With respect to day's vote, - it's clear that Commissioner Peraica demonstrated a willingness to flip flop if he feels it provides him with a political advantage," said Sally Daly, a spokeswoman for Alvarez.

At least two conservatives on the board, however, still found the ordinance objectionable. Republicans Gregg Goslin of Glenview - who represents Palatine, Barrington and other northwest suburbs - and Liz Gorman of Orland Park - who represents portions of Des Plaines and Arlington Heights - voted against the amendment. Republican Tim Schneider of Bartlett voted for the amendment.

And the change in stance by Peraica was different enough to also draw the praise of gay rights advocate Rick Garcia of Equality Illinois.

"I'm just glad he did the right thing," said Garcia, who said he has met and discussed politics and gay rights issues with Peraica for a long time.

Peraica, said Garcia, is typical of politicians who find support in their home district by voting against gay rights, but then find they need to adjust their politics when they try to run before a broader audience.

"If you're a committeeman or alderman - sometimes you can get by with an antiquated voting record, but you cannot run countywide. Certainly you can't run statewide," said Garcia.

So does that mean Garcia will be voting for Peraica?

Not likely.

While Equality Illinois PAC does not endorse in county races, Garcia and fellow board members have all individually endorsed Alvarez, he said.

Peraica said the gay rights issue is a distraction designed to take the focus off political corruption in Cook County. The state's attorney's office for decades has turned a blind eye to political corruption in its own backyard while the U.S. attorney is able to uncover felony after felony, he said.

"The race for Cook County state's attorney is about who will do the best job; who will provide the most political independence - and Ms. Alvarez would be in the same vein (as the current state's attorney)," he charged.

Statements like that, said Daly, "are simply a ploy to attempt to raise his profile."