DNAinfo Chicago: Policy Talk with U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley: Marriage Equality, Gun Trafficking

The following is a copy of an article and a transcription of a video that originally apperaed on DNAinfo Chicago on August 29, 2012. The video and the article can be found here.

By: Jackie Kostec

CHICAGO " In the second installment of DNAinfo's in-studio interview with U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, the congressman dished on the most pressing issues for his Chicago constituents, including some Lakeview, Lincoln Park and Portage Park residents.

Quigley, who represents Illinois' 5th District, said he wished Congress had struck down the Defense of Marriage Act " which outlawed gay marriage " before the Supreme Court made the landmark decision to reverse it.

When it comes to gun trafficking, he recalled a time when former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich had called out Chicago for struggling with gun violence and gun trafficking despite having strict laws in the city.

For Quigley's response to the former speaker and to hear what he has to say about other current hot-button issues in Congress, watch the video.

Jackie Kostec: You are watching DNAinfo Chicago's video update. I'm Jackie Kostec and I'm joined by our Lincoln Park reporter, Paul Biasco. We are excited to welcome our guest Illinois Congressman Mike Quigley. His district, district five, includes parts of Chicago neighborhoods, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and Portage Park. So Congressman, thanks for joining us.

Rep. Mike Quigley: Thanks for having me

Jackie Kostec: So tell us what you have been up to since you have been home form D.C. this summer?

Rep. Mike Quigley: It's a busy time. Chicago is busy enough as it is. Catching up with friends and family is always nice. Going to some of the best restaurants in the world. I'm a happy guy.

Paul Biasco: Well it's good to be back. Some of the issues that you have been working on nationally that affect this district specifically...I know LGBT rights and I know Halsted Days over in Lakeview, a couple weeks ago you were there doing some faux weddings.

Rep. Mike Quigley: I got to officiate weddings! I think there were 12 couples living in sin right now. I'm not a minister but obviously we were sending a message. We were messaging about marriage equality, which is extraordinarily important. It bothers me a great deal that dear friends and family of mine who very much like to be wed are not allowed the same protections under the law. We are hoping that Illinois gets there. It's a shame that Congress couldn't get to the point of repealing DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act and we had to rely on the courts. This country has a long history of the Courts pushing equality before Congress does.

Paul Biasco: So what was it like being out on the street, doing those ceremonies, or whatever you want to call them? And just hearing from people?

Rep. Mike Quigley: You know, it was very sweet. You got to hear people's intimate reasons why this matters to them. What it means to not just to them but to their families and children. I told them I was sorry I felt like I had to apologize on behalf of our government for being behind. I certainly hope the state of Illinois and the country gets behind equality soon.

Paul Biasco: Another issue that hits Chicago pretty hard is gun trafficking. You've been heavily involved in some of that legislation. This summer it's kind of up in the air...crime stats. What are your thoughts?

Rep. Mike Quigley: It's unacceptable. It's fascinating to me, in Congress, I'm on the appropriations committee and I see firsthand how we are funding our Department of Defense. What's striking is that we are about 20 years behind the time. We are funding a Cold War, through funding nuclear weapons for example and massive troop deployment in Eastern Europe. So we are funding a Cold War, which does not exist anymore. And we are nto funding the hot war, which is taking place on streets across the streets in this city and this country every night. We have people, young people, children, being killed by gun fire. Abd we are not funding grants to hire more police. Chicago could use a several thousand more police and we would all be safer as a result.

Paul Biasco: So when these discussions are happening, does Chicago ever come up specifically? What do you hear?

Rep. Mike Quigley: For example, former Speaker Gingrich said, "Well, Chicago has gun protection, strong gun protection, but people are still being killed, so those laws don't help." I reminded the former speaker that we don't have a Berlin type wall surrounding Chicago and there is a free and unfortunate illegal trafficking of guns that takes place on a daily basis, bring a tremendous number of guns into the heart of Chicago. So, Chicago is often used as an example. Unfortunately they sometimes play fast and loose with the facts of what is actually taking place.

Jackie Kostec: Thanks so much Congressman and we appreciate you being here. Have a safe trip back, I guess, in the next week or two.

Rep Mike Quigley: Thanks so much. Take care.

Jackie Kostec: And thanks so much for joining us. For a look at the day's top story, for more local neighborhood news, go to DNainfo.com/Chicago