Mendoza campaigns at Sidetrack

State Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago) brought her campaign to win election as city clerk of Chicago to Boystown Jan. 25, stopping at Sidetrack to ask for votes, volunteers and contributions.

"I'm working extremely hard to earn everybody's support," Mendoza told the crowd at Chicago's largest LGBT nightclub.

Mendoza was introduced by state Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), who led the fight to pass civil unions in the Illinois Legislature. Harris praised Mendoza, who's represented a heavily Catholic South Side district in Springfield for 10 years, for being a stalwart supporter of civil unions and other LGBT rights legislation.

"The Catholic Church and Cardinal Francis George pulled out all the stops in trying to defeat marriage equality and civil unions in this state," Harris said. "In my district, for me to stand up and say I'm for LGBT rights would not be considered bravery. To stand up like Susana in the neighborhood she represents, where probably 90 percent of the people attend a Catholic parish, is an act of courage."

Harris said Mendoza has been an advocate not only for LGBTs in the House of Representatives, but for senior citizens, youths and others.

"The woman we're here to hear from tonight is a true leader," Harris said.

Mendoza said she wants to transform the office of city clerk, which keeps city records and issues licenses for businesses, vehicles and pets.

"I know all the attention right now is on the mayor's race," Mendoza said. "But this office can do so much more for people than it has. ...I want to take that office and completely revolutionize it."

Mendoza earned a reputation for independence in the House. She famously defied then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) in 2008, joining with Republicans and a small number of Democratic colleagues to defeat the governor's proposed capital projects bill and calling Blagojevich "a pathological liar" after he criticized her.

Mendoza pledged to maintain that independence as city clerk.

"This is the first time in 20 years that people have the opportunity to elect a city clerk who is completely and totally independent," Mendoza said.

Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) and Equality Illinois co-founder Art Johnston also appeared at the event to support Mendoza.

"I'm a friend and fan of Susana Mendoza," Johnston said. "We have a very important election coming up and we have an opportunity to elect someone who's wonderful."