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Tag: rahm emanuel

  • Jimmy Fallon Takes Polar Plunge in Lake Michigan

    Jimmy Fallon and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel took the Polar Plunge into Lake Michigan on Sunday morning. Fallon promised the mayor if he appeared on his show in New York City that he would come to Chicago to take the big cold plunge.

    Emanuel, who wore a green Chicago Public Library T-shirt and shorts, went first. Jimmy Fallon followed immediately after–clad in his usual suit and tie.

    The annual event raises money for Special Olympics in Chicago, and draws thousands of participants every year. Lots of fans carried pictures of Jimmy Fallon on signs–clearly excited that the new Tonight Show host was participating in the event in their city. The Polar Plunge takes place in cities all over the United States where the weather gets below freezing in the winter time.

    Special Olympics Chicago President Jen Kramer credits both Jimmy Fallon and Rahm Emanuel for attracting more than 3000 participants for this year’s event. That was more than 700 over last years total.

    Jimmy Fallon joked during his show on Wednesday that he agreed to make the plunge before realizing what it actually entailed. He also said Emanuel told him he had to “toughen up” before Emanuel would appear on his show. The comedian’s followers egged him to do it with a #JimmyPlungeWithUs campaign that took place on Twitter.

    Jimmy Fallon is such a wonderful sport. It’s unlikely that his fans doubted for a minute that he would take place in the Polar Plunge in Chicago. Even if his fans hadn’t created the Twitter campaign, Fallon likely would have jumped in that freezing cold water anyway.

    It’s wonderful that his presence drew even more people to this year’s event. That means that much more money was raised for Special Olympics. Children and young adults with a variety of disabilities benefit from the Special Olympics. The funds raise help with training as well as with the actual event.

    Image via Instagram

  • Illinois Legalizes Same Sex Marriage: Signed Into Law On Wednesday

    In an effort to join the rest of the states that are becoming more progressive, Illinois has jumped on the same-sex bandwagon. On Wednesday, Governor Pat Quinn signed it into law, allowing same-sex couples to be married, and enjoy all of the same benefits that heterosexual couples have been getting since the institution of marriage began.

    The same-sex weddings would be able to start next summer, and the decision makes Illinois the 16th state to legalize same-sex marriage.

    The trend is certainly catching on, and a time where much of the country allows same-sex couples to be married cannot be too far away.

    In becoming the 16th state, Illinois follows Hawaii, who recently legalized same-sex marriage on November 12th, and the law will go into effect on December 2nd.

    Pat Quinn, as Governor, also realizes that it is partly his job to set an example in his state, which might help others follow suit. He reiterates this when stating “We understand in our state that part of our unfinished business is to help other states in the United States of America achieve marriage equality.”

    Illinois is a state where same-sex was bound to happen eventually, due to it being a state where Democrats lead both legislative chambers and the governor’s office. Civil Unions were also legalized in 2011, however the road to legalize same-sex marriage was not as easy as some people might think, since with this issue, there are always going to be some people who oppose it.

    The law was of course fought hard by some of the state’s most well-known religious leaders, but luckily with a push in the final days from Pat Quinn and House Speaker Michael Madigan, the bill was able to be signed into law.

    Mayor Rahm Emanuel gave a strong statement in support of the law when saying “There is no straight or gay marriage in Illinois. There is only marriage.”

    Illinois legalizing same-sex marriage is a big step in the right direction for human rights nationwide, and after becoming the 16th state to do so, they are likely to set an example for many more to follow in their footsteps.

    Image via Youtube