Illinois Republicans Look to Cash in on Chick-fil-A Controversy

The Illinois Republican Party is looking to use the recent controversy surrounding fast food chain Chick-Fil-A to raise some cash.

In response to a Chicago Democratic alderman’s attempt to prevent the chain from opening a restaurant in his district, the GOP is now offering their donors $5 Chick-fil-A gift in exchange for a minimum $10 gift to the party. The fundraising pitch was emailed out to party supporters.

Alderman Joe Moreno is blocking approval of a Chick-fil-A on Chicago’s Northwest Side after the restaurant’s president Dan Cathy declared that he opposed the legalization of gay marriage.

GOP Chairman Pat Brady said the party isn’t taking a stance on Cathy’s message, but it is defending his right to say it.

“We’re not defending Chick-fil-A, we’re defending the First Amendment right of free expression and the right of everybody in this state to run their business,” Brady said. “(House Speaker) Michael Madigan and these ‘big city’ Chicago Democrats don’t get it, that this state needs business and we don’t need to be told what to say or what to think.”

Conservative activists are attempting to organize around a Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day on August 1, created by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.