Knoll never knew about Madigan when he was a young prodigy, running one of the most respected state-wide LGBT organizations in the nation. He first caught wind of Madigan right when his campaign began.

"I saw news stories about him, and I thought he was interesting," says Knoll, a veteran of TV and film production in Chicago. "I liked what he was saying and I reached out to him."

Knoll is a campaign volunteer and does not get paid for his time. He is simply someone who believes in the cause of getting Jim Madigan elected to the state Senate in Illinois. Knoll says that Madigan's message resonates with him because Jim is a democrat, but he's not a "machine" democrat.

"He's not beholden to the 'machine,'" Knoll told me, referring to the 'rough and tumble Chicago political machine' often referred to in the media across the country. "The Democrats have been in control for eight years, but things in Illinois aren't necessarily better. As a Democrat I want to see something more. I like that Jim's idea go against the standing order. He's the kind of guy that's going to get the ball rolling and get us some change in Springfield."

Madigan, who was endorsed by the Victory Fund helped write the state's first civil unions bill, and has been tireless in his efforts to get relationship recognition for same-gender couples in Illinois. However, despite being introduced in every legislative session for most of this decade, now, the civil unions bill seems to keep getting stuck. Its time to try to make change from the inside.

Madigan's record shows that he is serious about rights--he gave up a lucrative job at a high-paying law firm to do pro bono legal work before joining Lambda Legal and later run the state's largest LGBT rights organization.

"Jim Madigan is committed to seeing civil unions pass. Jim is a true believer." Knoll said.

Knoll also points out that Madigan is not "independently wealthy." Steans, on the other hand, contributed "over $750,000 to campaigns before becoming a candidate herself," Knoll claims.

Running against a rich incumbent is going to be an uphill battle, Knoll admits, but that's part of the reason that he likes Madigan. As Madigan's website says: "You don't have to take a chance that Jim will look out for the working class when he is our State Senator. Jim is working class." Of course, he does teach law at the University of Chicago--one of the nation's best law schools--he's no blue-collar "Bobby-Ray" or anything.

LGBT rights, however, aren't his only priority. Knoll also indicates that he's interested in moving to "a more fair tax system" with a graduated income tax, and an end to raises in the sales tax. He wants to cut down on gambling, create better community policing programs using existing grants and state funds and make it harder for municipalities in budget crunches to sell off assets to private companies out from under the noses of its citizens. According to the campaign, he's also in favor of better health and physical education programs in school and protecting Illinois residents from dangerous concealed weapons.

Madigan's website also lists cleaning up the environment--and the political process--as priorities as well. Madigan protested against Playboy Entertainment's involvement in Chicago city politics while just starting his career and is used to going up against the establishment to get things done. He suffered the consequences for it--he was denied a six-figure salary job after his actions--but he sees it as his duty to fight for what's right. Its obvious Jon Knoll is a fan of this spirit.

Check out Jon Knoll's videos of Jim as they make history at the YouTube channel.