Antigay Politician Wants to Punish Productions That Hire Smollett

An anti-LGBTQ Illinois lawmaker wants to scare off any film or TV production doing business with out actor Jussie Smollett.

Illinois state Rep. Michael McAuliffe announced plans for legislation that will strip any production employing the Empire actor from receiving tax credits. "Smollett should not be able to get anything more from the City of Chicago or Illinois," McAuliffe said, according to the Chicago Tribune.

McAuliffe announced legislation two days after prosecutors dropped all charges alleging Smollett filed a police report and staged a hate crime.

The decision by the State's Attorney office outraged city and state officials. While prosecutors said Smollett's actions do not threaten public safety, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel called the decision to drop charges a "whitewash of justice."

But McAuliffe's action seeks to punish anyone even associated with Smollett.

"While the State's Attorney has chosen not to pursue justice in this case, we need to send a message that Smollett's actions are not a reflection of the values we have in Chicago and won't be tolerated. His accusations and lies caused a lot of pain to all Chicagoans," the Republican said.

McAuliffe in 2014 told the Daily Herald in 2014 that he opposed marriage equality. "I will not support the legalization of gay marriage in Illinois," he told the paper.

In 2010, he voted against a civil union law, according to the Windy City Times.