By Will Stevenson/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – Where do the three Republicans looking to be the next 18th District Congressman stand on gay marriage?

At a debate Monday hosted by the Springfield State Journal-Register, Quincy Blogger Mike Flynn says Congress needs to protect churches that don’t want to perform same-sex marriages.

“[Congress] has got to pass legislation that prevents the IRS from reviewing the tax-exempt status of churches and other institutions that do not allow or recognize same-sex marriage,” says Flynn.

State Sen. Darin LaHood says he’s also against it, and what it’s done to charity in Illinois.

“Catholic Charities and Lutheran Social Services have been run out of business in the state,” says LaHood. “Religious liberty is being harmed in the State of Illinois, and by many of the liberals in Washington, D.C.”

And Benson, Illinois’ Donald Reints says you could still try to change the law.

“For the Supreme Court ruling to have passed, how do you defeat it once it goes there?” Reints asks. “You can try to pass an amendment, yes.”

For the Affordable Care Act, Flynn says it needs to be repealed, LaHood says Republicans need to start taking the lead if they want to change or repeal it, and Flynn says non-profit and religious groups need protection should they want to opt out.

Reints and Flynn are opposed to high-speed rail, while LaHood says it needs to be analyzed how it will work on the open marketplace.