Chicago Man Accused Of Threatening Lawmaker Over Comments On Gay Marriage

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A felony arrest warrant has been issued for a Chicago man accused of threatening a state representative over her controversial comments about same-sex marriages.

Stephen Bona, 49, had been arrested in Wheaton on Monday on a charge of misdemeanor disorderly conduct. He posted bond and was released from custody, but later Monday, prosecutors upgraded the charges to a felony, following a second alleged phone call.

A DuPage County judge issued a $150,000 arrest warrant for Bona on a felony charge of threatening a public official.

Bona allegedly called the office of state Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), and left a threatening message.

Ives said a man "called her office multiple times and made negative personal comments and threatening remarks" regarding her position on gay marriage.

Last month, Ives told a Christian radio show that a same-sex marriage is "a completely disordered relationship."

"They're trying to weasel their way into acceptability so that they can then start to push their agenda down into the schools, because this gives them some sort of legitimacy," Ives said. "And we can't allow that to happen."

"To not have a mother and father is really a disordered state for a child to grow up in, and it really makes that child an object of desire rather than the result of a matrimony," she added.

She later claimed her remarks were misinterpreted.

DuPage County prosecutors allege, at 9:42 a.m. on Friday, Bona called Ives' office and left a threatening message. Prosecutors did not specify what was said on the call, but Ives' office provided a copy of the voice mail to the Daily Herald.

"Your Tea Party brethren Sarah Palin put up a map that included the names, locations and faces of Democratic candidates and put them in the cross hairs of a gun," a caller said in the message. "Perhaps we should do the same for you. We know where you live."

Bona was arrested for making that call, but after he was released, he allegedly made another call, and prosecutors upgraded the charges to a felony. He's due back in court on April 29.

The charge of threatening a public official is punishable by up to five years in prison.

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