A little more than two years ago, the Illinois General Assembly took a carefully measured step toward marriage equality, the full legal recognition of committed partnerships, regardless of the parties’ sexual orientation. With that vote in December 2010, Illinois became the sixth state to recognize civil unions, extending many of the rights and benefits of […]
Editorial: Time for state House to join tide of history on rights
February 18, 2013 By
By The Daily Herald Editorial Board The Illinois Senate has done its part to advance the notion of human rights in Illinois. Now it’s up to the state House. Debated in the legislature and around the country for more than a year, the arguments for same-sex marriage should by now be clear: Gay couples should […]
Editorial: The best kind of Valentine’s gift
February 15, 2013 By
ust two years ago Illinois made history by allowing for civil unions, but same-sex marriage was a distant, misty dream. Supporters wouldn’t even dare call it for a vote. On Thursday — yes, Valentine’s Day — Illinois senators showed just how far we’ve come in accepting love wherever it blooms. Thirty-four senators — a majority […]
Obama urging state lawmakers to legalize gay marriage in Illinois
December 30, 2012 By
WASHINGTON–President Barack Obama is urging the Illinois General Assembly to legalize gay marriage in his home state as lawmakers are poised to take up the measure as early as this week in Springfield. “While the president does not weigh in on every measure being considered by state legislatures, he believes in treating everyone fairly and […]
Editorial: Legalize gay marriage now
December 17, 2012 By
It’s time for gay marriage in Illinois. Not in the distant future. Not in the near future. But now. Backers of a same-sex marriage bill announced last week that they were “within striking” distance of the votes needed to pass the “Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act” in the Illinois Legislature. They hope to pull […]
Supporters say they’re close to passing gay marriage in Illinois
December 13, 2012 By
By Ray LongClout Street12:25 p.m. CST, December 13, 2012SPRINGFIELD — Gay marriage supporters said today they have moved to “within striking distance” of collecting enough votes to pass a bill in early January. Sen. Heather Steans and Rep. Greg Harris unveiled plans to take up the measure in the closing days of the current General Assembly […]
Advocates: State could OK gay marriage
November 19, 2012 By
By SARA BURNETT The Associated Press Emboldened by recent victories at the polls and what they see as rapidly shifting attitudes in favor of gay rights, supporters say Illinois is ready to become the next state to allow same-sex marriage _ though they acknowledge it won’t be easy, even with Democratic majorities in Springfield. Voters […]
The Daily Kos: Marriage Equality Legislation for Illinois
February 9, 2012 By
Wed Feb 08, 2012 at 02:02 PM PST Greg Harris (D) introduces marriage equality legislation for Illinois by JGibsonFollow Share3 permalink 3 Comments Looks like marriage equality may be coming to Illinois sooner than we think, if Greg Harris gets his way. My previous diary mentioned that it wouldn’t come earlier than 2013: Could Illinois […]