Tag: Illinois

Posted on

Illinois: Gov. Quinn says it’s time to vote on marriage equality

Gov. Pat Quinn of Illinois tells reporters “it’s time to vote”:

“Illinois passing marriage equality into law, I think, sends a great signal to the people of our state and the people of America,” Quinn told reporters after appearing at a ceremony in Springfield honoring firefighters. “So, it’s important that Illinois and the House of Representatives get moving.

“I believe a majority exists to get this bill passed through the House onto my desk so I can sign it into law.”

“I think, you know, it’s time to vote,” Quinn said. “We’ve waited now three months, and it’s, I think, plenty of time for people to reflect on it. And now it’s time to pass it.”

Posted on

Illinois: GOP State rep. Ed Sullivan Jr supports marriage equality

First we got Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk’s evolution to marriage equality

And now comes word that we have the support of Rep. Ed Sullivan Jr.

The Illinois House Republican came around to support same-sex marriage over the weekend, citing his gay mother-in-law as the impetus for his decision.

The Chicago Tribune reports:

State Rep. Ed Sullivan Jr., who is chairman of the House Republican campaign organization, said his decision to back same-sex marriage represented a personal and family evolution on the issue. Previously an opponent of civil unions, Sullivan told the Tribune that his mother-in-law, who lives in the southwest suburbs, has been in a same-sex relationship. “The first reaction from people might be, ‘Well he might be voting for that just because of his mother-in-law,'” Sullivan said. “The reality is, because my mother-in-law is gay, I have more of an understanding and familiarity with same-sex couples.”

A state representative since 2003, Sullivan and state Rep. Ron Sandack of Downers Grove are the only House Republicans to publicly announce their backing of the same-sex marriage bill, which already passed the state Senate.

According to Rep. Sullivan, the Illinois House is still 12 or so votes shy of passing marriage equality.

But that could all change very quickly. “There is tremendous momentum leading up to this vote. I think we’re very close,” he said. “There’s many of my colleagues that have talked about this, that have said it’s the right thing to do.”

Posted on

Illinois: GOP Sen. Mark Kirk supports marriage equality

Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) has announced his support for marriage equality.

From Buzzfeed:

“When I climbed the Capitol steps in January, I promised myself that I would return to the Senate with an open mind and greater respect for others,” Kirk wrote on his blog.

“Same-sex couples should have the right to civil marriage. Our time on this earth is limited, I know that better than most. Life comes down to who you love and who loves you back– government has no place in the middle.”

Kirk is the second sitting Republican Senator to endorse marriage equality, following Ohio Republican Sen. Rob Portman last month.

Posted on

Chicago Mayor urges marriage equality supporters to contact their state reps

In the home stretch for marriage equality in Illinois, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is reaching out to his supporters to turn up the heat on lawmakers in Springfield.

From the Sun-Times:

“The clock is ticking. The House is poised to vote… in the coming days. And I know from talking with several of my friends in Springfield that some members of the House still haven’t decided which way they’ll vote,” Emanuel wrote in a personalized email to supporters Monday.

“If we’re going to pass this bill, it’s crucial that members of the House hear from marriage supporters every single day until the freedom to marry becomes law in Illinois.” [snip]

“It’s time for the laws of our state to reflect the values of our people. It’s time for Illinois to take the lead,” the mayor wrote.

“Real change happens when citizens stand strong, tell their stories and urge their lawmakers to do what’s right….What happens in the next week is up to you. Let’s do what it takes to bring home a victory for the thousands of Illinois families who are counting on us right now.”

There are reports that supporters are still looking for the votes needed to pass the bill in the House.

Click here to find your state representative.

Posted on

Illinois: state House committee votes 6-5 in favor of marriage equality

One more step and Illinois could celebrate marriage equality as law in the land of Lincoln.

From Chicago Phoenix:

The Illinois House Executive Committee voted 6-5 to approve a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage Tuesday evening, sending the bill to a vote in the full House chamber, the bill’s last hurdle before becoming law.

“This is a wonderful moment for the State of Illinois,” said Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), the bill’s chief sponsor in the House, moments after the committee victory.

“I look forward to a successful vote in the full House,” he said.

Illinois would join nine other states that have legalized same-sex marriage – Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Connecticut, Vermont, Washington, New Hampshire, New York and Massachusetts.

If passed, Governor Pat Quinn has said he will sign it.

Posted on

Illinois: state House committee to consider marriage equality bill today

The Illinois House Executive Committee will consider SB 10 (the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act)  at 3 pm CST today.

The Chicago Phoenix reports:

The committee vote is the next hurdle the bill must overcome on its path to becoming law and needs at least six votes there before it is cleared to hit the full House floor.
Advocates are expecting success in the committee, which comprises seven Democrats and four Republicans, but anticipate a tougher road to the 60 “yes” votes required to pass the measure in the full House.

The Illinois Senate passed the bill on Valentine’s Day in a 34-21 vote.

Posted on

Illinois: 50% support marriage equality bill vs 20% oppose

Good news today from Crain’s Business as they report solid poll results for marriage equality in Illinois:

The survey of 600 adults found that 50 percent support the gay-marriage bill that cleared the state Senate last week and now awaits action in the House. That’s considerably more than the 29 percent who oppose it, with 20 percent saying they don’t know or have mixed feelings on the matter.

As expected, support is strongest in Chicago, with 56 percent backing passage. A majority of 52 percent of suburban residents supports approval, but support drops to a plurality of 48 percent downstate.

The online survey had an accuracy rate of plus or minus 4.7 percent statewide, with wider ranges for numbers specific to Chicago or its suburbs.

Posted on

Illinois: Chicago Tribune urges House to pass marriage equality bill

Strong editorial in the Chicago Tribune urging the Illinois House to do as their Senate counterparts did last week and pass marriage equality.

Excerpt from the editorial:

Allowing same-sex couples to wed under the law would not devalue traditional marriage. It would affirm the bedrock values that underlie and sustain such unions.

Marriage promotes stable families, safeguards the interests of children and rewards committed relationships.

Recognizing same-sex marriages demonstrates respect for personal freedoms and keeps government out of the intimate affairs of citizens. More people in same-sex relationships are adopting or giving birth to children; this provides the security of a legal commitment for those children. It’s the fair thing to do.

It’s also smart politics. Support for gay marriage has been building steadily: A 1996 Gallup poll found 27 percent of Americans in favor of allowing same-sex couples to wed; now it’s at 50 percent with a bullet, since the strongest support comes from younger voters.

Public opinion is shifting with remarkable speed. In November, voters in Maine, Maryland and Washington approved referendums allowing gay marriage, and in Minnesota, voters rejected a constitutional amendment to ban it.

That support has been building in Springfield, too, as evidenced by the Senate vote. Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady announced his support for same-sex marriage, prompting an attempt by some conservatives to oust him from the party post. That attempt failed. Undeterred by the risk of repercussions, Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, also a Republican, recently urged lawmakers to “go for it.”

Ladies and gentlemen of the House, it’s your turn to step up.