SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gay marriage has cleared a first hurdle to becoming law in Illinois after approval in a state Senate committee.
The Senate Executive Committee passed the legislation Thursday, sending it to the full Senate. It wasn't clear when that vote would take place.
If the measure becomes law, Illinois would become the 10th state to approve same-sex marriage. It would be the first state to adopt it after momentum built following several successes across the nation in the November election and public encouragement from President Barack Obama.
Advocates are pushing for full gay marriage rights just 18 months after the state recognized civil unions.
Many faith organizations are opposed on religious freedom grounds, arguing the proposal would compel them to treat same-sex unions as the equivalent of traditional marriage.
Copyright © 2012 Associated Press
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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A Senate committee has started considering a landmark bill that could make Illinois the 10th state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage.
Hundreds of people have submitted comments for and against the measure.
Among those who came to Springfield to testify Thursday in favor of the measure are Mercedes Santos and Theresa Volpe. The Chicago women have been together 21 years and have two children. Volpe says while the couple has a civil union, a hospital administrator once refused to let her into their son's room because she and Santos aren't married.
Volpe says they shouldn't have to show paperwork to prove they are a family.
Opponents have said same-sex marriage is against the "natural order."
Copyright © 2012 Associated Press
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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says he supports gay marriage in Illinois.
Durbin sent an open letter Thursday to the Illinois General Assembly, which is considering same-sex marriage legislation this week. Durbin called it an issue of "historic importance" and urged members of the Legislature to vote to approve gay marriage. Durbin says he wants his home state to be "part of the emerging national consensus on this issue of justice."
If approved, the legislation would make Illinois the tenth state to approve gay marriage. Illinois already has civil unions.
Copyright © 2012 Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois Senate Democrats delayed a floor vote today on legislation to legalize gay marriage.
However legislation sponsor state Sen. Heather Steans expressed confidence there would be enough votes to pass it soon. Steans says two supportive Democrats and a Republican were missing from the General Assembly's lame-duck session. She says that forced her to pull back from pressing the issue. But she says the delay would only push a vote into next week or, at the latest, soon after the new Legislature is sworn in Jan. 9.
Democrats hold a 35-24 majority in the Senate, but not every member is on board with extending marriage rights to same-sex couples.
The plan would remove from state law a prohibition on marriage between two people of the same sex. It comes just 18 months after Illinois recognized civil unions.
Copyright © 2012 Associated Press
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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois Senate Democrats are delaying a vote on a plan that would make the state the 10th in the nation to legalize gay marriage.
A spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton tells The Associated Press the proposal to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples will get a committee hearing Thursday but there aren't currently enough votes to pass it on the floor.
Spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon says she doesn't know how many votes there are for the plan or when it might be called. Some Democrats were not in attendance Thursday. Phelon says no Republicans supported it.
Cullerton's Democrats have 35 seats in the Senate - five more votes than needed for passage.
The Legislature is in lame-duck session until Jan. 9, when the new session is sworn-in.
Copyright © 2012 Associated Press
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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The chairman of the Illinois Republican Party says support for gay marriage is "the most conservative position" because it keeps government out of personal lives.
Pat Brady says he has been calling Republican lawmakers for several weeks seeking support for the measure sponsored by Democrats.
Related Story: Setback for bid to legalize gay marriage in Illinois, but Senate could vote Thursday
Brady is at odds on the issue with not only his political party but his church - he's Catholic and bishops in the state are strongly opposed to marriage equality.
Supporters expect the issue to get a vote before the Executive Committee late this morning.
Brady says he's had mixed reactions to his lobbying but believes there are enough Senate votes to OK the legislation.
He says gay marriage is "an issue of equality and we're the party of Lincoln."
Copyright © 2012 Associated Press
