ILLINOIS: Civil Unions On Fast Track

Thanks to the election of pro-gay Gov. Pat Quinn, a civil unions bill may be presented in the Illinois legislature as soon as this Tuesday when lawmakers return after the election break.

During the gubernatorial campaign, Governor Pat Quinn said he favored civil unions. "We have legislation in Illinois very close to passage," said Quinn during an appearance at Market Days in August. "I believe we can pass that this year." Quinn restated his support for the measure on Wednesday and now some lawmakers say the vote could happen soon. "I think we're awfully darned close," openly gay Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) told the Chicago Sun-Times. Last year a house bill, co-sponsored by Harris, to allow civil unions in Illinois was successfully voted out of committee, but never came up for a full vote. Equality Illinois, which endorsed Quinn, has renewed the push and remains optimistic that the bill can get enough votes to succeed by the end of the year.

A recent Chicago Tribune poll shows a strong support for civil unions with respondents evenly split on marriage equality.

(Via - Chicago Pride)