Tweet Of The Day - Equality Illinois

Via Huffington Post:

Though Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner is not planning to attend Sunday's massive Gay Pride Parade in Chicago, his presence will still very much be felt -- thanks to a giant banner erected by LGBT advocates. Equality Illinois and a number of associated community members and elected officials on Thursday unveiled a two-story banner featuring a photograph of Rauner along with his statement, made last year at a Tea Party event, that he would have vetoed Illinois' new marriage equality bill had it come to his desk as governor of the state.

TOMORROW: March On Illinois Capital

REMINDER: Tomorrow is the March On Springfield for marriage equality as the Illinois legislature meets for its fall veto session.

Opponents and supporters of same-sex marriage are gearing up for another push in the Illinois Legislature. Supporters are planning a march and rally in Springfield on Tuesday, the first day of the Legislature’s fall session. Gov. Pat Quinn and other lawmakers who support legislation legalizing same-sex marriage are expected to participate. Opponents have scheduled a prayer rally at the Capitol on Wednesday. A group of African American clergy who oppose the measure also recorded radio ads in which they urge listeners to call lawmakers and tell them to vote no. The Illinois Senate approved the legislation in February.

We still don't know if the Illinois House is going to call a vote. Call your rep and demand one. Even if we fail, we need to know who our allies are.

ILLINOIS: State Senate To Vote Thursday On Marriage, Governor Assures Passage

Speaking at the Equality Illinois gala this weekend, Gov. Pat Quinn vowed the full passage of marriage equality. The Illinois Senate, as promised by its president, will vote on their bill on Thursday.

The overwhelming mood at the gala was one of celebration—for Equality Illinois, but also for the successful passing of the gay marriage bill in the Senate Executive Committee, and its upcoming vote in the state Senate Feb. 14. Former state Sen. Carol Ronen was confident that the bill would go before, and pass, in both houses of the legislature. "It looks very good for passing. I think everything you hear is very optimistic," she told the Windy City Times. Ronen said that organizations likes Equality Illinois were essential in the process. "Everybody has been at the table. Everything has been a great group effort," she said. The Windy City Times spoke with Rep. Deborah Mell about the upcoming bill, which will go up for a vote in the Senate before going before the house. In 2004, Mell was arrested at a marriage equality protest."I didn't even think I was going to be in politics then. To be voting on the bill is really exciting," she said.

Gov. Quinn: "This week will be a historic week in Illinois. This year we're going to make and pass a law called Marriage Equality."

TODAY: Same-Sex Marriage Bills Due For First Day Of Illinois Legislature

The Illinois legislature meets today for the beginning of the new session and marriage equality bills are set to be introduced in both chambers.  Via press release from Equality Illinois:

On the first day of the new legislative session, sponsors Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and Representative Greg Harris (D-Chicago) say they will work to pass the legislation, known as the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, shortly after members of the 98th General Assembly are sworn in.

"Last week, the Senate Executive Committee made history by approving same-sex marriage and gave our efforts incredible momentum," Senator Steans said. "With the full support of Senate President John Cullerton, I am confident legislators will grant all Illinois couples the freedom to marry this year."

"We are one step closer to equality in the Land of Lincoln," added Representative Harris. "The bills we filed today will treat all couples equally under the law. We are going full steam ahead on this." Illinois Unites for Marriage -- a coalition led by Equality Illinois, Lambda Legal and the ACLU of Illinois -- is continuing its statewide campaign in support of the bill, marshaling support and urging allies to step up contacts with their legislators.

The language in the new bill is identical the one that passed in an Illinois Senate committee last week.

IL Marriage Fight Moves To New Session

Despite last night's win before an Illinois Senate committee, activists say that they will take the marriage equality fight to the next session of the legislature. Via press release from Equality Illinois:

Today, the movement for marriage equality achieved a milestone victory, with the adoption of the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act by the Senate Executive Committee. This was the first step of many. Today's victory builds on all the work we have done, adds to the momentum that the supporters have created, and puts us in great position to advance the freedom to marry in the coming months. With just a handful of days remaining in the current lame duck session, time to move the bill through both chambers is not on our side. So we will act in the new General Assembly that convenes next week, on Wednesday, January 9.

"We have come so far. Just to be able to witness the historic public debate over the desire of all loving, committed couples to be able to marry in Illinois is a major accomplishment. And with the landmark action by the Senate Executive Committee in favor of the bill, for the first time ever an Illinois legislative body voted to extend the freedom to marry. Never before has the issue gone this far in the Illinois legislature," said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, the state's oldest and largest LGBT advocacy organization. "Our opponents should not believe they have turned the tide against the growing national and Illinois consensus favoring marriage equality. The clock simply ran out, and our legislative supporters ran out of time," he said.

The above release closes by noting the expectation that "the new Illinois House and Senate are considered to be more supportive of LGBT issues."

UPDATE: Another activist group, the Civil Rights Agenda, thinks this is the wrong call.

"What I have learned—and I have been down here [in Springfield] for 20 years, and I have worked things—is that on every piece of legislation I have worked on, there are dark times, when you think it's not going to go. You push forward, and you stand firm, you move and move until you can't move any more. To throw in the towel now is a stupid maneuver. TCRA is here, and we've been here for past three years, and we knew nothing about this decision until we saw the press release."

ILLINOIS: LGBT Groups Form Coalition To Back Marriage Campaign

As the marriage equality campaign continues to pick up speed in Illinois, a coalition of LGBT rights and progressive groups has formed. Via press release:

In the wake of the announcement by key legislators that they will seek passage of an Illinois marriage equality bill in January 2013, a broad range of organizations have joined to form a new coalition, called Illinois Unites for Marriage, organizers said Thursday. The coalition will be wholly focused on securing legislation giving same-sex couples the freedom to marry in early 2013. Illinois Unites brings together a diverse group of individuals and organizations from across Illinois, including business groups, labor, faith organizations, Republicans, Democrats and grassroots supporters. The coalition is being organized by Equality Illinois, Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois.

"We are uniting to urge members of the Illinois General Assembly to let all Illinoisans express their love and life-long commitment through civil marriage," said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, the state's oldest and largest LGBT advocacy organization. "The momentum is undeniable -- allowing same-sex couples to marry is the right thing for Illinois," said Jim Bennett, Regional Director of Lambda Legal. "It's best for our state that our government treat all families with equity and respect. Nine other states now have full marriage equality. It's time for Illinois to act."

Earlier this week a group of anti-gay religious and hate groups formed a similar coalition to fight the Illinois marriage bill.