Illinois Senate prepares for Valentine’s Day equal marriage vote
The Illinois Senate will vote tomorrow – Valentine’s Day – on whether to legalise same-sex marriage.
Governor Pat Quinn, a Democrat, has indicated he would sign the bill into law.
He says the initial proposals have been tweaked to allow churches who do not wish to perform same-sex marriages from being able to reframe from doing so.
Earlier this month, Governor Quinn said that “marriage equality is a matter of fairness and equal rights under law.”
He continued “We took the first step towards marriage equality two years ago when I signed civil unions into law. Since that day, thousands of committed couples in 92 counties across our state have entered into civil unions,” adding. “Now is the time for the next step in providing equal rights to all people in Illinois.”
The full Senate is expected to vote on the measure tomorrow.
Because Democrats have supermajority control of the General Assembly, the measure is expected to be approved. After the Senate vote, the measure would be considered by the House.
Earlier this month, the bill passed the Illinois Senate Executive Committee.
