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Illinois lawmakers hope for gay marriage OK in January
Updated: December 13, 2012 4:10PM
Two Illinois lawmakers say they’re “within striking distance” of getting legislative approval for gay marriage and hope to send a bill to Gov. Pat Quinn shortly after the new year.
Rep. Greg Harris and Sen. Heather Steans say they’ll call for a vote on a gay marriage bill when the Legislature reconvenes in January.
The policy arm of the Catholic Church in Illinois is lining up opposition to the legislation.
Robert Gilligan, executive director of Catholic Conference of Illinois, says marriage is unique because it’s a union between two genders and “same-sex marriage goes against nature.” Gilligan’s organization represents nearly 4 million Catholics in the state.
Harris and Steans, both Chicago Democrats, say public opinion favoring equal rights for same-sex partners is moving rapidly. The fact that four states voted in favor of the issue or opposed a ban on it in November helps.
Harris successfully brought civil unions to Illinois in June 2011. He and Steans say a gay marriage law wouldn’t interfere with religious beliefs or force places of worship to recognize same-sex marriages.
