Marriage equality bill in Illinois
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02/24/07-02/26/07
New marriage equality bill introduced in Illinois
While the debate for marriage equality heats up nationwide, gay Illinois state representative Greg Harris introduced a bill on Thursday that would legalize same-sex marriage in Illinois, reports the Chicago Tribune.
The Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act would change the wording in state law to state that a marriage is between "two persons."
"Illinois is a heartland state but has always been a leader in civil rights and social justice issues. It's the right thing to do," said Harris.
This week New Jersey introduced civil unions for gay couples, joining Vermont, and Connecticut. Massachusetts is the only state that allows same-sex marriages. Civil unions offer many of the legal benefits and protections of marriage but not the title.
Last year opponents of same-sex marriage in Illinois failed to get enough signatures to put a question on the ballot asking voters whether marriage should be defined as a union between "one man and one woman." (The Advocate)
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I live in Illinois, and I will be VERY, VERY surprised if this actually happens. Although I wish it would.
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I grew up in McHenry IL.
Illinois has been extremely liberal over the years.
It was one of the first states to revoke the ban on interracial marriages. Note that only certain towns and counties had this ban {mostly in the southern part}, not the whole state. The state made a blanket removal of the ban across the state.
It was one of the first to revoke ban on sodomy.
Chicago was one of the first to offer benefits to same sex partners of city employees.
