It's official. Equality Illinois announced today that a bill was introduced in the Illinois State Senate to legalize same-sex marriage. State Senator Heather Steans of the 7th District introduced the bill. A companion bill, HB178, was introduced into the Illinois House of Representatives by Rep. Greg Harris of the 13th Representative District.
Harris had tried to make progress with a "civil unions" bill, but is prepared to start again in the House, this time demanding full marriage equality.
The House bill is co-sponsored by Representatives Deb Mell, Sara Feigenholz, Constance Howard, Harry Osterman, and John Fritchey.
"This is not an issue of sacred versus secular - there are plenty of synagogues, churches, and other houses of worship that both recognize and perform same-sex marriages," said Bernard Cherkasov, Chief Executive Officer of Equality Illinois. "Rather, marriage is a civil right - plain and simple. The state cannot have a civil institution of marriage - with its plethora of benefits, rights and responsibilities - and exclude from it an entire class of citizens."
This article in the Chicago Sun-Times suggests that Steans is introducing the bill as a political move, to garner support in the face of a gay Democratic opponent for February's primary race. She is up against Jim Madigan, former staff secretary of Lamda Legal and one-time interim director for Equality Illinois.
It's so nice to know that Chicago ward politics can impact the fate of the nation. Sausages, sausages. But I don't care how it gets done, people. I'm just tired of lagging behind Iowa, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont.
Update: This Cook County election site is your one-stop shopping for candidates, polling places, registration, etc. Includes links to DuPage, McHenry, Lake, Will and Kane Counties and the City of Chicago. You can even sign on to become a deputy registrar.
And the link that jules provided, now for your clickable convenience:
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Enter the amount, and click "Tip" to submit!
old new lefty
1_Irritated_Mother
LadyMiko
Amanda Gulledge
Natalie Not Pedantic
Robert Crook
Salon.com
Comments
I hope this happens, please, please goddess make this happen
is there a site that has a table with all of these people's views and (for incumbents) voting records?
and are you going to have a post or two on voting places and how to find out where to go and if you are registered, etc?
Oh yeah, and Orange County.
I'm not ready to say, "Yey, Illinois" yet. I know how pernicious those downstate right wing motherfuckers can be.
Working on those links for you.
"You know, maybe Obama, Daley, Oprah, and these gay marriage advocates can combine forces and strive at least to get the International Gay Olympics soon in Chicago.
Wouldn't be as costly, and might be supported by more real Windy City residents (plus, change your international image from Al Capone-land)."
My reply:
Actually, the Gay Games were held here in Chicago in 2006--again, as part of Daley's scheme to make Chicago look prepared to handle the Olympics. The LGBTQ had a great time with it all the same.
As a final note, the "Gay Olympics" lost a suit to the International Olympic and United States Olympic committees over the use of the word "olympics" in 1982. For some reason, they didn't want the word "Olympics" anywhere near the word "Gay." Maybe they feared the Gay Olympics would turn the Olympics gay?
And now they're checking althetes shorts for genitalia--see Caster Semenya. Ah, the wild world of sports!
PS--there is no changing Chicago's rep from Al Capone-land.
NYCHoosier:
"Sure. Folks might remember that the original Olympics in Greece were performed in the nude, and we all know how gay Greeks can be...."
Greeks aren't any gayer than the rest of us. They just do it with classical style.
The list of sponsers of this bill is as impressive a list as we have.
Deb Mell and John Fritchey are as good as they come. I worked for John's election.
Tough part will be getting it through leadership. . .
Thanks for bringing some GOOD news!!!