'Historic' civil unions measure passes Illinois House

[racaulk]

SPRINGFIELD --- Civil unions would be allowed in Illinois beginning next year for same-sex couples under legislation the House passed today.

The 61-52 vote followed spirited debate on whether the action would be tantamount to legalizing gay marriage.

Sponsoring Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, called on his colleagues to join the arc of history that has gradually eliminated discrimination on social issues ranging from allowing women the right to vote to knocking down numerous social and legal barriers standing in the way of giving rights to people of color.

“We have a chance today to make Illinois a more fair state, a more just state, and a state which treats all of its citizens equally under the law,” Harris said. "We have a chance here, as leaders have had in previous generations, to correct injustice and to move us down the path toward liberty."

The measure now goes to the Senate, where a similar bill passed in committee today.

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Link: http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2010/11/civil-unions-measure-clears-minor-hurdle-at-capitol.html

[RKP5637]

1. Recommend!!! n/t

[TheWraith]

2. K&R. Anyone know the bill's odds in the Illinois State Senate?

Wikipedia tells me the chamber makeup is 37 Dems, 22 Reps, but I know from dealing with the New York State Senate that a few old-school Dems can screw you.

[Unvanguard]

3. It is supposed to have even better prospects there than in the House.

Seems a done deal to me.

[racaulk]

4. I was not aware of that, but that sounds very promising.

Actually, considering that the New York and New Jersey state marriage equality bills died in their respective state Senates, and considering the boondoggle that has become the repeal of DADT thanks largely to the U.S. Senate, the idea that the Senate would be the more likely chamber to pass a gay rights bill seems a little odd. But I'm not gonna question it!

Keeping my fingers crossed!

:hi:

[racaulk]

7. Update: State Senate passed the bill by a vote of 32-24.

:bounce:

[joeybee12]

5. Update...also passed the Senate...good news, but come on,...52 votes against??

Doesn't that seem pretty high for a supposedly moderate state?

[Unvanguard]

6. Ref. 71 only passed by a few percentage points in Washington.

When push comes to shove, most same-sex marriage opponents don't seem willing to support civil unions either, whatever their rhetoric.

Glad to hear it passed the Senate!

[RetiredTrotskyite]

8. This Is What Puts the Lie...

to their whole "we don't mind civil unions; it's the word 'marriage' we object to" meme. While it is second-class status, I hope the gov signs it quickly.

[TheWraith]

9. Illinois's got a lot of downstate Republicans, plus Chicago has a strong working class base...

I would imagine they lost all the downstate votes plus more than a couple out of Chicago, people representing socially conservative blue collar areas.