The Illinois state Senate is scheduled to vote today on whether or not to legalize same-sex marriage. The Religious Freedom and Marriage Equality Actis expected to pass, as Democrats have a supermajority in the General Assembly.
When Illinois lawmakers tried to pass marriage equality in January, a variety of high-profile personalities stepped forward to endorse it, including President Obama, Modern Family actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson and even the state’s Republican Party Chairman, Pat Brady. But proponents were unable to garner enough support during the lame-duck session.
If the bill clears the Senate today, it will move on the House and then Governor Pat Quinn, who has indicated he would happily sign it. “We took the first step towards marriage equality two years ago when I signed civil unions into law,” said Quinn. “Now is the time for the next step in providing equal rights to all people in Illinois.”
