Supporters Of Same Sex Marriage Bill Push For January Vote

By Chuck Sudo in News on Dec 13, 2012 10:00PM

The sponsors of a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Illinois say they appear to have the necessary votes for passage and could bring it up to a vote when the lame duck session reconvenes in Springfield after the new year. State Rep. Greg Harris and Sen. Heather Steans unveiled plans Thursday to hold a vote on the measure before the new General Assembly is sworn in Jan. 9. This is identical to how the Illinois Civil Union Law was passed in 2010. Steans said the recent votes to legalize same sex marriages in Maine and Maryland last month—bringing the number of states recognizing same-sex marriages to nine—represents a “sea change” on the subject and that she and Harris “don’t want to lose the momentum.”

Gov. Pat Quinn has already said he would sign the bill into law if it passes both the Illinois House and Senate. Crain’s Greg Hinz reports supporters of the legislation have hired David Axelrod’s firm to help them with organization, outreach and a media campaign. This is a far cry from a couple weeks back, when it was expected the bill would take a back seat to pension reform and crafting a gambling expansion bill that would include a Chicago casino.

The bill would become law next summer if it passes and would recognize same-sex marriages in the other states that have legalized them.