Illinois Senate Votes: Civil Unions a Sure Thing

The Illinois state senate today passed a civil unions bill by a vote of 32-24, following the house’s approval of the legislation Tuesday. Gov. Pat Quinn has pledged to sign the bill, which will take effect in July.

Illinois joins 11 other states and the District of Columbia in providing some form of relationship recognition to same-sex couples, through marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships. Unmarried opposite-sex couples will be eligible for civil unions in Illinois as well.

Rep. Greg Harris (pictured), a gay Democrat from Chicago, spoke passionately in favor of the bill in the house. “We have a chance here, as leaders have had in previous generations, to correct injustice and to move us down the path toward liberty,” he said, according to the Chicago Tribune.“It’s a matter of fairness, it’s a matter of respect, it’s a matter of equality.”

Most of those favoring the legislation were Democrats, although a handful of Republicans voted for the bill, and a couple of Republican house members stood up to voice their support.

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