Illinois to become 16th state with marriage equality law

Illinois will become the 16th state today to embrace full marriage equality. Governor Pat Quinn will sign the legislation into law at 3:30 p.m. Central Time during a ceremony at the University of Illinois at Chicago Forum.

Governor Pat Quinn

Governor Quinn called the legislation "a big step forward" in extending marriage  equality to all people of Illinois. The governor is an enthusiastic supporter, according to the group Freedom to Marry.

The state House of Representatives voted 61 to 54 on November 5 to approve the legislation. Three Republicans crossed party lines to vote in favor of the bill. The state Senate quickly concurred on a 32-29 vote. The law would take effect on June 1, 2014.

State Representative Greg Harris, a Democrat who is gay, sponsored the bill following the United States Supreme Court's ruling in June striking down the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

Illinois voters have expressed surprisingly strong support for equal marriage. A Crains/Ipsos poll conducted in February 2013 showed 50 percent of voters in favor of marriage equality with only 29 percent opposed.

Illinois approved civil unions in 2011.

Hawaii became the 15th state to enact a marriage equality law with Governor Neil Abercrombie's signature on November 13. The law will take effect on December 2.


MARRIAGE EQUALITY BY STATE
YELLOW: States with laws supporting equal marriage
BLUE: States with no such laws
GRAY: States with legal challenges pending 

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