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Illinois House Headed Towards Civil Union Vote Today?

11/30/10-by Bridgette P. LaVictoire
The vote on civil unions in Illinois could happen today, or at least soon, according to both supporters and opponents of the measure. The current lame-duck session gives it the best chance of passage. The measure would grand the same legal and fiscal rights to lesbian and gay partners that it does to spouses, but lacks the supposed and false religious connotations attached to the word marriage. Supporters are still doing a whip count to see how many votes they have.

According to state Representative Greg Harris, the bill’s sponsor, “I’m an eternal optimist.” Harris is openly gay, and predicts that the bill could get a floor debate either today or tomorrow. The Illinois legislature is set to adjourn for the rest of the year shortly, but will meet for a few days in January before the new Legislature is sworn in. Regarding passing the bill during the lame-duck session, Harris stated “I think people look at this as, ‘Is this the right thing to do?’”

Of course, Illinois Family Institute executive director David E. Smith stated “We’re trying to encourage the people of Illinois to speak out and contact their legislators” to oppose the bill, and “… This is gay marriage; they’re just changing the name. … They’re redefining what it means to be a spouse.” The Souther Poverty Law Center has named the Illinois Family Institute a hate group. He did note that several lawmakers from more conservative districts are leaning towards supporting the bill because those lawmakers will not be returning in January.

There is strong support in Illinois for civil unions. According to one report:

The bill would allow civil unions of unmarried, unrelated adults, regardless of gender, and would grant them “the same legal same legal obligations, responsibilities, protections, and benefits as are afforded or recognized by the law of Illinois to spouses.”

Should the bill get through to the Senate, it should pass easily, and Governor Pat Quinn will sign it.