It looks like Illinois might be the next state to legalize gay marriage.
State Senator Heather Steans and State Representative Greg Harris say they plan to take introduce marriage equality legislation in the closing days of the current General Assembly before the newly elected lawmakers are sworn-in on January 9th.
Both elected officials say the time is now.
“Public sentiment is moving fast on this,” Steans said noting that Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and President Barack Obama. “It’s just a wave now. It’s moving very quickly,” she added.
The legislation which will go before both the Illinois House and Senate calls for the legalization of same-sex marriage but also protects the right of religious institutions who do not wish to perform gay marriages.
Nine other states currently allow gay couples to tie the know, however the Defense of Marriage act prevents the federal government to recognize those unions.
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