Illinois Governor Calls on House to Send Him Same Sex-Marriage Bill

By Jeffrey Knipmeyer on May 20, 2013

Illinois lawmakers have had plenty of time to make a decision, according to Governor Pat Quinn.  As reported by The Chicago Tribune, the Illinois governor has called on the House to send to his desk legislation establishing marriage equality in the state.

The measure was passed by the Illinois Senate months ago on Valentine’s Day.  Governor Quinn sent the message to the House of Representatives to get moving.  He said passage of the bill would send a message to the entire nation that citizens in Illinois believe in marriage equality.

The eyes of the nation are now on Illinois.  During the last few months, voters have supported marriage equality in three states.  The Illinois governor’s words came one day after a same-sex marriage bill was signed into law by Delaware governor Jack Markell.

Supporters of the Illinois legislation say they are nearing the 60 votes needed in the House for passage of the same-sex marriage bill.  They are not, however, going to call the bill up for a vote until they are certain there are enough votes to ensure passage.

Opponents such as Cardinal Francis George and other religious leaders who kept the bill from passing in the early January lame-duck session continue in their opposition.  They want marriage to continue to be between a woman and a man as it is currently defined.  On the other side, sponsoring Representative Greg Harris said that in states where marriage equality has been established the community has been made stronger.

For many years now, Jeffrey Knipmeyer, partner in the Chicago family law firm of Nottage and Ward, has been a leader in helping members of the gay community handle family matters unique to them.  The attorneys at Nottage and Ward have more than 25 years of experience resolving complex financial and child custody issues through negotiation and litigation.  Please call us at (312) 332-2915.  We can answer all your civil union and family law questions.