SPRINGFIELD, Ill.—The Illinois Senate on Wednesday voted 32-24 in favor of a bill that would allow civil unions for gay couples, following the state House’s Tuesday passage of the same legislation. The bill now heads to the desk of Gov. Pat Quinn, who said he would sign it into law if the legislature approved it.
“It’s time for us to look history in the eye and not flinch,” said Sen. Jeffrey Schoenberg (D-Evanston).
Assuming Gov. Quinn signs the measure, Illinois will extend gay and lesbian couples in the state who enter into civil unions some, but not all, of the benefits and protections provided by marriage. The law would take effect June 1.
The measure does not require religious institutions to recognize civil unions or perform their ceremonies. The legislation would make Illinois the second state to allow civil unions (along with N.J.). Five other states and Washington, D.C., grant same-sex couples the right to marry.
