From CNN:
The Illinois Senate will vote Thursday — Valentine's Day — on whether to legalize same-sex marriage.
Because Democrats have supermajority control of the General Assembly, the measure is expected to be approved. After the Senate vote, the measure would be considered by the House.
The Illinois Senate Executive Committee voted today in favor of a bill that would provide marriage for same-sex couples. The bill now advances to the Senate floor.
Q: I live in Illinois and have been eagerly waiting to see if we become the next state to win marriage. I was reading about an issue with religious exemptions. Can you tell me what that means?
The introduction of the bill on the first day of the new Illinois legislative session is yet another sign that it's a matter of when, and not if, marriage happens in Illinois.
The Illinois Senate Executive Committee heard testimony last week from Lambda Legal clients Mercedes Santos and Theresa Volpe about why having the freedom to marry is important to their family.
After this week’s whirlwind of activity in the state legislature, we are certain of one thing - momentum for the freedom to marry is undeniable and growing stronger. Lambda Legal has been working in the Midwestern states to secure respect for our relationships and families for 20 years, and we will pursue every opportunity to get the job done. We look forward to continuing to work with Sen.
From Reuters:
Theresa Volpe and Mercedes Santos' 8-year-old daughter, Ava, has learned about the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s in school.
So her school friends understand when she tells them her two moms are fighting for their civil rights to marry -- it's just hard to explain it to grown-ups sometimes, Volpe and Santos say.