From the Chicago Tribune:
A little more than two years ago, the Illinois General Assembly took a carefully measured step toward marriage equality, the full legal recognition of committed partnerships, regardless of the parties' sexual orientation.
With a vote of 34-21, the Illinois Senate passed a marriage equality bill today. Lambda Legal celebrates the vote and urges the Illinois House of Representatives to follow.
An Illinois court today rejected an attempt by a conservative legal group to put Lambda Legal’s Illinois marriage lawsuit on hold pending a decision in two marriage cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.
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.
From the New York Times:
For Colette Hayward and Margaret Selby, the problem is this: Maryland recognizes their 2009 marriage, but the federal government does not.
[...]
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?