From the Prop 8 Trial Tracker
NOM attacks civil unions in Illinois; Bill may be voted on today
by Andy Kelley
New Media Organizer, Courage Campaign
In developing news, Illinois could vote to pass the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act (SB 1716), creating civil unions for same-sex couples, as soon as today.
Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn has pledged to sign the bill if passed telling the Chicago Tribune on Monday I do think this is the time for Illinois to do this. This is a good way to show employers big businesses all across the country that Illinois treats everyone with tolerance.
Despite their previous claims to not oppose civil unions, the National Organization for Marriage is hard at work urging their supporters to contact their legislators and urge them to oppose passage of the bill, calling it same-sex marriage by a different name.
Advocates of the bill are not allowing this challenge by out of state, Washington DC based interests to go unanswered. As Chicago Pride reports:
Gay rights activists continue to encourage the LGBT community to contact their legislators on Tuesday morning by calling the Illinois Capitol switchboard at 217-782-2000. EQIL has also established a hotline to help people identify their legislators, that number is 773-477-7173.
We will continue to bring you updates as this story develops.
UPDATE:
Good news. The Daily Herald is reporting that the bill has passed the state house and will move to the state senate for consideration:
By a 61-52 vote, lawmakers voted to allow civil unions, which would give nonmarried partners both gay and straight additional rights and benefits under state law
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