Some very promising news on an otherwise disappointing day. The Chicago Tribune and local news stations report a bill giving gay and lesbian couples the right to form civil unions in Illinois has "squeaked" through a key committee.
[The bill] was approved by the House Youth and Family Committee by a vote of 5-4 Wednesday.
The measure would not legalize gay marriage in the state. It would create a separate legal framework that offers many marriage-like benefits for gay couples, including the right to visit their partners in hospitals, make medical decisions and more. The bill would also recognize legal gay marriages and civil unions performed elsewhere as civil unions.
HB 2234 was introduced by Rep. Greg Harris, an openly gay Democrat who represents my old Chicago neighborhoods of Uptown and Lakeview. There are 12 Democratic co-sponsors. Harris calls the bill a "fair, common sense piece of legislation" that ensures basic rights for everyone. Civil Unions Bill Moves to House Floor [Tribune]
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There is a decent chance of enacting civil unions legislation in Illinois. Many of the state's Republicans are moderates on gay rights and have resisted calls for a marriage amendment. Last fall, The Advocate reported one of
President Barack Obama's most trusted advisors, Valerie Jarrett, lobbied black state lawmakers "who were on the fence about
backing the legislation" and several changed their minds.
Ill. House to Vote on Gay Civil Unions [On Top Mag]
News: Michelle Obama "Vogue", Illinois, Mitcham [R20]
Obama Strategist Advising Legislature on Civil Unions [R20]
Thanks for the good news, Rod. Much needed today.
Posted by: Andy Niable | 05 March 2009 at 16:12
This is good news but we have a long fight ahead of us here in Obamaland. The Southern part of the state will be rough going and it is no guarentee. But on an otherwise dreary day, this was good news.
Posted by: Kevin | 05 March 2009 at 18:04
I agree with Kevin. I grew up in the southern part of Illinois, which is much more conservative than the north (Champaign-Urbana, Chicago), and most people down south will not be in favor of this bill at all. It IS a bit of good news today, to contrast what looks like more of the same with California's screwed-up system of easy constitutional changes. Let's just hope that the majority population in the north keeps keeping my home state a little left of center on these issues.
Posted by: Mike | 06 March 2009 at 04:00