Illinois Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn will sign the landmark Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act into law during a ceremony on Monday, Jan. 31.
That's according to openly-gay State Rep. Gregory Harris, who introduced the bill in the House and made the announcement Saturday on Facebook.
More details at ChicagoPride.com:
A source close to the planning tells ChicagoPride.com that the signing ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. on Jan. 31 at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, in Chicago's Loop. The event will be attended by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago), Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) and the bill's chief sponsors, State Sen. Dave Koehler (D-46th District) and Rep. Harris.
With the event open to the public, organizers anticipate a large crowd and they plan to offer first come, first served seating. ChicagoPride.com is told a satellite seating area will be available with closed circuit video coverage planned for the overflow, which is anticipated to be over a thousand people.
Quinn campaigned on civil unions and urged legislators to fast track the bill. With the governor's signature, effective July 1, 2011, Illinois would become the sixth state to allow civil unions.
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