Illinois Senate Passes Civil Union Bill

[racaulk]

Illinois General Assembly Passes Civil Union Bill: Lambda Legal Celebrates Increased Protection for Same-Sex Couples and Their Families

(Chicago, December 1, 2010)—The Illinois General Assembly passed the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act, establishing legal protections for same-sex couples across the state.

"Same-sex couples in Illinois, many together for decades, will finally have the legal protections to take care of each other and their children," said Jim Bennett, Regional Director of Lambda Legal's Midwest Regional Office in Chicago. "Same-sex couples and their families faced a range of barriers to things that other couples take for granted, including spousal health benefits and hospital visitation—the goal of this law is to correct those problems. While all couples deserve the right to marry, all of us in the Land of Lincoln can be proud of this important step forward."

The Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act, first introduced by Representative Greg Harris in March 2007, and in the Illinois Senate by Senator David Koehler, passed 61-52 in the House on Tuesday and 32-24 in the Senate today. The new law includes provisions for hospital visitation and healthcare decision making.

Lambda Legal's staff provided extensive legal analysis and drafting assistance for the Act approved today, as well as public education and legislative advocacy pressing for its passage.

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Link: http://www.lambdalegal.org/news/il_20101201_assembly-passes-civil-unions.html

The bill now goes to Governor Quinn, who has promised to sign the bill. It's all over but the crying, folks. It's not true marriage equality, but is certainly a step in the right direction.

Congratulations, citizens of Illinois!

:woohoo:

[terrya]

1. This is great news!

It IS indeed a tremendous step forward. No, we will NOT settle for civil unions and I expect a marriage bill to be introduced in the Legislature in the next couple of years. After the citizens of Illinois will notice that, no, plague, pestilence, famine, etc, will not happen as a result of same-sex couples getting legal recognition of their relationships. This is the path that states like Vermont and New Hampshire have followed. And sooner than we think, Illinois will have marriage as well.

This is a great day for equality and fairness...and recognition of loving relationships. :-)

[Rowdyboy]

3. A wonderful step forward.....anytthing short of full equality is tough to stomach but these days....

ANY good news is rare and certainly to be savored.

[seeviewonder]

2. I live in a very red part of central Illinois

(who am I kidding, just about everything south of I-80 is red with the exception of East St. Louis). Most people not from here would think that progressive legislation would go through our statehouse without much resistance but I can assure anyone this isn't the case. In our state legislature the number of blue versus red is about even so it is usually difficult to get anything done, especially something in the area of providing some sort of civil rights to GLBT individuals. I am happy and surprised that civil unions were passed today, but I still think more can be done in the near future. Hopefully that future will include full marriage rights for GLBT individuals.