Now the Illinois Senate has followed the Illinois House lead and passed Civil Unions, Gov to sign

[wndycty]

It just passed the Senate with a 32-24 vote. The Governor has vowed to sign it.

[MindandSoul]

1. Another step forward! Good deal!

[City Lights]

2. Great news!

Rec'd.

[joeybee12]

3. This is good news, but it boggles the mind that 24 voted against it...

cretins.

[MineralMan]

4. Excellent! Even though it's not marriage, it's progress.

[bluestateguy]

5. Civil unions often paves the way for full marriage rights

It moves the ball down the field and gets skeptical people ready for marriage equality by showing them that there is nothing to fear.

This played out in Vermont, and New Hampshire that way.

[surrealAmerican]

18. Here's hoping it does.

Illinois is not so very blue; that could take a while.

[terrya]

6. This is wonderful!

Hey...Cardinal George fought this. The Catholic Church. The National Organization for Marriage came in this state and tried to kill it. We won against these bigots. That's not trivial.

I also saw where James Meeks voted for it. Wonders will never cease.

This is an outstanding day for Illinois! :-)

[Tippy]

7. K&R.....

Many thanks to Illinois Democrats and Independents and any others who voted for this bill....I am proud ot say I was once, one.

[PeaceNikki]

8. Yay!

:party:

[PeaceNikki]

9. Happy Birthday Matthew Shepard!

[Withywindle]

10. K & R for some good news!

:woohoo:

[mopinko]

11. that is so fucking awesome. so happy to live here.

we rock!!

[defendandprotect]

12. Good -- common sense, sanity and human rights -- !!!

[mopinko]

13. shows the importance of being a good dem even when

national politics starts to suck.
when i talk to people who are frustrated, i tell them to look down ticket. so much of the important shit that matters to people's lives happens in state houses and city councils.
this is why i am a dem, right there.

[KharmaTrain]

14. Thank Goodness It's Governor Quinn...

A very positive step...and it's all but certain Governor Quinn will sign it.

[mopinko]

15. any idea what the effective date of this is??

immediately?

[terrya]

16. July 1, 2011

http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/14766561

[mopinko]

17. cool.

the chicago economy could use a boom. hope people celebrate with style.