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Illinois Senate Passes Gay Marriage

Gay couples in Illinois hope for best as the bill waits for approval from the House.

After Maryland legalized gay-marriage in January, Illinois could be the next state in the nation to follow its steps.

Governor Quinn of Illinois on Thursday made a statement about the Senate passing the bill which would legalize same-sex marriage in the state.  

“We have the opportunity today to welcome all families in Illinois as equally valued,” Sen. Heather Steans who is a sponsor of the bill said.

The bill has won a majority in the Senate with a 34-21 as well as the state House where Democrats made the lead. Quinn, a Chicago Democrat has said that as soon as the House approves the bill, he will sign it. This would make Illinois the 10th state in the nation where same-sex marriage is legal.

With the bill on its way to the House for approval, the Senate has added an amendment which exempts churches and other religious organization from solemnizing same-sex marriages. It also states that churches cannot be sued if they refuse to use their parishes for same-sex marriage ceremonies.

In response to the challenges the bill presents to churches and religious organization, Steans said that the bill has already taken these concerns into consideration as it ensures that churches would not be forced to involve same-sex marriage in their operation.

Unlike other republicans, Sen. Jason Barickman voted yes to the bill the later said that he feels “it was the right thing to do.”

A poll conducted by Paul Simon Public Policy Institute found that the public support for gay marriage in Illinois has risen from 33.6 percent in 2010 to 45.5 percent 3 years later.

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