Ilinois Senate and House approve civil union legislature

Boy Wonder · Dec 1, 2010

SPRINGFIELD â€” Gays and lesbians scored a dramatic victory Tuesday when the Illinois House voted to legalize civil unions in a move that could eventually grant gay partners some of the same spousal rights as married heterosexual couples.
The historic vote capped a busy legislative day that included House approval of a pension package affecting future city cops and firefighters. That bill could blow a more than $500 million hole in the city budget by 2015 â€” legislation condemned by Mayor Daley

The 61-52 civil union vote now passes on to the Senate an issue pushed by gay-rights advocates and Gov. Quinn but opposed by religious leaders such as Cardinal George. A vote is expected in the Senate on Wednesday with signs pointing toward likely passage.â€œWe have a chance today to make Illinois a more fair state, a more just state and a state which treats all of its citizens equally under the law,â€ said Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), the billâ€™s lead House sponsor.
Harris was brought to tears at one point during debate.
The legislation, which does not alter state law recognizing marriage as being between a man and woman, would grant gay couples new rights regarding hospital visitation, health-care decision-making and the disposal of a loved oneâ€™s remains, for example.
If the measure passes the Senate and is signed into law by Quinn, who has pledged to do so, Illinois would become the sixth state offering gay couples the right to enter into civil unions or domestic partnerships.
During debate, the normally bustling House chamber fell silent as speaker after speaker rose in support. Only two House members voiced opposition to Senate Bill 1716, claiming it will open the door to legalized gay marriage in Illinois.
Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Greenville), who voted against the measure, went so far as to argue that Illinoisâ€™ support of civil unions would contribute to the decline of American civilization.
â€œIf you look at the sociological history of societies that have failed, what are some of the commonalities? One of those is that open homosexuality becomes accepted in the higher society, whether itâ€™s in Greek times, the Romans or others, and here we are at that precipice again,â€ Stephens said.
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Rep. Greg Harris is openly gay, btw~
There's other news as well (not relating to the civil union legislature) in the rest of the article here:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/2934264,illinois-house-civil-unions-pass-113010.article
The first comment on the page, though, was:

Heterosexuals have the blessing of Godâ€™s natural order to procreate. Homosexuals have never had or ever will have Godâ€™s blessing of equality to procreate the Earth. Homosexuals compare their struggles to what black people have gone through in this country. Yet black peopleâ€™s history of inequality was brought about by mans actions, and obviously black people can procreate. Enjoy your piece of paper that says homosexuals are equal to heterosexuals, even as nature says homosexuals donâ€™t equate
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The page is filled with comments like that, but also happy comments, of course.

Here's another page on it (well, blog):
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com...inois-senate-debates-civil-union-measure.html

so....yeah. Damn good news to wake up to, if you ask me.

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Ilinois Senate and House approve civil union legislature

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