7am News, Sports and Obits
Latest WGIL news
Click to play or
Right click and "Save Target As" to download
Click for Galesburg, Illinois Forecast
Home - Cancellations - Community Events - Contact Us - Mornings - News - Obituaries - Pictures - Programs - Special Events Audio - Sports - Weather
IL House Passes Civil Unions Bill
(IRN)-Choking back tears, a couple of state Representatives made impassioned speeches on the House floor in favor of civil unions. The result was victory.

During debate last Tuesday evening, lawmakers pointed out how polite and respectful the speeches were, especially for such an emotionally-charged debate. The two openly gay members of the Illinois House, Representative Greg Harris, the bill sponsor, and Representative Deb Mell, say that this is about equality and justice. Mell, standing on the floor with her fiancée, Christin Baker, explained, voice cracking, that she had no rights in her relationship. "If, God forbid, something happens to Christin, and she cannot make a decision, by law, the doctor cannot ask me anything."

Opponents say they believe that if civil unions are allowed by law in Illinois, the next step will be gay marriage. Several Republicans say this is nothing but a slippery slope in to devaluing marriage between a man and a woman.

The final vote was 61-52. The bill now goes to the Senate, where it's expected to be voted on today. While Senator President John Cullerton would not make a prediction, he did say he hoped it would pass. Governor Pat Quinn has pledged to sign it.

(Illinois Radio Network)
12 01 10 by Newsroom
News management powered by Xpression News

Click here for the WGIL News Archive

Click here for national news

The following provision applies to all visitors (which shall include persons and representatives of legal entities, whether such representatives are persons or digital engines of a kind that crawls, indexes, scrapes, copies, stores or transmits digital content). By accessing this Web site or digital service, you specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium; (ii) No Associated Press materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use; (iii) The Associated Press will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing; (iv) The Associated Press is an intended third party beneficiary of these terms and conditions and it may exercise all rights and remedies available to it; and (v) The Associated Press reserves the right to audit possible unauthorized commercial use of AP materials or any portion thereof at any time.