Illinois Governor Pat Quinn says he is
going to work as hard as he can to make Illinois the 10th
state to legalize gay marriage.
“The sooner we get it accomplished,
the better,” Quinn told Chicago
Phoenix. “This is a mission we cannot bail on. We must
succeed.”
Quinn happily signed legislation
creating civil unions for gay and lesbian couples two years ago but
appeared to hesitate when first asked about marriage last year.
When the measure was first introduced
in February, he said he wanted to study the issues related to gay
nuptials. He later said he looked “forward to working with the
advocates on this issue to build a majority.”
Sponsors in the House and Senate said
they wouldn't press for a vote until they had a majority. A push
earlier this month during the Senate's quick lame-duck session was
suddenly called off. The bill's champion in the chamber, Senator
Heather Steans, said she called off the vote because three supporters
were not present.
“I think we have the makings of a
majority in the Senate and the House,” Quinn said. “This is
achievable and attainable and I'm going to work as hard as I can with
everyone to make it happen.”
(Related: Gay
marriage foes want Pat Quinn excommunicated.)