Democratic Illinois Governor Pat Quinn
on Wednesday promised passage of a gay marriage bill in his State of
the State address.
“Marriage equality is coming to
Illinois,” Quinn told lawmakers.
“Our Illinois is not a land of
discrimination,” he said. “Four years ago, nobody thought civil
unions would be possible here. Today, civil unions are the law of
our state. Nearly 5,200 couples across 94 counties have joined in a
civil union.”
“Now, it's time to take that next
step in achieving full equality.”
Quinn thanked Senator Heather Steans
and Representative Greg Harris, the chief sponsors of a marriage
equality bill, before adding, “Let's pass this bill for marriage
equality.”
The measure cleared its first
legislative hurdle on Tuesday, clearing a Senate committee panel.
The full Senate is expected to take up the bill on Valentine's Day.
The chamber's president, John Cullerton, has said he believes the
bill has the 30 votes needed to get through the Senate and reach the
House.
Other governors who have referenced gay
rights in their inaugural speeches include Delaware's
Jack Markell and Colorado's
John Hickenlooper.