The Illinois House could vote on a gay
marriage bill as early as this week.
Peoria, Illinois CBS affiliate WMBD
reported that the debate will begin Wednesday.
The measure which seeks to make
Illinois the 10th state to legalize marriage equality
cleared the Senate last Thursday, Valentine's Day, with a 34-21 vote.
“I think that it's an issue that
certainly evolves over time and with each generation this becomes
less and less a controversial issue,” said Senator Dave Koehler, a
Democrat and a co-sponsor of the measure.
Democratic Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth
added that she believes the bill will clear the chamber.
“I do believe that the bill will pass
because the sponsor made it very clear that he would not call the
bill if he didn't have the votes and I think it's going to pass with
some bipartisanship as well,” Gordon-Booth said.
The sponsor Gordon-Booth was referring
to is Rep. Greg Harris of Chicago. Harris was also the House
champion of a civil unions bills which became law two years ago.
On Monday, the
Chicago
Tribune
urged House members to approve the bill.