Illinois Governor Pat Quinn's office
said Thursday that he will sign a gay marriage bill into law on
November 20.
The signing ceremony will take place at
UIC Forum, the 22,000 square foot open space at the University of
Illinois at Chicago.
“Marriage equality is coming to
Illinois,” Quinn, a Democrat, said in a statement. “I look
forward to signing this landmark legislation on November 20 and
celebrating a big step forward with the people of Illinois.”
In 2011, Quinn signed a civil unions
bill into law at an event that drew roughly 1,000 people to the
Chicago Cultural Center.
The House approved the marriage bill on
Tuesday with one vote to spare, following in the footsteps of the
Senate, which approved the bill on Valentine's Day. A change to the
law's start date – from January to June – meant a return trip to
the Senate. Senate members made quick work of the measure and it was
on its way to Quinn's desk within hours after the House voted.
Illinois will become the 15th
state to allow gay couples to marry.