Another One Bites the Dust! Illinois Signs Gay Marriage into Law
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Hundreds of people have begun streaming into the University of Illinois-Chicago Forum this afternoon to witness Gov. Pat Quinn sign a historic measure into law that will see Illinois join 15 other states in allowing gay marriage.
Casey Cameron, 38, traveled from Downstate St. Elmo for the bill signing, saying it represents a huge step forward for the gay rights movement given the intense fight that took place just years ago to ensure gays and lesbians had equal access to housing and employment opportunities on Illinois.
"It took a long time and a very tall mountain to get that, and to finally see this is quite an amazing bit of accomplishment for the state," Cameron said.
Cameron also noted the significance of same-sex marriage begging legalized in Lincoln's home state.
"The whole vision of Lincoln was setting free an entire group of oppressed people, and that's what's happening today in his state, which is also my state."
Seth Hannen, 20, of Downstate Tremont, said he hoped the new law would give hope to gay teenagers facing adversity by demonstrating they are equal to their peers.
"I grew up in a very small, conservative school district. I was he first out kid in my school district and I was teased a lot for who I was," Hannen said. "If we make this legal, it normalizes it, it makes it more of an accepted thing and that will filter into the rest of society so in ten years that boy who was like me in high school won't have an issue."
Officials are expected 3,000 people to pack a main room and have set up an overflow area to watch the 3:30 p.m. signing on TV. Those coming in are being screened by security and have been advised not to bring large bags, backpacks, sharp objects, umbrellas, strollers, liquids or signs.
The Democratic governor has brought up the desk from Springfield that his administration says President Abraham Lincoln used to write his first inaugural address. That speech, delivered on March 4, 1861 as the Civil War was unfolding, called on Americans to heed “the better angels of our nature.”
The stage is decorated in several dozen flags, alternating between the U.S. flag, the state flag and rainbow flags representing the GLBT community.
Seats are adorned with programs and miniature rainbow flags featuring the outline of the state of Illinois.
The celebratory tone is a marked departure from late May, when the legislation stalled in the House to the bitter disappointment of advocates who had been pressing for a vote on gay marriage since shortly after Illinois legalized civil unions in 2011.
Supporters soon launched a summer lobbying blitz that was buoyed by a U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman for the purpose of receiving federal benefits. While hailed as a major victory, the move created a situation in which gay and lesbian couples living in states that recognize same-sex marriage have more rights than their counterparts in states that haven't legalized gay marriage.
Suddenly, advocates were given a clear narrative as to why civil unions fell short in the protections they were designed to provide Illinois couples.
“It was huge,” said sponsoring Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago. “A lot of my colleagues asked why the next step of providing marriage was needed when there was no tangible benefit, but once the Supreme Court ruled that argument just crumbled.”
Harris said the ruling, combined with shifting public opinion in favor, helped accelerate the speed at which gay marriage was approved in Illinois. But it was not without some bumps along the way, including several legislative setbacks that even saw Harris the target of some gay rights advocates who weren’t happy with the way he was handling the bill.
Ultimately, the legislation got the final boost it needed after powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan intervened. Madigan, who represents the city’s Southwest Side, is also chair of the state Democratic Party – meaning he controls the purse strings to large chests of campaign money that could be vital should one of his members face a primary challenge over their decision to vote in favor gay marriage.
Meanwhile, opponents led by religious organizations say they fear the measure doesn’t go far enough to protect their rights. While the bill would prevent religious groups from being forced to perform or host wedding ceremonies for gay couples, they argue faith-based organizations may be forced to provide health insurance to an employee’s same-sex spouse.
Further, opponents contend the measure has little to no protections for wedding photographers, bakers or other service providers who could face legal action if they refuse to work for same-sex couples due to their religious beliefs.
Under the bill, the definition of marriage in Illinois would change from an act between a man and a woman to one between two people. Once signed, civil unions could be converted to marriages within a year of the law going on the books. Approximately 6,500 applications for civil unions have been filed since 2011, with about 4,000 originating in Cook County.
Even after Quinn signs the bill into law, it won’t take effect until June 1. Some lawmakers are pushing a separate bill that could move up the start date by several months.
Cook County officials say they’ve begun preparing for what they expect to be a huge demand for wedding licenses on June 1, which is when ceremonies can begin under the legislation. That date falls on a Sunday, but a spokeswoman for Cook County Clerk David Orr said his office will be staffed and ready. That includes the possibility of providing special waivers so couples don’t have to wait until the day after receiving their wedding licenses before they can be married.
There’s also the possibility that the June 1 date could be moved up under legislation backed by Sen. Don Harmon, a Democrat from Oak Park. If that bill is passed, gay marriage would go into effect when the governor signs the proposal into law. It’s possible the measure will be voted on when lawmakers return to Springfield after the New Year, though they face a light schedule before the March 18 primary election.
Harmon said he's weighing whether it's fair to ask his colleagues to take another difficult vote so soon after voting for gay marriage, acknowledging a later effective date was the trade-off for getting the measure passed this year because a delay in implementation meant just 60 votes were needed to pass the bill instead of 71.
But Harmon said he was worried that declining health or other circumstances would mean some couples who've spent years waiting for the right to marry may not be around by the time ceremonies can be conducted.
"I'd just hate to leave people poised on the precipice of equality to be told they can't commit - yet," said Harmon.
Sponsoring Rep. Harris said he’s focused on getting the bill signed before taking up the possibility of moving up the start date, adding that in several decades gay marriage will be the norm not the exception.
“We’ve had ten years of history with this in states across the country, and what has happened is that families are protected, couples are happier and children are taken care of and then life goes on,” Harris said.
Illinois had been poised to become the 15th state to legalize gay marriage when lawmakers approved the legislation earlier this month, but was beat to the punch when lawmakers in Hawaii passed same-sex marriage, which was quickly signed into law by their governor last week.
The Democratic governor has brought up the desk from Springfield that his administration says President Abraham Lincoln used to write his first inaugural address. That speech, delivered on March 4, 1861 as the Civil War was unfolding, called on Americans to heed “the better angels of our nature.”
The stage is decorated in several dozen flags, alternating between the U.S. flag, the state flag and rainbow flags representing the GLBT community.
Seats are adorned with programs and miniature rainbow flags featuring the outline of the state of Illinois.
The celebratory tone is a marked departure from late May, when the legislation stalled in the House to the bitter disappointment of advocates who had been pressing for a vote on gay marriage since shortly after Illinois legalized civil unions in 2011.
Supporters soon launched a summer lobbying blitz that was buoyed by a U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman for the purpose of receiving federal benefits. While hailed as a major victory, the move created a situation in which gay and lesbian couples living in states that recognize same-sex marriage have more rights than their counterparts in states that haven't legalized gay marriage.
Suddenly, advocates were given a clear narrative as to why civil unions fell short in the protections they were designed to provide Illinois couples.
“It was huge,” said sponsoring Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago. “A lot of my colleagues asked why the next step of providing marriage was needed when there was no tangible benefit, but once the Supreme Court ruled that argument just crumbled.”
Harris said the ruling, combined with shifting public opinion in favor, helped accelerate the speed at which gay marriage was approved in Illinois. But it was not without some bumps along the way, including several legislative setbacks that even saw Harris the target of some gay rights advocates who weren’t happy with the way he was handling the bill.
Ultimately, the legislation got the final boost it needed after powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan intervened. Madigan, who represents the city’s Southwest Side, is also chair of the state Democratic Party – meaning he controls the purse strings to large chests of campaign money that could be vital should one of his members face a primary challenge over their decision to vote in favor gay marriage.
Meanwhile, opponents led by religious organizations say they fear the measure doesn’t go far enough to protect their rights. While the bill would prevent religious groups from being forced to perform or host wedding ceremonies for gay couples, they argue faith-based organizations may be forced to provide health insurance to an employee’s same-sex spouse.
Further, opponents contend the measure has little to no protections for wedding photographers, bakers or other service providers who could face legal action if they refuse to work for same-sex couples due to their religious beliefs.
Under the bill, the definition of marriage in Illinois would change from an act between a man and a woman to one between two people. Once signed, civil unions could be converted to marriages within a year of the law going on the books. Approximately 6,500 applications for civil unions have been filed since 2011, with about 4,000 originating in Cook County.
Even after Quinn signs the bill into law, it won’t take effect until June 1. Some lawmakers are pushing a separate bill that could move up the start date by several months.
Cook County officials say they’ve begun preparing for what they expect to be a huge demand for wedding licenses on June 1, which is when ceremonies can begin under the legislation. That date falls on a Sunday, but a spokeswoman for Cook County Clerk David Orr said his office will be staffed and ready. That includes the possibility of providing special waivers so couples don’t have to wait until the day after receiving their wedding licenses before they can be married.
There’s also the possibility that the June 1 date could be moved up under legislation backed by Sen. Don Harmon, a Democrat from Oak Park. If that bill is passed, gay marriage would go into effect when the governor signs the proposal into law. It’s possible the measure will be voted on when lawmakers return to Springfield after the New Year, though they face a light schedule before the March 18 primary election.
Harmon said he's weighing whether it's fair to ask his colleagues to take another difficult vote so soon after voting for gay marriage, acknowledging a later effective date was the trade-off for getting the measure passed this year because a delay in implementation meant just 60 votes were needed to pass the bill instead of 71.
But Harmon said he was worried that declining health or other circumstances would mean some couples who've spent years waiting for the right to marry may not be around by the time ceremonies can be conducted.
"I'd just hate to leave people poised on the precipice of equality to be told they can't commit - yet," said Harmon.
Sponsoring Rep. Harris said he’s focused on getting the bill signed before taking up the possibility of moving up the start date, adding that in several decades gay marriage will be the norm not the exception.
“We’ve had ten years of history with this in states across the country, and what has happened is that families are protected, couples are happier and children are taken care of and then life goes on,” Harris said.
Illinois had been poised to become the 15th state to legalize gay marriage when lawmakers approved the legislation earlier this month, but was beat to the punch when lawmakers in Hawaii passed same-sex marriage, which was quickly signed into law by their governor last week.
Clout Street
mcgarcia@tribune.com
Twitter @moniquegarcia
mcgarcia@tribune.com
Twitter @moniquegarcia
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