Thu. January 3, 2013
Springfield, IL -
A bill legalizing gay marriage in Illinois passed a Senate Executive Committee on Thursday by an 8-5 majority vote. The legislation will be considered by the full Senate later.
State Senator Heather Steans of Chicago sponsored the marriage bill, filed as an amendment to HB4963 after a procedural setback for the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act (HB5170).
Three key absences initially hurt efforts Thursday morning to get the legislation before the committee; however, a hearing started just after 3 o'clock to consider the legislation.
HB4963 passed to cheers in a Statehouse committee room just after 5:30 p.m. The 8-5 vote was divided between party lines after testimony was heard in the both for and against the amendment.
The Senate will have to be called back for a special session on Jan. 8 if they are take up marriage equality before Jan. 9.
According to Equality Illinois, Thursday's vote was the first time an Illinois legislative body has taken a vote on extending the freedom to marry.
This is a breaking story, updates coming.
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