Quinn: Illinois should seize on gay marriage rulings
Gov. Pat Quinn says Illinois should seize upon the U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions on gay marriage and make it legal in the state.
Quinn calls it a “monumental day for freedom” and pledges to keep working with state lawmakers to make same-sex marriage — not just civil unions — legal in Illinois.
Wednesday’s court rulings struck down part of a law that denied federal benefits to legally married gay couples. The court also cleared the way for a resumption of same-sex marriage in California.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says the decisions are a major step forward in ensuring that “government won’t discriminate and will treat all love equally.” He also appealed for new momentum in Illinois.
State lawmakers declined to vote on gay marriage earlier this year.