Marriage equality passes Illinois House

by Laura Clawson for Daily Kos

Daily Kos Staff

Tuesday, Nov. 05, 2013 Tuesday, Nov. 05, 2013 at 2:15:31pm PST

no image description available — Coming soon to Illinois

Same-sex couple Steven Bridges (L) and Michael Snell exchange rings after filling out a marriage license at the City Hall in Portland, Maine December 29, 2012.  Same-sex couples can start marrying on December 29 in Maine, a state that made history on Elec

Coming soon to Illinois

Illinois is set to become the 15th state to pass marriage equality. The state House voted 61 to 54 in favor of a marriage bill after having been delayed since May. A 61 to 54 vote is a solid margin, but the bill needed 60 votes. The House was the only thing blocking marriage equality, so passage is now basically certain:

Because the bill was altered, it will have to return to the Senate, where Senate President John Cullerton says his members are prepared to approve it for the second time. Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn has long promised to sign the measure into law.

Congratulations, Illinois!