SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois lawmakers took a step toward offering legal recognition to gay couples Tuesday when the House narrowly voted to create civil unions that would carry some of the benefits and obligations of marriage.
Supporters presented it as a matter of basic
fairness. Opponents argued it moves Illinois closer to legalizing same-sex
marriages.
Democrats broke into applause after the 61-52 vote
was final, giving the bill's sponsor a standing ovation.
"It's a matter of fairness. It's a matter of
respect. It's a matter of equality," said the sponsor, Rep. Greg Harris,
D-Chicago.
The measure now moves to the Senate, where
supporters think they have even more support. Senate President John Cullerton,
D-Chicago, said he plans to call the bill for a vote Wednesday and is
optimistic it will pass.
Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, who visited the House
floor during Tuesday evening's debate, said he would sign the bill if lawmakers
send it to his desk.
Cardinal Francis George and other Catholic leaders
have fought civil unions, but Quinn, who is Catholic, said he has no reservations
about supporting the measure.
"My religious faith animates me to support
this bill. I think that people of good faith, maybe, can disagree and have
different points of view," Quinn said.
With civil unions, Illinois law would treat gay and
lesbian couples as if they were married. They would inherit property when a
partner dies, for instance, and they could make medical decisions for one
another in an emergency.
Illinois law would continue to reserve the word
"marriage" for unions between a man and woman. And federal law
wouldn't recognize the civil unions, meaning gay Illinois couples couldn't file
joint tax returns.
Emotions ran high during the debate.
Rep. Deborah Mell, D-Chicago, broke down as she
discussed the possibility of her partner, Christin Baker, falling seriously
ill. She said current law would bar doctors from consulting her about Baker's
condition because they have no official recognition.
Many legislators mentioned former Rep. Larry
McKeon, who was Illinois' first openly gay lawmaker. Hospital administrators
turned McKeon away when his longtime partner was dying, saying he had to go
home and get documents proving he had the right to visit. By the time McKeon
was able to get the document and return, his partner had died.
"It's appalling that anybody would think
that's OK. It's not OK," said Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie.
On the other side of the debate, Rep. Ron Stephens
quietly insisted his opposition was based on principle, not animosity toward
homosexual people. "Just call me an old-fashioned traditionalist,"
the Greenville Republican said.
Few lawmakers spoke against the legislation. Those
who did argued civil unions are a step toward legalizing same-sex marriage,
perhaps by court order.
"Are you ready for gay marriage? Because that
very well could be what comes out of this," said Rep. David Reis, R-Willow
Hill.
Lobbyist Rick Garcia had a response for such
concerns: "You are correct."
Garcia, director of public policy for the
gay-rights group Equality Illinois, said he considers civil unions a poor
substitute for marriage but hopes the move eventually leads toward marriage
rights for gay couples. He and other supporters say same-sex marriage has
little support in the Legislature right now, so civil unions are the most they
can get.
At least five states already offer civil unions. A
handful of others have legalized same-sex marriages.
Critics have also argued the legislation could hurt
religious institutions, even though its official name is the "Illinois
Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act."
The measure wouldn't require churches to recognize
civil unions or perform any kind of ceremony, opponents acknowledge, but they
fear it would lead to other requirements, such as including same-sex couples in
adoption programs run by religious groups or granting benefits to employees'
partners.
Copyright
2010 The Associated Press.
