As we continue to wait for a vote on Senate Bill 10, support for the measure continues to grow.  An editorial in The Chicago Tribune speaks to the benefits of allowing same-sex couples the freedom to marry and what it will mean for the state of Illinois. Civil unions have been legal in Illinois since 2010.  But couples in civil unions are denied many federal benefits available to married couples. For many, the fight for marriage is a fight to have their relationships recognized under federal law. Senate Bill 10 does not require churches and ministers to administer gay marriage ceremonies and assures that churches will not be penalized for refusing to allow same-sex ceremonies. What Senate Bill 10 does allow is to, “reward committed relationships, promote stable families and safeguard the interests of children with same-sex parents.” Governor Pat Quinn has also urged lawmakers to vote on this historic piece of legislation and to join the 12 other states who have already “cast a vote for history.” Public opinion polls show huge support for same-sex marriages and the numbers continue to rise. The ACLU of Illinois as part of the Illinois Unites for Marriage coalition has been behind this bill from its beginning and our work is not yet over. These next few days are of the utmost importance and we encourage you to show your support for Senate Bill 10 by contacting your legislator and encouraging them to cast their vote for the right side of history.

Illinois State Representative La Shawn Ford announced Tuesday that he has pledged his support for Senate Bill 10, approving the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples, when it is called for a vote this week -- the final week of this session of the General Assembly. Ford told The Chicago Sun-Times that it was his community that helped him with this decision. He said, "I got tons of calls in support, and the constant lobbying and support for the measure from those that believe this is a right they deserve is what really pushed it over the top. I just think that all the credit goes to the community that lobbied hard for the measure. It's a page out of the civil rights movement to show that when you work hard and come together, things change. And how do you vote against something where so many people have worked so hard to fight for?”

As we approach the end of the legislative session in Springfield, it is crucial that we reach out to our legislators and show our support for the freedom to marry. You can look up your legislator at the Illinois Unites website and let them know that you are in support of Senate Bill 10. We only have a few days left to make Illinois Lucky Number 13 for the freedom to marry!

Yesterday, Memorial Day, America remembered and honored the many brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifices fighting for our freedoms and liberties. Laura Washington, columnist for The Chicago Sun Times, wrote an article highlighting one Illinois Marines’ continued battle for his own freedom, the freedom to marry. Marquell Smith called on leaders in the African American religious community to support the Marriage Fairness Act, which will be called to a vote in the Illinois General Assembly in the next few days. Smith is quoted as saying, “Equality begins when people in positions of power enable everyone to live lives of decency and dignity, free from any prejudice in the law. Black folks did not want anyone’s permission to live freely.” Yet, “despite our legacy we are now the very people denying others their equal rights.”

Veterans like Smith who identify as LGBT have sacrificed much for our country and for every American to enjoy equal rights and liberties. But they themselves are not free to marry the ones the love. Though Memorial Day has passed, it is never too late to honor our men and women in uniform by granting them the same rights they fight for every day.  The ACLU of Illinois urges you to show your support for marriage equality and to spread the word to your friends and legislators.

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