The New Yorker published an article about the bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in Illinois. The author points out that if Illinois were to join the other nine states where same-sex marriage is currently legal, twenty percent of the U.S. population would live in states where the freedom to marry is granted to all citizens. The article also mentions the ACLU of Illinois court case, Lazaro & Matos v. Orr seeking marriage equality in Illinois.

The legislature seems also to be moving in response to legal action by the A.C.L.U. and Lambda Legal challenging the civil-union statute. Both Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel now support full marriage equality.

Read the whole thing.

An article posted on DNAinfo.com highlights how African-American leaders throughout Illinois have leveraged their support for the bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in Illinois. Community, business and religious leaders joined politicians in writing a letter of support to the Illinois General Assembly stating:

"We remember that, not long ago, some states defined marriage as limited to people of the same race," it stated. "We were told marriage between people of different races was 'unnatural' and that society would be eroded if marriage changed. The truth is, marriage has evolved throughout history to reflect the needs and progress of society."

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