News & Commentary

As we work our way through the final week of the legislative session in Springfield, we continue to wait for a vote on Senate Bill 10, which would approve the freedom to marry in Illinois. WBEZ reporter Tony Arnold spotlighted two different ways supporters of the act are choosing to spend these last few days as the legislative session comes to a close.

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.”

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The Chicago Phoenix covered a recent town hall meeting about the marriage bill. The meeting consisted of a panel of speakers from the Illinois United for Marriage campaign that included ACLU of Illinois staff attorney Karen Sheley. The ACLU of Illinois has hosted phone banks as part of the coalition's efforts to garner support for the marriage bill.

Capitol Fax, a blog focused on Illinois politics, publishes a letter from an African American veteran of the Marine Corps, discharged under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Marine Sargent Marquell Smith calls on legislators to pass the freedom to marry in Illinois. 

The Southtown Star published a strong editorial in support of the freedom to marry in Illinois. 

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The Sun-Times reports about a new round of robocalls in support of the freedom to marry bill. The calls are expected to make the rounds this week and will target Illinois black caucus member's districts. Civil rights activist Julian Bond, and former Chicago Bear Brendon Ayanbadejo will voice their support for gay marriage and persuade constituents to contact their legislators to urge them to vote for  the bill.

An editorial in The Chicago Sun-Times called on undeclared members of the Illinois legislature to stand up for the freedom to marry. The bill is within a few votes of passage and is expected to come up for a vote on the House floor in the coming weeks. Governor Pat Quinn has already promised his signature.