After an embarrassing defeat earlier this year in the state House, when a promisee was not taken on the marriage equality bill, advocates are regrouping. Windy City reports:
The coalition needs to raise about $2 million, though they are working alongside and sharing resources with other organizations, among them Citizens United, Urban League of Chicago, Human Rights Campaign, Equality Illinois, Lambda Legal and The Civil Rights Agenda. “We formed a committee of people and asked for either $10,000 or $25,000 to get us started. …Between those groups, we’ve raised about $300,000 in cash and $200,000 in in-kind commitments,” said Bennett. Illinois Unites will hire 20 field operatives to work throughout the state; each will handle two targeted legislative districts.
Advocates have their eyes on two veto sessions this fall:
The veto session consists of two three-day weeks, one in October, the other in November. Kohlhepp said Illinois Unites will try to secure 71 votes for the legislation. He admitted that it would not be easy, but if the bill passes with fewer than 71, it would require an amendment in order to go into effect before June 1 of next year. The amendment would entail floor and committee votes in the House, as well as SB 10 having to be returned to the Senate. “With 71 votes, there’s no amendment. SB 10 becomes law thirty days after the governor signs the bill and SB10 does not have to back to the senate. Seventy-one votes is very, very hard to get, but we should be reaching for that goal. We should not have to go through three votes to get marriage equality in the state of Illinois,” said Kohlhepp.
Illinois would now be the 14th state to enact marriage equality, assuming Hawaii, New mexico, Pennsylvania or New Jersey (or insert your choice here) doesn’t beat them to it.
Find more articles and gay wedding resources in Illinois.
