Illinois Senate Democrats are delaying a vote on a plan that would make Illinois the 10th state in the nation to legalize gay marriage.
A spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton says the proposal to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples will get a committee hearing Thursday but there aren't currently enough votes to pass it on the floor.
Spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon says she doesn't know how many votes there are for the plan or when it might be called. Some Democrats were not in attendance Thursday. Phelon says no Republicans supported it. Cullerton's Democrats have 35 seats in the Senate -- five more votes than needed for passage.
Mercedes Santos and Theresa Volpe, who were among dozens of supporters of gay marriage who waited most of the day Thursday for a hearing on the subject. They say they raise their children with positive values from their Catholic church in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago: "It's very unfortunate that other people feel -- have negative feelings for our family. Because really all we are is we are a loving family — a loving couple. And we have great children. Our children, they're here, they're so patient. They know they're here to support their moms and their family, and you know, what more can we ask for? And we want Illinois to know that."
It goes without saying gay marriage is a contentious issue. Only one Republican senator voted for civil unions two years ago, and he's no longer a member. That means supporters would have to look for the bulk of their votes from among Democrats. But there are several Democrats who oppose gay marriage — Sen. John Sullivan is from Rushville, in west-central Illinois. In keeping with his Downstate district, he's one of the more conservative members of the Democratic caucus: "The saying around here is, 'You vote your district,' and that's always important. But there's also, when you get into — on these types of issues — you get into where you believe personally where it needs to come from, so I think that that's more relevant in some of these bigger social issues."
It's just that sort of personal conscience that's left his fellow Democratic Sen. Mike Jacobs, from the Quad Cities area, undecided: "You know, as a Catholic, I understand the religious push-back, and people saying marriage is for a man and woman. But I also understand that love takes many forms in the new modern society that we live in. And if people love each other, should they not be able to marry? I just think those are really difficult questions."
Foes of gay marriage says it's wrong to deal with a matter of such importance in a rush. In a letter to members of the General Assembly, some of Illinois' top religious leaders say the prospect of legalizing gay marriage is "full of serious danger." The letter represents more than 1,700 religious organizations and was signed by a Chicago-land Islamic council; Lutheran, Anglican and Mormon leaders; five Catholic bishops and Cardinal George of Chicago. Robert Gilligan is director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois: "We think it could be a violation of our religious liberty and religious freedom, especially as it relates to employment benefits and the usage of space."
Meanwhile ,Lt. Governor Shelia Simon and gay marriage supporters were stumping with actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson. On the ABC comedy "Modern Family," he plays a gay man raising a daughter with his partner. It's a role he says he also plans to live with his real-life future husband. Ferguson says he wants to raise a family in an equal America. Simon says the bill would have a positive impact on family law in Illinois. Ferguson and other advocates lobbied the General Assembly Thursday morning in favor of the bill.
The Legislature is in lame-duck session until Jan. 9, when the new session is sworn-in.
