Ill. lawmakers introduce gay marriage bill

SPRINGFIELD – A year after gay couples gained the option of civil unions in Illinois, some lawmakers are pushing to authorize same-sex marriages.

Three legislators filed Wednesday what they call the “Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act.” It would eliminate the part of state law that now explicitly prohibits gay marriages and would offer same-sex couples the marriage rights now exclusively available to heterosexual couples.

The measure also says religious groups will be free to decide which marriages they will perform.

Rep. Greg Harris, who was instrumental in getting civil unions approved last year, said he doesn’t know whether gay marriage will get serious consideration during the Legislature’s spring session. He predicted the new bill will trigger a period of lobbying to build support.

With gay marriage gaining ground across the country, he said, Illinois could consider it soon. Washington state is on the verge of approving gay marriage, New York did so last year and an appeals court just struck down a California ban on gay marriages.