Monday, April 1, 2013
Cook County Clerk David Orr's lawyers filed a brief in defense of a lawsuit attempting to overthrow the state's ban on same-sex marriage.
Cook County Clerk David Orr’s office is taking a stance against opponents of same-sex marriage. On Monday, Clerk Orr's lawyers filed a brief in opposition to a motion to dismiss a lawsuit challenging Illinois' same-sex marriage ban. Orr was the original defendant in the suit to overturn the state’s ban on gay marriage: Darby v. Orr. However, the longtime equal rights advocate, along with Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, refused to defend the state ban, the Chicago Phoenix reports. Instead, Orr sided with the 25 plaintiffs across the state—from Evanston to Rock Island, Hyde Park to Alto Pass—who were denied marriage licenses. As a result, downstate County Clerks Kerry Hirtzel and …
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
The bill now faces one final obstacle: the Illinois House floor.
The Senate-cleared same-sex marriage bill took its first step towards passage in the state House today after passing a 6-5 Executive Committee vote, the Chicago Tribune reports. READ: Illinois Senate Passes Historic Same Sex Marriage Bill The bill now faces what is expected to be its toughest challenge yet. House floor action is essentially the last step in its passage as Gov. Pat Quinn already expressed his endorsement of the bill. Get the rest of the story by the Chicago Tribune
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Two local sponsors say yes, but the decision will not likely come easily. What's your take on allowing gay scouts in local troops?
A decision by the Boy Scouts of America may soon put the decision to allow gay scout participation in the hands of local sponsors. This includes the congregation of Faith United Presbyterian Church and the Tinley Park Police Department. Both sponsor Tinley scout troops, and both are bracing for the upcoming decision, according to the Chicago Tribune. "I think the congregation would (support lifting the ban on gay scouts) ... but it would not be a unanimous decision or an easy decision, and it would require some people to struggle deeply with their faith," United First Reverend and Eagle Scout Adam Malak said. Bill Brady is the committee chair of Tinley police sponsored Troop 911. He, too, anticipates allowing gay membership in his troop, …
Thursday, February 14, 2013
The bill will now move to the House of Representatives where it will have to pass committee and floor action before going to Gov. Quinn.
A bill to legalize same-sex marriage passed the Illinois Senate early Thursday afternoon, making a happier Valentine's Day for gay couples across the state. The Senate passed the bill—SB 10—with 34 votes in favor, 21 votes against and two abstentions. The bill will now go to the House of Representatives, where it will need 60 votes to pass. The bill will now go over to the House of Representative where it will have to repeat the same process before going to Gov. Quinn, who already voiced his support of the bill in a Chicago Tribune report. If passed, the state law defining marriage would be changed from an act between a man and a woman, to two people. "I've been told it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when it's going to be done," …
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Legislators in support of same-sex marriage have a long way to go, but the ball is rolling.
A same-sex marriage bill may be voted on in the Illinois Senate as early as Valentine’s Day, the Chicago Tribune reports. Sen. Heather Seans, D-Chicago, sponsored the bill in last month’s lame duck session, but it took until Tuesday for it to advance past committee action in a 9-5 vote, according to the report. The bill will now go to floor process where the entire Senate will consider its passage. Should it make it through the Senate readings, it will go before the House, where the process will be repeated. If it passes the House—a big "if," according to the Tribune—it then goes up for consideration by Governor Pat Quinn. Quinn recently told the Tribune he completely supports same-sex marriage. For more, read the Chicago Tribune report.
Monday, February 4, 2013
The decision whether to allow gays in the scouts has been held for about three months, as the organization faces strong pressure from people for and against gay membership.
Update: The Boy Scouts of America announced Wednesday that they will not make an official vote on its position on gay members until May. One year after reaffirming its stance against gay membership, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) will vote this week on whether to lift the ban, the Chicago Tribune reports. The BSA board is convening at the organization’s headquarters in Texas to discuss the controversial decision, reports say. The board has said it will consider lifting the national restriction against gay membership, instead leaving the call up to local troop leaders. A Wednesday vote will determine how the group proceeds, but there’s already plenty of influence on both sides of the fence. On Sunday, President Barack Obama strongly voiced…
Bob
2:39 pm on Thursday, April 4, 2013
Yeah, SURE Baba! Gee, how many times has he filed complaints and had DEM voter frauds arrested and prosecuted since he's been in office?LOL Few if ANY! Unless you think the corrupt Dem machines are clean as the driven snow on election day, let's just say some of the most agregious voter fruad in the nation is "protected" by Orr and Anita "What publc fraud and corruption?" Alvarez! more ›