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Illinois Reacts to Same-Sex Marriage Vote
WEB EXTRAS:
Watch Andrew Hansen's entire interview with Bishop Paprocki.
Read statements on the Senate vote by Gov. Pat Quinn, Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, and Senate President John Cullerton.
See how each lawmaker voted on the bill.
Read the full text of the bill.
Watch story: Marriage Could Have Mental Health Benefits for Gay Couples
Watch story: Same-Sex Marriage Passes Senate
Sound off on the vote on our Facebook page
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Same-sex couples are one step closer to being able to marry in Illinois. The state Senate gave its thumbs-up this afternoon. But that's not to say there wasn't some drama associated with the vote.
All of the Senate Republicans voted against legalizing same-sex marriage except for one. Central Illinois Sen. Jason Barickman supported it, saying it was the right thing to do. Three Democrats--all from downstate--also broke away from their party, to vote against gay marriage.
The 34 to 21 vote was met with cheers after about two hours of discussion on the Senate floor. Democrats said it brings justice to people disenfranchised by state laws. But Republicans continued to voice concerns over whether the bill violates religious freedom.
Advocates were excited about the vote.
"Today was a very exciting day for a lot of the families we serve, specifically those in the past who had a civil union and are now hopefully able to say they'll be wife and wife and husband and husband," Anthony Martinez of The Civil Rights Agenda said.
But one lawmaker questioned the Senate's priorities.
"While working into this marriage bill, our bond rating has hit an all-time low," Sen. Dan Duffy (R - Barrington) said. "Our pension debt is exceeding $96 billion, and we are adding $700,000 every hour."
The leader of the Catholic diocese in Springfield said the gay marriage vote on Valentine's Day is a mockery of St. Valentine.
Appearing live on Sunrise This Morning, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki said the problem with the approach is as a "redefinition" of marriage. He said it looks at marriage primarily as "romance" and "sentimentality." However, the bishop said, that is only a part of marriage. Ultimately, he said, marriage is about family, and the connection with family.
We asked the bishop about one of his recent writings, in which he described gay marriage as "intrinsically evil." Specifically, Andrew Hansen asked, "A lot of people question that tone. They argue if two people are in love, and God calls us to love, how is that evil?"
"There is nothing evil about love," Paprocki said. "But there is a problem if the expression of that love and sexual acts that are against natural law. We have to remember that marriage is not an institution that was created by the Catholic church. It was not created by Christianity. It precedes Jesus Christ. It's an institution of natural law and something God created between a man and a woman."
The bill exempts churches from having to host ceremonies for same-sex couples at their facilities. It doesn't exclude schools or social service agencies.
The bill now moves to the House, where sponsors think they can get it passed.
People who are already a part of a civil union could convert it under the law. Since the governor signed a law legalizing civil unions two years ago, 5,100 couples have applied for a license.
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WEB EXTRAS:
Watch Andrew Hansen's entire interview with Bishop Paprocki.
Read statements on the Senate vote by Gov. Pat Quinn, Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, and Senate President John Cullerton.
See how each lawmaker voted on the bill.
Read the full text of the bill.
Watch story: Marriage Could Have Mental Health Benefits for Gay Couples
Watch story: Same-Sex Marriage Passes Senate
Sound off on the vote on our Facebook page
