—Illinois state Rep. Kelly Cassidy: "This historic decision sends the message that all families are equal in the eyes of the law. Today, same-sex marriage becomes 'marriage.'"

—AIDS Foundation of Chicago President/CEO John Peller: "The AIDS Foundation of Chicago ( AFC ) is elated that the Court struck a blow against prejudice, discrimination, and inequality, ruling that states cannot deny the rights of same sex individuals to enter into a loving and lawful marriage. This ruling represents a pivotal and enormous victory for civil rights!"

—Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel ( official statement ): "By ruling that every American has a right to marry whomever they love regardless of where they live, today marks one of the great civil-rights victories of our time. It is a victory for America's true values of treating everyone equally under the law. I want to thank every resident of the City of Chicago who fought to make today's historic victory possible."

—Cook County Clerk David Orr: "Marriage equality will now be the law of the land, and there is no turning back. I am thrilled that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of marriage equality, agreeing with the majority of Americans that same-sex couples throughout the United States should enjoy the right to marry."

—U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill.: "Today is the day we have been waiting for. Today, the Supreme Court unequivocally affirmed that the Constitution guarantees the fundamental right of all Americans to marry who they love. Finally, equal justice under the law means marriage equality for all."

—Equality Illinois CEO Bernard Cherkasov: "It feels amazing to be a part of this moment when our nation recognizes our freedom to marry. I am jubilant. But I am also mindful that this work is far from over. Changing laws is just the foundation for securing lived equality, and that is going to require a sustained effort. And we have to commit our voices and resources to the fight for a society that's fair not just for ourselves but that is fair to everyone."

—U.S. Senate candidate Andrea Zopp, D-Chicago: "I applaud this decision and join with all who believe in the freedom to marry in congratulating all of the individuals, organizations and leaders who have fought for decades to move the nation toward this watershed moment. The words 'Equal Justice Under Law' are engraved on the facade of the court, and today's decision reaffirms those words and our tradition in America of expanding the scope of justice."

—Illinois state Sen. Heather Steans: "This morning, the U.S. Supreme Court announced a decision that represents a historic leap forward, based on values written into our Constitution almost 150 years ago. ... This victory will be long remembered in the history of America's uneven but unstoppable progress toward living up to its foundational principles and, as Justice Kennedy put it, allowing all 'persons, within a lawful realm, to define and express their identity.'"

—Chicago Ald. Tom Tunney ( 44th Ward ): "We are all thrilled with the Supreme Court ruling today that legalizes same-sex marriage in all 50 states—a day that many of us thought we would never see in our lifetime.

"We have fought hard to secure equal rights and must continue to share in the responsibility of building a great community, society and country.

"It's important to remember that we still have work to do. In other states you can still be fired for being LGBT. A situation that is hurtful to employees and employers alike. Youth homelessness still disproportionately affects our community, and transgender visibility and acceptance are just gaining ground in many places. HIV/AIDS is still with us and the stigma surrounding it is pervasive."

"This is a banner day for our community and we look forward to celebrating this and our many victories this weekend at the Pride Parade and other Pride events.

"Our theme this year is 'Keep Pride Proud,' and I ask that everyone visiting our neighborhoods take pride in themselves and community—with behavior that reflects this motto.

"Please use the CTA, walk or bike to join us this weekend, celebrate responsibly, and 'Keep Pride Proud.'"

—Writer Mark Zubro: "I was outside the Stonewall Inn in New York this morning. Someone—I forget who—has a live blog commentary thing on the Supreme Court. It started streaming a few seconds after 10 a.m. New York time. I followed along on my computer. First they said that Justice Kennedy was reading the decision and my hope soared. And in minutes the decision was confirmed.

"On the streets of New York, I wept. The crowd around the Stonewall and at Christopher Park was, maybe, 60 people when the cheers broke out. Maybe it was slightly more than 100 people by the time I left an hour and a half later. There were lots of people taking pictures. Reporters from what looked like every major news outlet in New York were there with their big vans and logos. They were talking to people and filming. But it was a quiet crowd. Smiling and of good cheer. People taking pictures in front of the Inn itself, of each other, of happy couples, with happy couples holding hands, giving each other kisses. Being there at such a moment of great good news was a tremendous joy. Joy to us all!"

—Chicago Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa ( 35th Ward ): "It is a humbling and overwhelming opportunity to stand as an elected official and celebrate the Supreme Court's ruling with not just the LGBQT community, not just with the people of Chicago, but with a country that has at long last declared that the fundamental right to marriage and family shall no longer be denied to my LGBQT sisters and brothers.

"To that end I say thank you. To every supporter, every fighter, every heartbroken would-be spouse, every parent, every ally who stood and said, we are not asking for our fundamental rights, we demand the fundamental liberties of all. Our fight is far from over. We will continue to fight for the rights of all members of our LGBTQ community—our trans sisters and brothers, immigrants facing abuse in ICE detention centers, youth facing homelessness. The fight for LGBTQ equality is not over until all members of our community are free to live with dignity."

—Howard Brown Health Center CEO David Ernesto Munar: "This decision reminds me that, in the fight for justice, presidential elections matter. Without President Obama's appointment of Justices Sotomayor and Kagan, legal and constitutional questions surrounding marriage and the Affordable Care Act might have been ruled differently. We must support, cajole and even nudge democracy—vigorously, at times—to advance and protect our most basic civil and human rights.

"From a public-health standpoint, marriage equality under the law begins to repair the psychological, social, and economic harms caused by homophobic laws and notions of the family. I hope our collective attention to marriage invites a new dialogue in the LGBTQ community about the quality of our relationships—platonic, intimate and familial—so that our unions, however defined and constituted, make us happier, healthier and more resilient.

"This victory notwithstanding, homophobia thrives in America. LGBTQ people will not enjoy true equality and the promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness until internal and external homophobia—and other forms of oppression—are forever remedied. Let's rejoice but not forget that too many LGBT people struggle with health disparities, poverty, racism, gender and nationality discrimination, and other forms of oppression. Their plight has not been alleviated; in fact, it's barely been addressed. May the fruits of this victory sow new champions and commitments for justice for all."

—Northalsted Business Alliance: "Today is a proud day. Northalsted salutes the Supreme Court for its decision to embrace marriage equality. As Chicago's Proudest neighborhood, we are thrilled to commemorate this history making milestone. We ask those that join us to celebrate to embody the mantra of 'Keep Pride Proud.'"

—Former state representative candidate Bill Downs Jr. ( 52nd District ): "I think this is well overdue, and I applaud the justices for doing the right thing now that we are able to take our love ones or even our document for folks like myself widowed to be recognized in all 50 states. Equality is now here, we need to remember everyone who has worked toward making this happen."

—Activist Michael O'Connor: After hearing the announcement, I called in to participate in the WVON radio conversation. After I was interviewed, I heard preachers on-air comments concerning the issue. They, of course, told the on-air WVON radio audience that the world was going to 'hell in a handbasket.'

I talked about the inability of some to remember that this is a public-policy decision and that was a "docket issue that was judicially decided. Then, I reminded the audience that it was my opinion that the same minsters preached about Leviticus as well as how I and others like me were going to burn in hell! I reminded the listeners that I just wanted the rights that every other American already takes for granted.

Furthermore, if the faith-based preachers in the African-American communities who oppose marriage equality in this city spent more time feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, they wouldn't have time to judgmental about who I marry.

Lastly, I'm reminded of the case in 1967 case Loving v. Virginia, and how OUR freedom still isn't free. We must continue to be vigilant.

—Illinois state Rep. Greg Harris: "Thank you, U.S. Supreme Court! And thank you to all the wonderful people who have fought for marriage equality!!! Across Illinois, people of goodwill—business and labor leaders, faith leaders, parents and grandparents, Democrats and Republicans—united to fight for equaltiy. Love won. Same-sex marriage is a protected right!"

—Dignity/Chicago: "Our commitment to the values of love, inclusion, family, and justice have inspired thousands of Chicago Catholics—both straight and LGBT—to work for this day, even when some leaders of our Church have instructed us to fight against it. It is wonderful to see the true values of our faith and our country affirmed today.

"Dignity/Chicago is deeply moved by the Supreme Court's sweeping decision to strike down state bans on same-sex marriage. This ruling recognizes marriage equality throughout the U.S. More important, as a law, it lifts a weight off the shoulders of same-sex families who have been struggling for equality for themselves and their children."

—Karen Gotzler, Milwaukee LGBT Center executive director: "As we raise our voices today in celebration of this decision from the Supreme Court, we do so knowing that this one decision cannot and will not by itself bring the full equality, justice and liberation to our nation that we demand. The attack on any one person in our collective struggle—whether because of their race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status or otherwise—is an attack on each of us here today who fight to be liberated to live freely and equally in our country."

—The Civil Rights Agenda Executive Director Anthony Martinez: "I am beyond overjoyed by this ruling! This ruling is a validation of the very democratic system that we are blessed to enjoy in the United States. Finally, the laws have caught up with the vast majority of individuals that believe that same-sex couples can and do lead committed and loving lives together, and thus deserve the same legal protections and responsibilities as any other married couples."

—Joe Murray, executive director of the Rainbow Sash Movement: "Today's Supreme Court decision was a long time coming. Now that we have the law of the land on our side, we must use that law, like the victims of sexual abuse have used it to bring the Church to a more reasonable position. We all worked for this decision and it is only right that we celebrate with joy, hope, humility and charity in our hearts. To those who opposed same-sex marriage—you lost, and the time now is to both move on and heal."

—Compiled by Andrew Davis