Operatives from the coalition lobbying for same-sex marriage equality in Illinois said Oct. 24 they were confident that a vote on SB10, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Equality Act, would take place sometime when the Illinois House meets for the second part of the veto session Nov. 5-7.
John Kohlhepp, campaign director of Illinois Unites for Marriage, said in a town hall conference call that members of the coalition were energized by the March on Springfield rally Oct. 22, which took the first day of fall veto session.
The vote did not take place that day or the next, however, and the Oct. 24 session was cancelled.
Admitting that Oct. 22-23 were days in which the House was "getting re-acclimated to Springfield," Kohlhepp nevertheless reported positive developments.
"There was so much that happened behind the scenes this week, and I really feel great about where the bill is going to go," Kohlhepp said, pointing out an additional co-sponsor signed on to SB10, state Rep. Deborah Conroy.
SB10's chief sponsor, state Rep. Greg Harris, has said he would call a vote only when he was secure in the knowledge that the affirming votes would be there. Supporters were anticipating a vote this past May, but, on the last day of the session, Harris addressed the House, and said a vote would not take place so colleagues could return to their districts and confer with their constituents.
Organizers said that it was vital to get the message across to Harris that a vote was expected within the last days of the veto session. A petition drive was launched Oct. 25 in order to convince Harris that supporters expected him to call it.
A vote during the veto session complicates issues of timing should SB10 indeed be passed. While 60 votes are needed, passage with less than 71 votes means that an amendment would have to be written that would allow for marriages to begin in the state prior to June 1 of next year.
When Illinois Unites' campaign staff came on board this past summer, they said they would indeed push for 71 or more votes. In the intervening months, few additional politicians have been forthcoming with at least public support for the legislation. Gov. Quinn, a vocal proponent of marriage equality, has promised to sign the bill following its passage in the House.
"What we're experiencing now in Illinois and what we experienced this year is really nothing different than what we've experienced in almost every state where marriage has been successfully secured for LGBT couples," said Lynne Bowman, regional field director for Human Rights Campaign, in the Oct. 24 call.
On Oct. 25, Kohlhepp told Windy City Times that little planning has taken place should the vote not happen by Nov. 7.
"There is no plan B. We're entirely focused on the veto session," Kohlhepp said. "We built this campaign so Greg Harris can keep his promise."
Rumors about delaying the vote until next year have risen up in the past weeks, as some politicians might fear primary challengers invigorated by a positive vote on SB10; the primary registration deadline falls after the veto session. But Kohlhepp stressed that a vote next year might be even more unlikely, as those officials would also be in their full-blown election cycle.
"There's always a reason on a two-year campaign cycle to not take a courageous vote," he added. "Still, once this vote is taken, those who vote for it will be able to look back on it and be proud."
"Illinois families cannot wait anymore. The Supreme Court made very clear that it has to be marriage," Kohlhepp stressed.
See related article at Marriage vote predictions here: www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Marriage-vote-predictions/44981.html .
