A measure that aimed to extend survivor benefits to the same-sex partners of Chicago Public School teachers failed, 43-67, after a long debate.
HB 4731 was sponsored by openly gay state Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, who vowed to keep fighting for its passage despite the setback. The measure would have extended survivor benefits, at no cost to taxpayers, to the same-sex partners of Chicago Public School teachers who have passed away.
'I think people were just not ready for it,' said Chicago Teachers Union ( CTU ) lobbyist Traci Cobb-Evans. Cobb-Evans added that although CTU was very clear about why such a bill was needed, she thought many legislators still believed its passage would 'open up a can of worms.'
CTU is an organization of educators seeking to advance teacher's rights, improve learning conditions and promote quality public education.
Among issues brought up during the debate were concerns over the bill being 'discriminatory' against unmarried straight couples and that the level of commitment in same-sex partnerships was vague and undefined.
In a statement made following the failure of the bill, Harris said that he hoped the passage of a civil unions law in Illinois would help solve these concerns that were brought up during the extensive debate.
'Otherwise, these arguments seem to be a smokescreen for continuing to deny fair and equal treatment for all Illinois families,' Harris said in the statement.
Chicago-area state representatives largely supported the bill.
'I think it's going to take years for people to realize it simply helps those few teachers who are being treated unfairly,' Cobb-Evans said. Cobb-Evans said that the bill would have impacted only about seven households if it became law, CTU estimates. Only a handful of Chicago teachers have qualified domestic partners.
Although the bill's failure is a disappointment to CTU, Cobb-Evans said the organization is pleased that the bill at least made it out of committee and onto the floor for a third reading and standard debate, as opposed to last year.
'We'll just start anew next year,' Cobb-Evans said.
She added that CTU plans to work toward getting more CTU members involved and having one-on-one conversations with lawmakers to see what is holding them back on supporting the bill.