Tagged: same-sex marriage

Illinois moved one step closer to legalizing gay marriage Thursday. A Senate panel sent the measure to the floor on a strict party-line vote. But some key absences meant there weren't enough votes to pass it in the full Senate.

Lobbying efforts are intensifying with a vote on legalizing same sex marriage looming next month at the Illinois Capitol. The rhetoric is coming from both sides of the issue.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says the state's current prohibition against same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

The Democrat is throwing her weight behind a pair of lawsuits in Cook County court that are challenging the state's marriage laws. She says she personally supports gay marriage.

I don't believe that the current law that prohibits gays and lesbians from being able to marry in the state of Illinois - uh, meets - uh, equal protection," she said.