Heather Steans
State Senator
Legislative Update


 
Dear Neighbor,

The United States claims to be the most free and independent country in the world. Yet all of our citizens do not have equal rights. In Illinois, same-sex couples have to fight to visit each other in hospitals, make health care decisions, and raise children together.

On October 1st, I was able to do something as a Senator that has never made me feel more proud or honored - I filed the Equal Marriage Act, a bill that would allow same-sex couples in Illinois the right to marry. Senate Bill 2468 will clarify equal marriage rights for same-sex couples across the state - a right that is already enshrined in our constitutional language and traditions.

Rep. Greg Harris (D-13th) has introduced civil union and equal marriage bills in the House each session for each of the past two General Assemblies, but nothing had ever been filed in the Senate.
 
Five progressive states - Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and our neighboring, Iowa - now have full marriage equality. In Maine, voters will go to the polls to decide whether equal rights should be granted to same-sex couples.
 
It is under consideration in many other states, and should be made clear to everyone in Illinois that this is a fight we will not quit. Everyone should have the same rights that my husband and I have, and I plan to work hard with my colleagues in the Senate to bring Illinois back to the forefront of human rights.
 
Sincerely,
 
Heather
 
Read SB2468 by clicking here.