Illinois is now the sixteenth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Governor Pat Quinn signed that bill into law at a festive ceremony yesterday Wednesday.
The UIC Forum was packed with more than 2-thousand people -many waving little rainbow flags - each bearing the silhouette of the state of Illinois. The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus warmed up the crowd with an a-capella rendition of “America the Beautiful...”
Democratic Governor Pat Quinn got a standing ovation before making his remarks - where he quoted from Corinthians.
QUINN: (fade up)...love endures all things. Love never fails. And I’m gonna sign this bill right now! (cheers fade under).
Quinn then sat down at a wooden desk draped with red, white and blue bunting - a desk once used by Abraham Lincoln - and signed the bill, as Illinois’ most powerful politicians looked on.
County clerks in Illinois can begin issuing the first marriage licenses to gay couples starting June First.