»Illinois: Gay marriage bill clears hurdle in Illinois as Senate committee approves bill, sends to full Senate.
Illinois Senate Delays Gay Marriage Floor Vote
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. January 3, 2013 (AP) - Illinois Senate Democrats are delaying a vote on a plan that would make the state the 10th in the nation to legalize gay marriage.
A spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton tells The Associated Press the proposal to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples will get a committee hearing Thursday but there aren’t currently enough votes to pass it on the floor.
Spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon says she doesn’t know how many votes there are for the plan or when it might be called. Some Democrats were not in attendance Thursday. Phelon says no Republicans supported it.
Cullerton’s Democrats have 35 seats in the Senate — five more votes than needed for passage.
The Legislature is in lame-duck session until Jan. 9, when the new session is sworn-in.
Thursday vote sought for Illinois gay marriage law
Illinois would be the 10th state to legalize same-sex marriage.
Illinois residents are encouraged to tell their state representatives, and state senators to support the measure.
Obama urging state lawmakers to legalize gay marriage in Illinois
President Barack Obama is urging the Illinois General Assembly to legalize gay marriage in his home state as lawmakers are poised to take up the measure as early as this week in Springfield.
“While the president does not weigh in on every measure being considered by state legislatures, he believes in treating everyone fairly and equally, with dignity and respect,” White House spokesman Shin Inouye told the Chicago Sun-Times on Saturday.
“As he has said, his personal view is that it’s wrong to prevent couples who are in loving, committed relationships, and want to marry, from doing so. Were the President still in the Illinois State Legislature, he would support this measure that would treat all Illinois couples equally,” Inouye said.
ELECTION ALERT: Illinois governor orders special election for Jesse Jackson Jr.'s old seat
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn said Monday that a special election will be held to fill the congressional seat vacated by former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who stepped down last week amid an ethics probe and ongoing health problems.
Quinn said a primary election would be held on February 26, which coincides with an already-scheduled local primary election, and proposed setting April 9 as the date for the general election to coincide with another previously-scheduled vote.
The governor’s statement said Quinn was working with state lawmakers to establish April 9 as the date of the general election, rather than an earlier date, since it falls outside the 115-day period established by state law to schedule a special election date.
Source: CNN
DNC: Mayor of Chicago, Illinois Rahm Emanuel
Illinois Democratic Primaries
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The College Democrats of America are excited to announce our 2012 CDA Winter Conference to be held on March 9- 10th in Chicago. 2012 will bring exciting new opportunities and challenges that we as youth organizers will face. We believe the first step to this success is forming new partnerships to better prepare our state and national leaders. CDA will be hosting joint trainings and sessions with the Young Democrats of America during our Winter Conference. This is our first time to collaborate with YDA, and we know our partnership will help pave the path to victory for Democrats in 2012. This year, more than ever, we are highlighting the importance of unity, collaboration, and strength.
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