Illinois

CHICAGO -- Gov. Pat Quinn says Illinois has a chance to make history before the end of the legislative session, and is pressuring House lawmakers to act on the issue of marriage equality. [ Read more → ]

CHICAGO — A candidate for the chairmanship of the Illinois Republican Party who supports same-sex marriage has pulled out of contention for the post. [ Read more → ]

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn on Thursday called on state lawmakers in the House to send him the bill that would legalize same-sex marriage, and said they have had enough time to consider the pending legislation. [ Read more → ]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady resigned Tuesday, citing his wife's battle with cancer and his desire to focus on family after six tough years in Republican politics. [ Read more → ]

CHICAGO -- Four country music stars are announcing their support for legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage in Illinois. [ Read more → ]

CHICAGO — A coalition of Chicago-area black clergy have started "robocalls" in opposition to legalizing same-sex marriage in Illinois. [ Read more → ]

With Rhode Island poised to become the 10th state to legalize same-sex marriage following a key vote in the state’s General Assembly scheduled for Thursday, supporters of marriage equality are shifting their focus to other states. [ Read more → ]

CHICAGO — The leader of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus has signed on to co-sponsor a measure that would authorize same-sex couples to marry in the state. [ Read more → ]

TINLEY PARK, Ill. -- Tensions flared Saturday over who should lead an Illinois Republican Party grappling with internal divisions and fallout from a dismal showing in the 2012 elections. [ Read more → ]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The top Republican in the Illinois House won't say how he would vote on a measure that would allow same-sex couples to marry. [ Read more → ]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- A Republican leader in the Illinois House said Monday that his support for legalizing gay marriage in the state could persuade colleagues to join him on an issue he says has "tremendous momentum," while the Governor told reporters he's confident same-sex marriage will soon become law in Illinois. [ Read more → ]

CHICAGO — A group of black Chicago area clergy members say they're supporting gay marriage not as a religious issue, but because it's a matter of equality. [ Read more → ]

CHICAGO -- GOP Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois said Tuesday he supports same-sex marriage, becoming the second sitting Republican senator to make such an announcement in recent weeks. [ Read more → ]

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. -- A 12-year-old middle school student was branded with a homophobic slur in the latest school bullying incident, in which his mother describes as the "last straw." [ Read more → ]

CHICAGO -- Chicago-area black clergy amped up opposition to a measure that would legalize same-sex marriage in Illinois, airing radio ads and "robo-calling" residents in black communities urging them to ask their representatives to vote against the bill. [ Read more → ]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Seven U.S. Congress members from Illinois are urging state lawmakers in Springfield to support a bill to legalize same-sex marriage. [ Read more → ]

An Illinois state lawmaker, appearing on a Catholic radio broadcast recently, said same-sex relationships are "completely disordered" and for that reason she is "more than happy" to vote against marriage equality. [ Read more → ]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- A proposal to make Illinois the 10th state to allow gay marriage will face a "very difficult" reception in the Illinois House, Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan said Wednesday as advocates vowed to continue pushing for the legislation. [ Read more → ]

Updated: 2:20 p.m. CT CHICAGO -- The Illinois Republican Party's central committee backed off an attempt to fire party chairman Pat Brady on Saturday, amid concern that ousting him because of his support for gay marriage could damage GOP efforts to appeal to more moderate... [ Read more → ]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Two Illinois Republicans are finding out that for all the talk nationally of the GOP becoming more inclusive and appealing to voters by softening stances on social issues, it's difficult to actually follow through. [ Read more → ]