What more needs to be said? The politicians of another Mid-Western state   
   have bowed to the pressure of the gay and lesbian militants, who are a very   
   vocal minority in most places.   
      
      
   Illinois Gov. signs historic civil unions law   
      
   By TAMMY WEBBER - The Associated Press   
      
   January 31, 2011   
      
      
   CHICAGO -- Gov. Pat Quinn, saying it was a "day of history," signed   
   legislation Monday legalizing civil unions for gay and lesbian couples,   
   making Illinois one of about a dozen states that extend significant legal   
   protections to same-sex couples.   
      
   About 1,000 people crowded into the Chicago Cultural Center to watch Quinn,   
   a Democrat, sign the measure that supporters call a matter of basic fairness   
   and opponents decry as a threat to the sanctity of traditional marriage.   
      
   "We believe in civil rights and we believe in civil unions," Quinn said   
   before signing the bill to a roar of cheers and applause.   
      
   The law, which takes effect June 1, gives gay and lesbian couples official   
   recognition from the state and many of the rights that accompany traditional   
   marriage, including the power to decide medical treatment for an ailing   
   partner and the right to inherit a partner's property.   
      
   Five states already allow civil unions or their equivalent, according to the   
   Human Rights Campaign. Five other states and Washington, D.C., let gay   
   couples marry outright, as do some countries, including Canada, South Africa   
   and the Netherlands.   
      
   Illinois law will continue to limit marriage to one man and one woman, and   
   civil unions still are not recognized by the federal government.   
      
   Chicago residents Amanda Barlow, 43, and Mimi Reynolds, 47, said they will   
   hold a civil union ceremony this summer. The couple, who have 4- and   
   5-year-old boys and have been together 14 years, had considered traveling to   
   other states that allowed same-sex civil unions or marriage, "but I kept   
   telling her 'No, it's going to happen here in Illinois,'" Barlow said.   
      
   "For us to witness and see it happen and to realize that we're both living   
   our dreams . . . it just solidifies who we are as a family," Barlow said   
   after the bill-signing. "So I'm speechless because I feel like I'm living in   
   a dream come true."   
      
   They also appreciate the law's protections: When Barlow was diagnosed two   
   years ago with breast cancer, Reynolds had to produce documents from a   
   lawyer to prove to hospital officials that she had the right to visit Barlow   
   and help make decisions.   
      
   Now, "all those who . . . might have to go through this someday won't have   
   to go through a lawyer just to have basic rights," Reynolds said.   
      
   Opponents, including some religious and conservative groups, said the law is   
   a step toward legalized same-sex marriage.   
      
   "Marriage was not created by man or governments," David E. Smith, executive   
   director of the Illinois Family Institute, said Monday. "It is an   
   institution created by God. Governments merely recognize its nature and   
   importance."   
      
   Some hope civil unions are a step toward full marriage for gay and lesbian   
   couples, although sponsors of the civil union bill have said they don't plan   
   to push for legalizing same-sex marriages, which have limited support in the   
   Legislature.   
      
   Cardinal Francis George and other Catholic leaders also vigorously fought   
   passage of the law. The measure doesn't require churches to recognize civil   
   unions or perform any kind of ceremony, but critics fear it will lead to   
   other requirements, such as including same-sex couples in adoption programs   
   run by religious groups or granting benefits to employees' partners.   
      
   The legislation, sent to Quinn in December, passed 61-52 in the Illinois   
   House and 32-24 in the Senate.   
      
   "Illinois is taking an historic step forward in embracing fairness and   
   extending basic dignity to all couples in our state," John Knight, director   
   of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Project of the ACLU of Illinois,   
   said in a written statement issued hours before the bill-signing.   
      
      
      
   Jeff Snyder, SysOp - Armageddon BBS  Visit us at endtimeprophecy.org port 23   
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