EDGE Chicago

When state Sen. Heather Steans introduced the Equal Marriage Act (Senate Bill 2468) late last week, Illinois became the latest state to join in the nationwide conversation over nuptials for gays and lesbians. The bill, however, has met with political fireworks from Democrats and Republicans alike.

The proposed legislation, a companion bill to state Rep. Greg Harris’ House Bill 178, would allow the state to legally recognize same-sex marriages while still allowing religious institutions to refuse performing them. The bill will mark the first time the State Senate will discuss marriage for gays and lesbians.

"I think [gay marriage] is the right thing to be pushing for," Steans told EDGE. "The ultimate goal for all of us is full marriage rights so getting it out there will only help. There’s not that many times in your life where you’re able to take action on such an issue of civil rights, to be in the position that would provide such a basic equal protection to citizens. This is the right fight to be fighting."

Steans’ announcement was met with mixed reactions from the state’s LGBT activists. While some were pleased to see the issue back in front of legislators, others questioned the bill’s timing so late in the legislative session with just over three weeks to go. Existing civil union and marriage proposals Harris has sponsored have failed to gain much traction among state lawmakers in recent years.

"We were very excited because our mission and vision is for that of full equality for LGBT people in the state of Illinois," Bernard Cherkasov, chief executive officer of Equality Illinois, said of Steans’ bill. "Our goal is to work toward that vision until full equality is achieved, and when an important state legislator introduces a bill for that, of course we’re excited."

Jim Madigan, Steans’ openly gay rival for the Democratic nomination to the Seventh District Senate seat, is chief among those who continue to question Steans’ motives. In an interview with EDGE, he explained his concerns with the bill’s strategy and why he has referred to Steans’ move as a "publicity opportunity" to other media outlets.

"I will never criticize our community for saying we should go for marriage because we deserve full equality, but I question when folks are using our rights as a political point," Madigan explained as he noted Steans does not plan to move forward with the legislation until the start of next year’s session. He also questions whether Steans actively spoke with LGBT community leaders - who’d busily lobbied for the past two years on the existing legislation - before its introduction. "I think it’s inevitable to ask yourself if this is happening because the Senator has an openly gay primary challenger. If that’s what’s going on with the introduction of a bill without accompanying action to try and pass it, then that’s not only a strategy I’d question as a member of the gay community, but that’s something that I find pretty insulting."

Republican challenger Adam Robinson, who supports marriage for gays and lesbians, also criticized Steans’ introduction of the bill. He described it "a politically-motivated pander to our LGBT families" in an interview with On Top Magazine.

In response to the criticisms, Steans maintains she consulted with "a large group of LGBT individuals, including Harris" on the bill. She further emphasized she is dedicated to an action plan to pass the proposed legislation beginning with next year’s legislative session.

"I’m introducing this bill because it is the right thing to be doing, and I suspect that [Madigan] fully supports the bill," Steans said. "I have constituents asking me every day where I stand on marriage equality and I wanted to do something about it, rather than just talk about it."