Tagged: same-sex

Will be updated.

The Illinois Senate has voted to legalize same-sex marriage, advancing a proposal that would make the state the 10th in the nation allowing same-sex couples to wed.

In a 34-21 vote Thursday, lawmakers approved a measure to lift a state ban on same-sex marriage. The bill now moves to the House, where Democrats also hold a majority.

Illinois Public Radio's Amanda Vinicky reports in a tweet that the vote didn't quite come down on party lines:

As expected via reports this morning, two lawsuits filed Wednesday are part of efforts to legalize same-sex marriage in Illinois.

They're filed on behalf of 25 gay and lesbian couples who were denied when they tried to apply for marriage licenses in Cook County.

The lawsuit names Cook County Clerk David Orr, who actually supports gay marriage. He says it's past time for Illinois to allow county clerks to issue marriage licenses to couples who want to make a commitment.

Nixon to sign funding stream for Mo. veterans homes

Gov. Jay Nixon is set to sign legislation that provides a dedicated funding source for the state’s veterans homes.

The measure redirects casino fees that now benefit early childhood programs into a trust fund for the Missouri Veterans Commission. Those early childhood funds will be replaced with money from the state’s tobacco settlement.