Groups Rally for Marriage Equality Protest in Chicago Heights Saturday

Following Gov. Pat Quinn's insistence that the Illinois House send him legislation to legalize gay marriage, groups on both sides of the issue will rally outside Rep. Anthony DeLuca's Chicago Heights office Saturday. 

Quinn is calling on legislators to put the bill on his desk, saying they've "had plenty of time to make up their mind on the issue," according to the Chicago Tribune. 

The measure passed through the state Senate on Valentine's Day. 

Members of Illinois Family—a group opposing gay marriage—will protest the legalization of same-sex marriage. Pro-gay marriage group Gay Liberation Network, which had previously scheduled its presence at a protest in Western Springs, has shifted its plans to attend the south suburban rally, instead. 

The group has decided to focus its efforts on Democratic representatives.

"Mike Madigan has decided to put zero political capital behind this bill," said Andy Thayer, of GLN. "... We put it squarely in Mike Madigan’s camp and the Democratic caucus as reason this thing has not gone through yet."

Gov. Pat Quinn echoed Thayer's impatience. 

“It's time to vote,” Quinn told the Tribune Thursday. “Illinois passing marriage equality into law, I think, sends a great signal to the people of our state and the people of America. So it's important to Illinois (that) the House of Representatives get going.”

—Associate Regional Editor Lauren Williamson contributed to this report.

It's easy to keep up with Patch!

• Join for free!
• Follow us on Facebook!