Illinois Senate Approves Same-Sex Marriage: How Elmhurst's Senators Voted

The Illinois Senate approved legislation Thursday that would allow same-sex marriage in Illinois, according to the Chicago Tribune. 

The Senate voted 34-21. The bill provides equal opportunity for the same federal marriage benefits to same-sex couples that are currently awarded to other couples.

Here's how Elmhurst's state senators voted: 

• 24th Senate: Kirk Dillard (R), No 
• 23rd Senate: Tom Cullerton (D), Yes

The 24th District includes nearly all of Elmhurst, and the 23rd District includes only a small portion of Elmhurst's west side.

See how each member of the Illinois Senate voted. 

The measure will now go to the Illinois House, where the fight to pass the bill is expected to be tougher, according to the Trib. 

Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to sign the bill if it makes it to his desk. 

Dillard had this to say in a Wednesday article on Illinois Public Media online: 

“Unless someone can prove to me that civil unions wouldn’t be enough, I would not sign a gay marriage bill. I believe you work on the civil union side of it to try to get equal rights that way, without infringing upon the beliefs of those who are religiously inclined.”

Dillard is eyeing a run for governor in 2014.

Let Patch save you time. Get more local stories like these delivered right to your inbox or smartphone with our free newsletter. Fast signup here. For a different take, like us on Facebook.