After months of efforts by marriage equality advocates, the Illinois House has passed marriage equality. The vote passed the Illinois House by a margin of 61-54. It had previously passed the Illinois Senate in February, so the law will go to Governor Pat Quinn, who has urged its passage and said he will sign it.

The marriage equality law was supported by businesses such as Groupon, religious leaders such as United Methodist Bishop Sally Dyck, elected leaders such as Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel and President Obama, and even the former chair of the Illinois Republican Party, Pat Brady. Last month, thousands rallied in Springfield, calling for marriage equality to be passed.

In May, Rep. Greg Harris withdrew the bill when it was apparent that he did not have the support for the bill. He voted to reintroduce it in the veto session, which is now in its final week.

"Finally, LGBT citizens of Illinois will live with the security that marriage provides," said Wilson Cruz, GLAAD's National Spokesperson. "This day has been a long time coming, and we thank the advocates who worked tirelessly to bring marriage equality to the state."