Posted by Ray Long, Monique Garcia and Rex Huppke at 2:58 p.m.; updated at 7:04 p.m. SPRINGFIELD --- Civil unions would be allowed in Illinois beginning next year for same-sex couples under legislation the House passed today.

Sponsoring Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, called on his colleagues to join the arc of history that has gradually eliminated discrimination on social issues ranging from allowing women the right to vote to knocking down numerous social and legal barriers standing in the way of giving rights to people of color.“We have a chance today to make Illinois a more fair state, a more just state, and a state which treats all of its citizens equally under the law,” Harris said. "We have a chance here, as leaders have had in previous generations, to correct injustice and to move us down the path toward liberty."The measure now goes to the Senate, where a similar bill passed in committee today.

Rick Garcia, political director of the gay rights organization Equality Illinois, hailed the bill’s passage as historic.



“I think it was telling that as the bill was being discussed the governor came out onto the floor and got a standing ovation,” Garcia said. “We’ve taken a huge step toward fairness. We are thrilled.”

Posted earlier today

A push to legalize civil unions for same-sex couples in Illinois cleared a small hurdle today at the Capitol.

An Illinois Senate committee advanced the measure 6-2 along party lines. The proposal would give same-sex couples the chance to enjoy several of the rights afforded married couples, such as visitation at hospitals and making end-of-life decisions.

Sponsoring Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria, said the measure took on a special meaning to him because he has a daughter who is gay.



But Bob Gilligan, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois, said the civil unions bill equates to same-sex marriage.



"Marriage,” Koehler said, “has religious connotations that we are not addressing, we are talking about equality under the law of Illinois...This permits certainty for those that are in committed relationships."



The action took place as the sponsor of a civil unions bill in the House scrambled for votes for a similar bill in the House. It remains unclear whether a civil unions measure will pass during what's supposed to be the final week of the fall session.