Quinn Sets Date To Sign Illinois Same-Sex Marriage Bill

Gov. Pat Quinn will sign legislation on Nov. 20 to allow same-sex couples to marry in Illinois.

The signing ceremony is scheduled to take place at 3:30 p.m. that day at the University of Illinois at Chicago Forum, the governor's office confirmed.

“Marriage equality is coming to Illinois,” Quinn said. “I look forward to signing this landmark legislation on November 20 and celebrating a big step forward with the people of Illinois.”

The Illinois Senate on Tuesday followed a long-awaited House vote to approve gay marriage. The bill passed the House 61-54, obtaining the 60 votes needed for passage. The Senate passed it an hour later.

Quinn said earlier this week he hopes to see "lots and lots of people at the bill signing" and noted Thursday that the "momentous celebration will be free of charge and open to the public."

"I invite you to celebrate with the many people who worked tirelessly to make marriage equality possible in Illinois," he said.

Further information about attending the signing is available at Equality.Illinois.gov.

Quinn signed civil union legislation into law in 2011. Since then, the governor's office said more than 6,000 Illinois couples have joined in a civil union.

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