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A 9 to 5 vote on Tuesday by a committee of the state senate showed that the state of Illinois may be well on its way to giving gay couples the right to be married. 

With Democrats in favor of the change and Republicans opposed, the state is trying to implement this new law before Valentine’s Day next week. 

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Many of those opposed backed their opinions behind religious reasoning.

“This bill puts the state very much in the church’s business,” said minister Keith Williams.

Still, most people are enthusiastic about promoting equality within the state.

“Now is the time for the next step in providing equal rights to all people in Illinois,” Democratic Governor Pat Quinn said.

Illinois would be the 10th state (plus Washington DC) and the first Midwestern state to legalize same-sex marriages through the legislature if this change is approved by the full upper chamber and signed by Quinn next week. 

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However, critics argue that this topic should take a backseat, so that lawmakers can decide how to resolve the pressing financial crisis within Illinois.

Either way, it is nice to see a state that has recently been plagued with so much violence trying to promote equality and love within its residents. 

Do you think this change will be implemented by Valentine’s Day?

SOURCE: Reuters