The US state of Illinois has voted to legalise civil unions, a move which will be sealed once its Democratic Governor Pat Quinn officially signs it off. The state Senate approved the legislation 32-24. It passed despite complaints from some senators that civil unions threaten the sanctity of marriage or increase the cost of doing business in Illinois. It means gay and lesbian couples will be able to get official recognition from the state and gain many of the rights that accompany marriage, such as the power to decide medical treatment for an ailing partner. Five states already allow civil unions or their equivalent, while five other states and Washington DC let gay couples marry.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 2nd December 2010 - 1:24pm