CHICAGO — Gov. Pat Quinn will officially make same-sex marriage in Illinois legal Nov. 20, the governor's office said.
Illinois will become the nation's 15th state to embrace same-sex marriage during a ceremony at the University of Illinois at Chicago Forum at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 20.
"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."
On Tuesday, the General Assembly voted in favor of same-sex marriage, following a long push by advocates who were stymied last session when the House bill's chief sponsor, Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), could not muster the votes.
But the House bill passed, followed quickly by an amended version of a Senate bill originally passed in February.
"What this bill is about is love. It's about family. It's about commitment," said Harris, a Democrat from Ravenswood and the bill's main sponsor, moments before the vote. "At the end of the day, this bill is about the vision that the founders of our country had and wrote into our Constitution."
The bill's passage led to euphoric celebrations in Boystown. Mayor Rahm Emanuel stopped by gay hotspot Sidetrack to join in the celebration.
In August, for the second year in a row, UIC was named a top 25 school for LGBT students.
Those interested in attending the bill signing can register through the governor's website.
