In a historic Valentine’s Day vote, the Illinois Senate passed a bill clearing the way for same-sex couples to be legally married in President Obama’s home state.
The bill was approved by a vote of 34 to 21 Thursday afternoon following a debate between lawmakers who both supported and opposed the measure.
State Sen. Heather Steans, a Chicago Democrat and the bill’s sponsor, called it “a vote for the history books,” according to the Associated Press. Watch her discussing marriage equality in the video below.
Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn has already pledged that if passed, he would sign the bill into law. In his State of the State address, Gov. Quinn urged both chambers of the state General Assembly to approve the bill. Before it comes to the governor, it must pass the House of Representatives.
