130 Comments - S - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:26 pm: Rep. Harris speaking on behalf of the bill. Compares Civil Unions to prioir historical developments, such as: 1.) The right of women to work 2.) Interracial marriage Says those who supported such progress at the time were remembered by history, and this bill offers those in the chamber today a chance to be remembered by history as well. - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:26 pm: Harris is pointing out the benefit of the bill to hetero senior couples. An excellent point that gets overlooked in all the rhetoric. - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:28 pm: The bill will have little or no effect on state pension or insurance costs. - So. ILL - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:30 pm: Bill Isn’t that because this is already something that is recognized by the state for state workers and their partners? - Matt - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:30 pm: Dumb question- Has this passed the senate yet? - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:32 pm: SoIll, Yes, Rod extended these benefits in his first year. - The truth - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:33 pm: They need to pass this bill… it is the right thing to do. - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:34 pm: What a suprise! Stephens is speaking against the bill. - Served - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:35 pm: Slippery slope and think of the children(!) in one sentence from Stephens. - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:36 pm: “open homosexuality becomes accepted in higher society” Huh?? - S - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:36 pm: Harris calls it a sound middle ground - those to the left of him are unhappy “settling” for anything less than marriage, those to the right of him are unhappy with the threat to traditional marriage. Rep. Stephens rises to speak against the bill, says this concerns him as the first step down slippery path towards marriage, that’s what how he sees it. - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:37 pm: Ostermann speaking in support. - Served - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:37 pm: Bill, it was that sentence that made me realize that I’m going to have to stop live blogging this. An utterly bigoted, mind-blowing statement followed by, “we honorably oppose this bill”. - EazyTurner - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:37 pm: Ah, the old “Gay marriage caused the collapse of the Roman Empire” defense. Of all the issues that could lead to the collapse of the Illinoisian Empire, this ain’t it. - Lamar - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:38 pm: Acceptance of homosexuality leads to the downfall of civilization? Thanks for the history lesson, Stephens. - Anon - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:39 pm: Someone grab Rep. Stephens a drink. That way when this bill passes, he can get behind the wheel and leave town before “society crumples.” - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:40 pm: God job, Harry. You’ll be a great alderman. - Anon - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:41 pm: A guy with a DUI should not be your chief spokesperson for any bill. It is just too easy. Cross has had him speak on two bills today, Med MJ and Civil Unions. - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:41 pm: Deb Mell…”We don’t need everyone’s blessing” - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:42 pm: Mell is tearing up. - Anonymiss - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:44 pm: Bravo on your compelling remarks, Rep. Mell. - Damen - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:45 pm: Thanks for these updates. Keep them coming, I’m stuck on the Metra. - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:45 pm: Dunkin rises in support. “My brother is openly gay…. a responsible adult…I respect his decisions and his rights. - Damen - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:48 pm: Dunkin or Durkin? - fantasma - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:48 pm: gordon made it down! - Wensicia - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:48 pm: Loving v. Virginia now brought up. - haverford - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:48 pm: I second Damen’s emotion. Nice work, livebloggers. - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:49 pm: Careen Gordon…in support. Brings up Loving v. Virginia case…interracial marriage was a crime. Overturned by USSC. - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:51 pm: Gov’t has no business imposing some people’s religious beliefs. - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:54 pm: Feigenholz.. in support - Scooby - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:56 pm: It’s not often I compliment Illinois Review but they did a good live blog of the Medical Marijuana debate earlier, and now they have another live blog for this bill, for those of you trying to follow on the train or watering hole. - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:57 pm: Larry McKeon was forced to leave the deathbed of his partner because he didn’t have his paperwork. - Matt - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:57 pm: So has this passed in the senate or not? - wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:59 pm: Stephens on medical marijuana — with his track record! — and now civil unions. Is he really the House GOP intellectual heavyweight and top debater? Must be part of the sinister Madigan Conspiracy. The GOP can’t possibly be trotting him out there willingly, could they? If they are, it’s no wonder the Illinois GOP was virtually the only loser in an historic, national GOP landslide in statehouse races a few weeks ago. Tina Fey couldn’t make this stuff up. - Nikoli - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 5:59 pm: @Matt No, I don’t believe it has. - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:00 pm: “Vote on the side of the angels today.” - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:01 pm: Alderman Will Burns in support. “I’m an outsider, not black enough for my neighborhood, too balck for my white schoolmates.” - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:02 pm: Leader Lang in support. - EazyTurner - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:02 pm: Matt- The amendment creating civil unions was adopted in the house; the Senate would need to vote on it upon passage - Wensicia - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:03 pm: “Nothing in this bill takes ANYTHING away from ANYONE!” - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:03 pm: They must have the votes. I wish they would just call the question. - Anon - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:04 pm: To the Reps reading CapFax on the floor, Please do the right thing. Vote yes, and be on the right side of history. - ZC - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:06 pm: It’s telling and fascinating that nobody besides Stephens is standing up and making any speech against this bill. - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:06 pm: “..What right do any of us have to tear that down. We should encourage people to be together…” - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:07 pm: Naomi Jacobsen in support. - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:08 pm: “When my own daughter came out I was glad she came to me.” - Served - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:08 pm: The lack of opposition among the speakers is telling of either A) the level of support for this bill or B) the cowardice of those afraid to explain their votes and their position on this issue. - Anon - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:11 pm: Served, For some reason I feel it is B. - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:11 pm: David Reis… 31 states have defense of marriage in their constitutions. Are you ready for gay marriage? It won’t take long for people back home to know about your vote. - fantasma - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:12 pm: Reis - stands up and makes the argument that voting for civil unions could lead to legalizing gay marriage. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:13 pm: Gov Quinn just walked onto the House floor. - Newsclown - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:13 pm: I think the GOP figures Stephens is a lame duck for his seat anyway, so let him ride point on these social issues, and if he gets a lot of voters riled up, it was a pinch-sacrifice play. They know they are on the wrong side being against these bills, but they have to play to their base and look like they fought the good fight. - NIref - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:14 pm: Soy Boy up to bat. - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:15 pm: Gov. Quinn is recognized - fantasma - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:15 pm: Quinn is on the floor! - ZC - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:15 pm: OK there’s another “no” speech by David Reis. And in all fairness, he has a point - some state courts have used the justification, that a state already passed a civil union bill, as a further reason to order those states to enact gay marriage. But I cannot see how that could apply to Illinois, given that marriage is currently defined as opposite-sex in the Constitution. - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:16 pm: Beaubien.. Now is the time to support this bill! - amalia - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:16 pm: Please, Please, Please pass this bill. it’s the right thing. - ZC - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:16 pm: Whoops, I should think before I type. I’m wrong on the previous comment. It’s statute but not Constitution. - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:18 pm: Bill Black…I lived through the civil rights era. There would be no civil rights act if if wasn’t for Everett Dirksen. He supports bill. - amalia - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:18 pm: is that Black with an Aye? - EazyTurner - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:18 pm: Representatives Black and Beaubien, both Republicans, rise in support. Looks like this thing is going to get passed. - Bill F - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:18 pm: Bravo, Bill Black. That was outstanding. - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:19 pm: David Miller in support. - I'm Just Saying - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:19 pm: Kudos to Bill Black…….. I have always had the ustmost respect for this man, I have it now Ten Thousand Fold today - Anon - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:20 pm: Well done Rep. Black! Bravo - Spectator - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:21 pm: “Quinn is on the floor!” To sway whom, with what? - ZC - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:21 pm: Very powerful statement by Bill Black - Wensicia - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:21 pm: Greg Harris, you have every right to be emotional. Great job! - amalia - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:21 pm: this is deeply moving. - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:22 pm: Harris to close. tearing up. thanks speakers on both sides. We’ve seen the better part of ourselves today. - Scooby - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:23 pm: If this passes the Governor deserves a lot of credit for creating the environment for the timing. I’m not sure people would have allowed a social issue to come up now when the financial situation is so dire without the Governor campaigning on the issue and calling for passage. - Publius - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:25 pm: The Senate will take this up tomorrow, I’ve been told that it will pass there too - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:25 pm: Here it comes! - amalia - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:26 pm: AWESOME!!!!!!!!! and thanks for the timely posting, Rich! - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:26 pm: YES! verification - Bill - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:27 pm: 61-52 passed - zeke - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:28 pm: A vote for civil rights! Kudos to all those who rose in support. Very moving. Alright Senate let’s pass this thing tomorrow. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:30 pm: –There would be no civil rights act if if wasn’t for Everett Dirksen.– Rep. Black is 100% correct. An appeal to the better angels of our nature. That’s the Illinois GOP that led the nation. - EazyTurner - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:32 pm: Will we get another video of the electronic voting like we did for the Medical Marijuana bill earlier? - Rhino - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:33 pm: I’m proud of our State House - Betsy - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:36 pm: Who were the 2 present votes? - Wensicia - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:40 pm: @Rhino Isn’t it great when they get it right? It restores my faith in human nature. - Nikoli - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:42 pm: @Betsy Mayfield and McCarthy - amalia - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:44 pm: anyone on this list with a surprise vote? anyone who should be called out for gutlessness? i’m not close to the legislature, so just wondering. thanks for any evaluation of the actual votes. - Anon - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:45 pm: Amalia, I would argue the two present votes were the most gutless. At least take a stand on the issue. - Louis XVI - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:48 pm: Bill Black - a true statesman. - Stateline - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:51 pm: Congrats and thank you to those who voted “Yea.” You have a place of honor in Illinois history. Kudos to Gov. Pat Quinn for supporting this important civil rights legislation. Thank goodness for those who take a public stand against discrimination. - Publius - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:51 pm: The Illinois House will never be the same without Bill Black, we may not have seen eye to eye but every time I met him he was the nicest person and he truly cares. When I worked for the House he was always a favorite among both parties. He is a true Statesman and I would vote for him for any office if I could - Nikoli - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:51 pm: Amalia, I’d argue that the 52 who voted No should have expressed the reasoning for their vote a bit more. Stephens and Reis were, for all intents and purposes, the only two who spoke in opposition, where as many spoke in favor. If the bill passed overwhelmingly, I’d say two speaking against is a decent cross section, but with less than 10 votes separating the two sides, I think more of those opposing the bill should have articulated their rationale. - surge voter - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:53 pm: I nominate Joe Lyons for the gutless list, a member of the Democratic “leadership” team. Maybe he should switch parties. And Amalia, you are correct about the two present votes, they should be on the list also. - one day at a time - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:54 pm: Thanks to all who voted yes in this vote….Now on to the Senate for another affirmative majority vote and to Gov. Quinn for his signature into law!!! It only makes sense. - amalia - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:55 pm: Thanks everyone so far for cluing me up. I’m seeing Mulligan and Saviano as Yes and McAuliffe, Lyons as no and I’m wondering. that’s the first geographic pattern that makes me wonder. I mean, Crespo voted yes!!!!! so i’m wondering. - amalia - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:57 pm: @surge voter, Anon at 6:45 deserves the props re the present votes, but thanks for thinking it was me! - Newsclown - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:59 pm: c- EazyTurner - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 6:32 pm: “Will we get another video of the electronic voting like we did for the Medical Marijuana bill earlier” Maybe I’m the only one seeing it cynically, but if you track that earlier video of Lang back to that republican-funded news organization’s main YouTube page, it starts to seem like a lot of slanted coverage designed to generate “awareness” of Lang directly coupled to Marijuana. That couldn’t possibly be part of a subtle strategy, could it? Certainly, they are making no *overt* editorial comment; they would be the first to tell you they are “just reporting the facts.” And that is completely true, as far as it goes. Still, it seems very…. focused - on Just Lou and Pot. This was the kind of thing I was talking about, when I said I agreed with the Correspondent’s Association not taking these guys in with open arms. I sense a non-news agenda. More subtle than most, but there. Get out while you can, Ben. - Cheswick - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 7:01 pm: I just walked in the door and read this and all the comments. I am so proud of the Illinois House for putting this important civil rights legislation on the path to soon becoming law. I have tears in my eyes. Is there a list of who voted no? - Dave - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 7:02 pm: Will we get to see who voted which way? - Former Downstater - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 7:04 pm: Here’s the voting tally- http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/96/house/09600SB1716_11302010_012000T.pdf - Dave - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 7:06 pm: Nevermind, found it. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/96/house/09600SB1716_11302010_012000T.pdf - Dave - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 7:06 pm: Ha, thanks I’m a little slow. - ZC - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 7:15 pm: If anyone has a link to Harris’ closing statement and the vote, a video, much thanks. Based on the comments it sounds like I’m not the only one who couldn’t get through during the final moments. - lake county democrat - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 7:40 pm: What’s up with the two who voted “present”? Aspiring to be President one day? - Not A Regular - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 7:57 pm: surge voter - I would not call Joe Lyons gutless. I would call him politically clueless. He probably will prefer to change parties rather than run in a Primary in the new District he will get in 2012. Will the Cardinal give him a job after he loses? - Catholic boy - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 8:03 pm: This is a victory for 60’s culture that has destroyed this country which started with the Warren Court. In 1960 prayer was legal in the schools, the unborn were protected by law and Childen respected their parents. I want 1960 America back! - Helm - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 8:05 pm: Shame on Joe Lyons, John D’Amico and Mike McAuliffe for voting against this bill. I realize they are all north west siders but c’mon!! You have safe districts so long as you have a pulse. While you may have a pulse, today brings into question whether you have a heart!! - bored now - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 8:06 pm: proud to live in illinois tonight. amazing, simply amazing… - Catholic boy - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 8:06 pm: Yeah and in 1960 Nixon won Illinois! That is the truth! Working class Conservatives must take control of this state. The Democrats lost their working class base by pandering to issues like this. - amalia - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 8:07 pm: Dear Catholic Boy: how confusing it must be to live in the Roman Catholic Church. prior to some time in the 1800s, abortion was not “from the moment of conception” and the pope was not infallible. then there’s the small matter of the church for the first few hundred years and women as priests and the first 1000 years with married priests. I’m sure Jesus would hardly recognize Christianity if he came over to your house! - Pink Girl - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 8:09 pm: Add Chapa-LaVia to the gutless list anti-Latino and anti-gay - Catholic boy - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 8:12 pm: I’m a traditional Latin Mass Catholic who is anti Vatican II. - Jon Zahm - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 8:15 pm: This is an illegitimate vote carried by those who have been replaced by their constituents by representatives who are firmly against this bill. Bassi for Morrison, Walker for Harris, Boland for Morthland, Gordon for Rezin. That would reduce the yes total to 57. Sente will be in trouble over her vote in that District. - bored now - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 8:17 pm: Catholic boy: it’s frickin’ pathetic that you yearn for a time where blacks were openly discriminated against, women were basically locked out of our economy and political structure, and homosexuality had to be hidden because of scared, insecure bigots like you. while my wife is catholic, she clearly has much, MUCH higher moral standards than you. there is nothing christian, nothing moral, nothing even remotely religious about someone who wishes that this country return to open discrimination of its citizens. you should be ashamed of yourself and your position, and as a christian, i will tell you that *i* am ashamed for you. your bigotry betrays christ, betrays his message of love and hope for the world, and demonstrates nothing but a self-righteousness — exactly the kind of thing against which jesus christ spoken openly and frequently about. thankfully, THIS COUNTRY has moved beyond the political and religious neanderthals like you who aren’t comfortable with the world unless they are repressing people who aren’t like themselves. your comment is not just pathetic, it’s disgusting and speaks to your own lack of morality. you sanctimonious jerk… - Publius - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 8:23 pm: Joe Zahn-How is this illegitimate? These people who voted were elected to serve until the 96th General Assembly ceases to exist which is in January.Until that time they can vote how they please - wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 8:25 pm: -=-I want 1960 America back!– Yeah, a lot of people sure have gotten uppity since then. People of color, women, gays, young people — and you know those folks in wheelchairs will never even TRY to walk if you keep pampering them with ramps and lifts. Nowadays, you turn a fire hose and dogs on peaceful marchers and all of sudden YOU’RE the bad guy. Heck, dude, why stop at 1960? Now 1860, that was a year. BBQs at Tara, a labor pool you could rely on (with proper supervision, of course). All Gone with the Wind. That’s when the Democratic Party was the Democratic Party (you wouldn’t be welcome, though, Catholic Boy). Lincoln, Grant, Sherman and those johnny-come-lately Republicans had to ruin it for everyone — well, not everyone. But white dudes like me. - Bejeweled - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 8:26 pm: I just fell in love with “bored now”. Couldn’t have said it better! - wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 8:27 pm: Catholic Boy, I do agree that Nixon won Illinois in 1960. No way my state would vote for a candidate who would take his orders from the Pope. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 8:42 pm: CB, which is your favorite book — Matthew, Mark, Luke or John? Or maybe you haven’t gotten that far yet. Check them out. They’re like the original New Deal. - anon - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 8:49 pm: Michael Zalewski and Michael Carberry belong on the gutless list. Both appointed to their seats and instead of voting with the values of their constituents that they are supposed to represent, they vote with the party leaders that paved the way for their appointments. - Skeeter - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 8:54 pm: Catholic Boy, you don’t have a clue what the city was like in 1960. - just sayin' - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 9:14 pm: Once again the IL GOP shows itself as irrelevant. - amalia - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 9:33 pm: oh, wait, I get it….Catholic Boy is a parody! he’s kind of like the Stephen Colbert of the blog. No, wait, Stephen Colbert is a gay rights loving, sunday school teaching, practicing Roman Catholic. my brain must be fogged from joy over this vote. My Roman Catholic raised husband sends his regards to the bigots in the dresses. - Cheswick - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 10:22 pm: LOL. - TJ - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 10:46 pm: umm….. why’s the bill labeled as such? “Short Description: CIV PRO-DEATH OF PARTY” - Publius - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 10:54 pm: That was the original bill, then they amended it to add the Civil Unions and kept the old bill too - Robert Hiyane - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 11:00 pm: Amalia: The Catholic Church always taught against abortion dating back to the 1st Century Didache as well as early Christian practice of rescuing abandoned babies and stopping infanticide. There was some debate as to when “ensoulment” happened and at what point. It is science that reveals that life begins at conception and not religion per se. Religion may guide and even compel people to protect human life. St. Thomas Aquinas and others speculated that life began after 30 or 40 days but still prohibited abortion. Science today as clarified as to when life begins. Look at the work of Doctor and geneticist Dr. LeJeune. Civil Unions is a different issue from abortion. It seems that adults should be allowed to leave inheritance and hospital visitation to whom they think is best. If it moves to marriage it will change the paradigm. - TJ - Tuesday, Nov 30, 10 @ 11:04 pm: ==That was the original bill, then they amended it to add the Civil Unions and kept the old bill too == Ah, gracias. - Robert Hiyane - Wednesday, Dec 1, 10 @ 1:30 am: Where is the vote available? - hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, Dec 1, 10 @ 2:59 am: The roll call is here: http://ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/96/house/09600SB1716_11302010_012000T.pdf Thank you to all Illinois reps who voted yes to this legislation no matter the party affiliation. I know some may have voted differently were they not retiring or otherwise not returning to Springfield after this session, but whatever the reason, thank you for standing up for what’s right and fair and decent and picking up the slack where your more cowardly colleagues didn’t dare tread. - Wizzard of Ozzie - Wednesday, Dec 1, 10 @ 3:55 am: Governor Quinn has played an instrumental role in passing this legislation. Anyone in the capitol who was not preoccupied with power purchase agreements saw members one by one walking into the Governor’s office for meetings the last two days. Both Dems and Republicans. Great timing coming onto to the floor to lend weight to the bill. Congrats to Greg Harris (one of the best human beings I’ve ever met, after the bill he went over to Stephens and Reis to shake their hands, pure class); Rep. Mell; Sara Feigenholtz (for her longtime championing of the rights of those in her district); Rep. Osterman for his strength and clarity of thought; Rep. Gordon for laying out a compelling justification; Rep. Burns for extraordinarily thoughtful and insightful comments. Best speech I’ve ever heard on the House floor; Rep. Dunkin for his bravery; Rep. Beaubian for his strength and class; and to Rep. Bill Black, for being one of the most thoughtful, productive, engaged and committed members that this building has ever seen. - Bejeweled - Wednesday, Dec 1, 10 @ 7:59 am: As a state employee, is my partner through a civil union entitled to my retirement benefits? I saw the question earlier but didn’t see a definitive answer. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.