* Background here and here. From the twitters…

Pretty overwhelming.

*** UPDATE *** Comments are now open. And here’s some more from the Tribune…

A floor debate over the platform language on marriage grew raucous, when opponents successfully reinstated the 2012 wording to define marriage instead of the recommendation that “non-traditional families are worthy of the same respect and legal protections as traditional families.”

Ryan Higgins of the west and northwest suburban 8th Congressional District faced shouts of “Go Home!” as he spoke in favor of the new language and the “diversity of views” on same-sex marriage. Higgins noted the new wording also specifically supported “religious liberty,” which was not addressed in the 2012 language.

But state Reps. Terri Bryant of Murphysboro and Peter Breen of Lombard, and state Sen. Dan McConchie of Hawthorn Woods spoke in favor of reinstating the one-man, one-woman marriage language to help conservative Republican legislative candidates.

“In the last several decades, our pickups (of legislative seats from Democrats) in the state have been in the south,” Bryant said. By returning the definition of marriage language, she said, “Our platform distinguishes us from the Democrats.”

* Peoria Journal Star…

State Rep. Peter Breen, R-Lombard, also told the audience that there was little support among rank-and-file Republicans for adjusting the language in the platform.

“There’s no groundswell out there amongst Republicans to change the definition of marriage,” he said.

“It’s a core Republican principle across the country.”

Party chairman Tim Schneider had to twice call for calm and a respectful exchange of ideas as proponents of newer language were interrupted by jeers, boos and shouts of “Go home!”

* Daily Herald…

On the other side, Ryan Higgins, leader of the Schaumburg Township Republican Organization, defended the change recommended by a Republican committee as one that strengthened religious liberty principles in the platform.

As Higgins finished his speech, some delegates at the large convention gathering booed and shouted “go home.”

“Are you prepared to remove the notion that … Republicans may have a diversity of views on this issue?” Higgins said in part. “And if so, are you prepared to defend that exclusion to fellow Republicans?”