Ed. Note: This update on the civil unions bill in Illinois is from Nathan Schackow, an HRC volunteer leader in Chicago.
Lawmakers in Springfield spent many grueling hours this weekend scrambling to take care of business before the final deadline of this year’s legislative session. Members of the House worked past midnight and into Monday morning debating tax increases, a measure allowing citizens to recall the governor, the state budget, and a campaign finance reform bill. The Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, however, was not able to be called to the floor before time ran out on the 2009 legislative session.
But there is still hope.
According to Rep. Greg Harris, the civil union bill “was not called before midnight, so it will now not come up until we return to Springfield.”
Some members of Illinois General Assembly speculate that they will return within a week or two for a special summer session, while others are less optimistic. According to the Chicago Tribune, “the more likely scenario is that legislators will return to the Capitol in November, after they know how stiff their competition will be on the ballot next year, and try to reach agreement on a major tax increase to balance the budget.”
Regardless of when the Illinois General Assembly reconvenes for a special session, the civil union bill will remain on the table.
At 1:15 am a tireless and upbeat Rep. Harris, who often communicates directly with his constituents and supporters via Facebook, posted one last status update message to an unknown number of his friends who, like me, had spent the weekend refreshing his profile. “Thank you and keep the calls and letters coming! You are wonderful, and I am proud to serve you!”
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