Ill. Close to Civil Unions, Gov. Says

Illinois governor Pat Quinn said earlier this week that civil unions could be the law in the state by Christmastime, according to the Chicago-area paper The Daily Herald.

In an interview with the paper's editorial board, Quinn was asked if civil unions were a reality. His answer:

"The votes are there, I believe. ... In the Senate for sure, and definitely I think we can do it in the House."

Quinn then called himself "a strong advocate of civil unions, which would give partners the same rights and responsibilities to adoption, emergency health care decisions and property ownership, among other things, that married couples have."