Illinois Legalizes Civil Unions

This week, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation granting givil unions to same-sex couples in his home state. While Illinois doesn’t define the move as “marriage,” it grants most of the state’s marital rights to gay and lesbian couples who tie the knot starting this month.

“We’re a government of the people, by the people, for the people,” said Quinn, quoting one of the state’s favorite sons Abraham Lincoln.

Also present at the signing was Greg Harris, an openly gay state representative who sponsored the bill, and Rep. Deb Mell, a gay member of the state legislature, with her fiance.

The late Larry McKeon, the state’s first openly gay legislator, was also honored for his work in supporting gay rights before his death in 2008.

With several other states also considering gay marriage, will Pennsylvania ever allowing same-sex couples to wed?

Watch the history-making moment here: