Illinois: Same-sex marriage bill vote may happen today

According to Windy City Times, the vote for marriage equality in Illinois state senate may happen as soon as this morning:

Illinois Senators will no longer be voting on the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, a bill that LGBT leaders had been working for months to gain support on. Instead, the legalization of gay marriage had been added as a Senate amendment to HB4963, a bill that deals with automobile rentals and the Collateral Recovery Act, according to Equality Illinois CEO Bernard Cherkasov.

The move comes after Senate Democrats failed to secure enough votes to waive a 24-hour rule on the posting of the bill Wednesday night. That could have delayed a vote on marriage a day or more.

The amendment will allow the Senate to vote on the bill as early as 11 a.m. this morning.

"Everything can change at a moment's notice," said Cherkasov. "It's still absolutely crucial that people contact their lawmakers."

UPDATE: Vote may not happen today as two supportive state senators have been called away due to family emergencies. The hope is the vote happens before Jan. 9th when new legislature comes in.