Illinois: GOP State rep. Ed Sullivan Jr supports marriage equality

First we got Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk's evolution to marriage equality

And now comes word that we have the support of Rep. Ed Sullivan Jr.

The Illinois House Republican came around to support same-sex marriage over the weekend, citing his gay mother-in-law as the impetus for his decision.

The Chicago Tribune reports:

State Rep. Ed Sullivan Jr., who is chairman of the House Republican campaign organization, said his decision to back same-sex marriage represented a personal and family evolution on the issue. Previously an opponent of civil unions, Sullivan told the Tribune that his mother-in-law, who lives in the southwest suburbs, has been in a same-sex relationship. "The first reaction from people might be, 'Well he might be voting for that just because of his mother-in-law,'" Sullivan said. "The reality is, because my mother-in-law is gay, I have more of an understanding and familiarity with same-sex couples."

A state representative since 2003, Sullivan and state Rep. Ron Sandack of Downers Grove are the only House Republicans to publicly announce their backing of the same-sex marriage bill, which already passed the state Senate.

According to Rep. Sullivan, the Illinois House is still 12 or so votes shy of passing marriage equality.

But that could all change very quickly. "There is tremendous momentum leading up to this vote. I think we're very close," he said. "There's many of my colleagues that have talked about this, that have said it's the right thing to do."