(AP / Seth Perlman)
This just happened. Buzzfeed has the scoop:
The Illinois House will take a final vote on marriage equality legislation Tuesday, a leading advocate tells BuzzFeed. Previously, sources had said a vote would not take place until Wednesday at the earliest.
“Today is the day,” said Anthony Martinez, executive director of The Civil Rights Agenda.
As lawmakers began Tuesday’s session, Rep. Greg Harris, the chief sponsor of the marriage equality bill in the House, amended its language to change the date the legislation would go into effect, and to seemingly reiterate exemptions for private clubs that do not want to host marriages for same-sex couples.
The amendment, a major sign of possible action on the bill, removes language containing the 30-day effective date, which will allow Harris to pass the bill with only 60 votes instead of 71. Rules dictate that bills passed in this “veto session” like this can go into effect June 1, 2014.
If it passes, it will go back to the Senate for a final vote. This could be a big afternoon!
Watch live here if you’re so inclined.
