Illinois Lawmakers Could Vote on Same-Sex Marriage - KWQC-TV6 News and Weather For The Quad Cities -

Iowa has seen same sex couples saying "I do" since 2009. In Illinois, the only option right now is a civil union. Those were approved last year. But some lawmakers say this is the time to take that one step further.

Two Democrats from Chicago say they believe they have the votes necessary to get gay marriage approved when the general assembly reconvenes in three weeks.

But local legislators aren't as sure. Senator Mike Jacobs says he is undecided on the issue and the vote count. "At the end of the day, you have to be able to count. That's the hardest thing in politics, people sometimes think they have votes they don't."

Representative Pat Verschoore says he is also skeptical about the votes. The Democrat tells us he'd like to wait until the Supreme Court makes its ruling. He says the decision should come from the federal level.  Republican Senator Tim Bivins tells us marriage should be between a man and a woman. And so does Representative Don Moffitt. The Republican says he is concerned about added costs to Illinois businesses when it comes to insuring more people. And he is also concerned about pushing this through during a lame duck session.

It's a concern Representative Rich Morthland says he shares. He says he would rather see this on a referendum. The Republican believes in traditional marriage, but also that this vote should wait for new lawmakers to take office. "Having special rules and special circumstances is a recipe for bad decision making on the part of lawmakers who are never going to be accountable to voters again," Morthland says. "And those who are still in will be a long way from their next election>"

If the General Assembly votes to legalize same sex marriage and Governor Pat Quinn signs the bill, which he has said he would do, it would take effect July 1st.