Gov. Patrick Quinn-    Photo Courtesy, Illinois.gov

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois legislature passed a bill granting gay and lesbian couples the opportunity to participate in civil unions in the state, essentially giving those couples the same rights as heterosexual couples who get married.

“The passage this week of the civil unions legislation was historic,” said Illinois Gov. Patrick Quinn, who has already agreed to sign the bill in 2011. “It’s a landmark law, it’s headed my way and I think it will be the law of the land of Lincoln in the coming year.”

Ill inois will be the sixth state

in addition to the District of Colombia that allows civil unions or their equivalent in the United States.

The Illinois State Senate passed the bill with a 32-24-1 vote and the Illinois State House passed it with a 61-52 vote.

“Here you have a Midwestern legislature acknowledging that gay and lesbian couples should be recognized and protected right here in the heart of the heartland,” said Equality Illinois Public Policy Director Rick Garcia. “This was a very sober-minded, somewhat middle-of-the-road legislature that wanted to make sure their gay and lesbian neighbors were treated fairly and equitably.”

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and Gov. Quinn had pledged their unwavering support for the bill in opposition of many advocates of traditional marriage, including the Catholic Church.

“Finally, they [state lawmakers] realized they should have the same rights under state law,” Daley said. “But eventually, [gay] marriage will take place. It has to … we have to move faster.

Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry, said “With this step in the right direction, Illinois rejected arguments against fair treatment for gay people and their loved ones and acknowledged that gay couples and families exist and have the same hopes and needs as other families.”