Gay marriage becomes focus of governor’s race
By: Sophia Tareen and Sara Burnett, Associated Press
CHICAGO (AP) — After weeks of focusing on Illinois’ mammoth financial problems, the governor’s race turned to the issue of same-sex marriage Monday as gay couples took vows under the state’s new law.
Gov. Pat Quinn attended one wedding ceremony at a Chicago museum while advocates accused his Republican challenger, Bruce Rauner, of being against efforts to legalize same-sex marriage. The law officially took effect Sunday, but only a few county clerks’ offices opened to issue paperwork, leaving Monday as the law’s widespread rollout.
“The whole process of our Democracy is to make sure that rights are available to all. This is a great civil rights measure,” Quinn said. “I didn’t need a referendum to tell me what was the right thing to do.”
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