Today HB 4731, the Domestic Partners Death Benefits Bill for the Chicago Teachers Union came up for a vote in the House of Representatives. As mentioned in our update this morning, it equated same-sex domestic partners with spouses and the date of filing for the benefits with the date of a marriage.

The Chicago Teachers Union told the sponsor, Rep. Greg Harris, that they wanted a vote on the bill this week. It was called for a vote on the floor of the House this afternoon at 4:30 PM, and lost 43-67-1 with 7 members not voting. This bill is much easier to vote for than the Civil Unions Bill (HB 1826), so it gives us a pretty good idea of where we are on that bill as well.

Thank you for making your wishes known to your legislators. To look at the roll call and how your state representative voted, go to the following website:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/...

If you do not appreciate how your legislator voted, please contact him/her, and ask him/her how they plan to vote on HB 1826, the Civil Unions Bill. If your legislator voted correctly, please feel free to contact him/her to show your appreciation. PLEASE BE GRACIOUS TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES, EVEN IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THEM. SHOW THEM RESPECT AND RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR THEIR VOTE ON HB1826.

Thank you for your prayers and your willingness to contact your legislators.

In His Service,

Rev. Bob