skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Iowa Gay Marriage Ruling Could Set the Tone in the Prairie State

play audio
Play

Tuesday, May 5, 2009   

Springfield, IL – The recent legalization of same-sex marriage in Iowa is credited for helping build momentum for civil union legislation in Illinois. House Bill 2234, the Religious Freedom and Civil Union Act, would legalize civil unions and grant same-sex couples in a civil union many of the same legal rights as married couples. The legislation is currently waiting for a vote in the Illinois House.

Rick Garcia with Equality Illinois is hopeful that the Iowa decision to legalize gay marriage will persuade Illinois to take a step in the same direction.

"Iowa is a state in the heart of the heartland that has recognized same-sex marriage, and a lot of Illinoisans are saying, 'Well, what about us - why not here?'"

If the act is adopted, those in a civil union would be granted the same legal obligations, responsibilities, protections and benefits as married individuals, such as the right to make emergency medical decisions or funeral arrangements for a partner. While opponents say civil unions are an attack on traditional marriage, supporters say this is about recognizing relationships, not legalizing gay marriage.

Addressing concerns that civil unions will violate religious teachings on marriage, the bill affirms that no religious institution or denomination can be forced to solemnize civil unions. Garcia agrees that religion and matters of the state should not mix.

"In some of our religious traditions we don't recognize divorce and remarriage, and yet the state does. It's so important to separate the sacrament of matrimony from civil marriage."




get more stories like this via email

more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

play sound

New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021