A bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in Illinois is unlikely to come up for a House vote this week, after the House adjourned without considering the bill.
LGBT organizers have been on the ground in Springfield in anticipation of action on the bill, which they hoped could happen this week.
But while reps. will be in session on Friday, LGBT leaders have said a Friday vote would be unlikely, due to anticipated absences close to the weekend.
House Speaker Mike Madigan said that the bill is short 12 votes, but reports from LGBT leaders in recent days suggested that sponsors were close to calling for a vote on the measure.
Sponsor Greg Harris has vowed not to call for a vote on the bill until the measure has the 60 votes it needs to pass. He previously told Windy City Times that sponsors were "very" close to having the votes.
LGBT groups have been mum on the vote count and reasons for inaction on the bill but have repeatedly urged supporters to keep pressure on wavering lawmakers.
Harris said Thursday that the timeline for the bill remains unclear.
Still, LGBT leaders say that legalizing same-sex marriage in Illinois is not a matter of "if" but "when."
"Marriage will happen in Illinois," said Jim Bennett of Lambda Legal. "We are hopeful that our legislators will vote to bring dignity to all Illinois families."
LGBT organizers have continued to build support for the bill, organizing phone banks and targeting uncertain lawmakers.
Anti-gay efforts have increased this week as well.
Rep. Jeanne Ives made headlines for her comments on the Catholic Conference Radio Hour that gays were trying to "weasel their way into acceptability."
"They're trying to redefine marriage," she said, according to LGBTQNation.com . "It's a completely disordered relationship and when you have a disordered relationship, you don't ever get order out of that."
Among those targeted by anti-gay groups was Rep. Luis Arroyo, a Democrat who voted for the bill in committee but said he could not vote for the bill on the House floor.
Supporters had attempted to push Arroyo towards a yes vote.
Jorge Felix, one of Arroyo's constituents reported receiving anti-gay literature from Heterosexuals Organized for a Moral Environment, an Illinois group with strong positions against LGBT people.
Arroyo told Windy City Times that he had talked with LGBT leaders and sponsors but that his vote was firmly against the bill.
"My vote is 'no,'" said Arroyo. "I voted for civil unions, and that is as far as I can go."
Arroyo said his constituents do not support the bill and have asked him to vote against it.
See related story, Representatives: How they stand on equal marriage in IL, here: www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Representatives-How-they-stand-on-equal-marriage-in-Illinois-/41973.html
