Greetings from Springfield. A few minutes ago, the Illinois House Human Services Committee sent to the floor House Bill 1826 -- the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act. The measure, sponsored by State Representative Greg Harris of Chicago, was approved by a vote of 5 to 4!

It was a fascinating hearing. The room in the Stratton Building where the Human Services Committee meets is small and excessively warm -- even for the first day of Spring. A number of folks with "Protect Marriage Illinois" filtered in before the hearing began, mixing among the other lobbyists, activists and citizens present for HB1826 and other legislation.

Representative Harris presented the bill, noting the he'd previously introduced a bill calling for extension of marriage to same sex couples. He said that in talking with other House members these individuals indicated that while they support the concept of extending legal protections to lesbian and gay families, they felt that the issue of marriage was too controversial.

Representative Harris was joined in support by a number of organizations, including the ACLU of Illinois, as well as former State Representative Larry McKeon. Repesentative McKeon told about how -- despite diligent efforts to provide legal protections -- he was not with his partner at the time of his death, because he was home retrieving a copy of a health care power of attorney.

The issue now moves to the floor for consideration by the full Illinois House.