By Alex Keefe, WBEZ
CHICAGO – A bill to allow same-sex civil unions in Illinois seems to be picking up steam. Supporters are confident it could come up for a vote during next week's legislative session.
The bill would put gay couples on even legal ground with married couples when it comes to issues such as medical rights and state taxes.
Its chief sponsor in the House - Chicago Democrat Greg Harris - said that he believes he has the votes to pass it.
"People in Illinois are really looking for us to fix the budget problems, but they also think there's some other, you know, issues that have been left open for too long that are matters of basic fairness," Harris said.
Harris also said last week's election clears the way for moderate Republicans and lame ducks to vote "yes."
GOP Representative Mark Beaubien said that he's already on board.
"This doesn't deal with marriage at all," Beaubien said, "It deals with civil unions. And it really enabled a lot of people that would not have supported the marriage bill to support the civil unions bill.
Meanwhile, some critics say the bill would pave the way to gay marriage in all but name.