Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady Wednesday expressed his “full support" for gay marriage.
"More and more Americans understand that if two people want to make a lifelong commitment to each other, government should not stand in their way," he said, according to the
Chicago Sun-Times.
"Giving gay and lesbian couples the freedom to get married honors the best conservative principles. It strengthens families and reinforces a key Republican value — that the law should treat all citizens equally."
Civil unions were legalized in the state two years ago. Gay-marriage supporters want state legislators to vote on the issue before Tuesday, when the current legislative session ends. Brady is lobbying GOP lawmakers, according to Reuters, but only one Republican voted in favor of civil unions.
Iowa is the sole Midwestern state that has legalized same-sex marriage.
© 2013 Newsmax. All rights reserved.