The Illinois Senate is voting Thursday, Valentine’s Day, whether to legalize same-sex marriage.

Because of the Democratic supermajority control of the Senate’s General Assembly, the measure is expected to be approved. It would still, however, need to be considered by Illinois’s House of Representatives.

Gov. Patt Quinn said he would sign the bill if it passed – at which point Illinois would become the 10th state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage.
“Let’s pass this bill for marriage equality,” he said.

Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady said he backed gay marriage because of the positive implications such a move could have for the party. He said if the GOP wants a chance at the governor’s seat in 2014, being more inclusive is a necessary step.
Three other U.S. states are considering legalization, and five have civil union laws – including Illinois. 29 states have constitutional provisions banning same-sex marriage.

However, according to CNN, polls show that legalizing same-sex marriage is gaining support across the U.S.

This past November, Minnesota became the only state in the nation to reject a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Now, it seems, Minnesota’s same-sex marriage debate is heating up once more.
During Wednesday’s State of the State address, Gov. Mark Dayton voiced his desires for Minnesota to pass a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, according to WCCO. 
“I believe every Minnesotan should have the right to legally marry the person he or she loves, whether the same or other sex,” he said in his address.