Washington, D.C. — Today, despite promises to the contrary, the Democratic leadership of the Illinois State Legislature failed to bring a bill recognizing civil marriages between committed same-sex couples to the floor. Log Cabin Republicans issued the following statement in response:

“It’s not a matter of if marriage equality will come to Illinois, but when,” said Log Cabin Republicans National Executive Director Gregory T. Angelo. “The betrayal of the Illinois Democrats’ promise to bring this bill to the floor should not diminish the courage of Republican Representatives Ed Sullivan and Ron Sandack, as well as Senator Jason Barickman, whose bold support for religious liberty and individual liberty exemplified true conservatism; nor does it lessen the bravery exemplified by GOP Chairman Pat Brady and Senator Mark Kirk for encouraging their colleagues to err on the right side of history. When the Illinois legislature next votes on the freedom to marry, we hope the peers of these great patriots follow their lead.”

Log Cabin Republicans of Illinois President Caitlin Huxley added:

As an Illinois Republican, I’m deeply disappointed in our State House for failing to recognize the need for equality in our state. But make no mistake: momentum is on our side, and today’s development will only push Log Cabin Republicans of Illinois to increase our efforts working to achieve equality for all residents of the state.