Illinois state senate has approved a bill introducing same-sex ‘marriages’ in a 34-21 vote.
The Bill will now go to the state's House of Representatives and Governor Pat Quinn.
Mr Quinn said that he will sign the Bill if it is approved by the House where it is expected to face greater opposition.
Measure
Under the measure, state laws on marriage will "apply equally to marriages of same-sex and difference sex couples and their children."
If approved, the Bill wil pass into law in July this year - just two years civil unions for homosexual couple were introduced.
Criticism
The plans have attracted strong criticism from Catholics and church groups who argue that marriage can only be between one man and one woman.
In December, Rev. Bob Vanden Bosch from Concerned Christian Americans said: “Marriage is not something government has instituted. Marriage is something that's instituted by God.
“People, rather than conforming their lives to the law of God, want to conform the law to their lives.”
The legislation will also recognise homosexual marriage licenses from other states, and give those in civil partnerships the option to apply for a marriage license free of charge for the first year.
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