Chicago Mayor Richard Daley Pushes for Full Marriage Equality

Chicago mayor Richard Daley hailed Wednesday’s historic vote legalizing civil unions in Illinois, but urged lawmakers to “move faster” and push for marriage equality.

“Finally, they realized they should have the same rights under state law. But eventually, [gay] marriage will take place. It has to. . . . We have to move faster,” he said, according to the Sun Times.

On Thursday, Daley urged Gov. Pat Quinn to sign the civil union bill “as quickly as possible.” Quinn said in his recent re-election bid he would support and sign the bill.

Daley has long been a staunch supporter of gay rights — so much so that Chicago’s gay and lesbian Center of Halsted has a rooftop garden named after him.

Daley announced this year he would not seek reelection in 2011. He has been mayor of Chicago since 1989.

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