Following in the footsteps of President Barack Obama, Gov. Pat Quinn announced his support for gay marriage last week. In fact, Quinn has gone a step further and endorsed an Illinois House bill that would legalize same sex marriage: the governor previously did not take a position on the bill.

But bill sponsor Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) says it is unlikely the legislation will move this spring legislative session, given Springfield's focus on the costs of Medicaid and pensions, among other issues. Illinois legalized civil unions for same sex couples at the start of 2011.