A bill that establishes civil unions for same-sex couples in Illinois has just passed in the state’s House of Representatives and now heads to the State Senate, where it is also expected to win passage.

Gov. Patrick Quinn, who won reelection in November, has promised to sign the bill into law.

The Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act was co-sponsored by Rep. Greg Harris, who is openly gay.

The bill was strongly opposed by the National Organization for Marriage.

Photo credit:  Jonathan Kirschner/European Pressphoto Agency