On Feb. 14, the Illinois Senate voted 34-21 to approve same-sex marriage.

The Senate is made up of 40 Democrats and 29 Republicans. Thirty-three of the 34 votes to pass gay marriage came from Democrats. (Three Democrats voted against the bill and four chose not to vote.) One Republican, Sen. Jason Barickman -- who said he supported one man, one woman marriage during his campaign -- voted for the bill.

If the Illinois House passes gay marriage, Gov. Pat Quinn has promised to sign it into law.

The Illinois House is made up of 71 Democrats and 47 Republicans. In order to pass gay marriage, the House needs 60 votes. If the House votes like the Senate did with 82 percent of Democrats voting for the bill, that will give 58 votes for the bill. If just a few Republicans join them, gay marriage will be the law in Illinois.

These House members will be under considerable pressure, even out-of-state pressure, from those who desire to see gay marriage legalized. Pressure to pass the bill can take the following form: They promise considerable amounts of money to insulate a legislator against a backlash by the voters.

The House could vote on this issue as soon as this week. Illinois residents need to make their voices heard. Please contact your state representative and ask him to vote against HB 110.

Note: To see what legalizing gay marriage has done to Massachusetts, check out this website: massresistance.org/docs/marriage/effects_of_ssm_2012/index .html.

Lauretta Marigny

O'Fallon