An Illinois judge ruled on Friday that legislators can move forward on a challenge of the constitutionality of the state's ban on gay marriage.
Cook County Circuit Judge Sophia Hall announced she'd made a ruling after hearing almost two hours of verbal arguments last month.
Hall rejected the motion to throw out the lawsuit, going against lawyers from five county clerks who want the case disposed of, Chicago Pride stated.
"We are pleased that the court saw that our couples have a right to their day in court on the merits of their claims for liberty and equality," Marriage Project Director for Lambda Legal Camilla Taylor told Chicago Pride. Lamda Legal, along with the Illinois chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, are representing the plaintiffs in the case, which first began after 25 same-sex couples called for marriage licenses but were denied.
"Illinois' marriage ban not only brands these couples and their children as inferior under state law, but now that the federal law known as "DOMA" has been struck down by the Supreme Court, Illinois is the only thing standing between these families and full federal respect for their relationships," Taylor stated.
According to ABC's local station in Illinois, the Midwest state legalized civil unions in 2011. But Taylor stressed the need for full recognition of LGBT's legal unions.
"Loving same-sex couples in Illinois can't wait any longer for the freedom to marry," Taylor said. "We're excited to get to the next step and make the case for equality."
As of September 2013, 14 states in the U.S. have legalized gay marriage.
