The bill now advances to Governor Pat Quinn, a champion of the marriage equality, who plans to sign the bill into law. Illinois is fifteenth state in the nation to recognize marriage equality, the second in two months.

The story of how Mark Towns and Stephen Pearlman of Chicago first met six years ago is straight out of a romance novel.

In this week's episode of Marriage News Watch: big news coming this week from Rhode Island, where we may see the year's first hearing on marriage equality. Plus more news from, Illinois,Colorado, Hawaii and Nevada.

AFER is making the case for full federal marriage equality before the U.S. Supreme Court this spring, but there are several states which may see movement. This is the first in a series of states to watch.

In this week's episode of Marriage News Watch: An exciting start to the year, with a win and a setback in Illinois. Two brand new marriage bills are on the fast track in Rhode Island. And a Congressional bill to repeal DOMA picks up support.