On the heels of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals declaring Prop 8 in California unconstitutional, Illinois Representative Greg Harris has introduced a marriage equality bill in his state, as reported by ThinkProgress.

Rep. Harris from Chicago brought forth the Religious Freedom and Marriage Freedom Act that would not only grant same-sex couples the right to marry, but it would also allow gay couples who currently have civil unions in the state to convert to marriage.

The Chicago Phoenix reports that Rep. Harris concedes that achieving marriage equality in Illinois will “not…happen quickly, [and] it’s not going to happen without a lot of hard work.” Still, Harris’ bill has garnered the support of two other out lawmakers Debra Mell and Kelly M. Cassidy.

I applaud the lawmakers in Illinois for attempting to advance gay rights in their state. I look forward to watching how this bill progresses and whether or not Illinois will be the next state to understand what true equality is.