While a same-sex marriage bill passed an Illinois Senate committee along party lines, even one of the no voters says people had better get ready for a different world.

“Opinion in this area is evolving very, very rapidly,” said Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), “and we’re all trying to deal with that evolution of opinion and make sure everyone is treated fairly.”

Since the lame duck session of this Illinois General Assembly is winding down, there’s not much time to get something done before forces would have to start all over. So it’s not certain whether something will come together by the time the new House and Senate members are sworn in Wednesday.

“Please vote to extend the same rights and benefits to all my children,” said Bonnie Garneau of Bloomington, who is a member of P-Flag – Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

“This proposed legislation will have long-term consequences because laws teach,” said Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield. “They tell us what is socially acceptable, and what is not.”

Ralph Rivera of the Illinois Family Institute argues that the bill will force almost all churches to accept gay couples who want a wedding ceremony.

HB 4963 has passed the Senate Executive Committee.