This legislation, supported by Democratic senator David Koehler, was supposed to change the civil union law who recently passed and allow the religious agencies of child protection "decline an adoption or foster family home application" to a couple in a civil union if "if acceptance of that application would constitute a violation of the organization's sincerely held religious beliefs."

This law was stopped by a vote of 6-7 with 1 abstention.

"This is a huge victory for the LGBTQ community and families across Illinois," said Anthony Martinez, Executive Director of the Civil Rights Agenda,"This is also a huge win for the tens of thousands of children that are in the adoption and foster system and need loving families."

Jennifer Chisler, Executive Director of the Family Equality Council, also added: "This proposal would deny loving homes for many children who are in foster care or who are awaiting placement in foster homes.Given the need for adoptive parents in the state of Illinois there is no justification in allowing agencies using public funding to facilitate adoptions to discriminate."