While much focus was put on the major gubernatorial and mayoral races across the nation on Tuesday, Illinois lawmakers approved the legalization of same-sex marriage. The law will go before Governor Pat Quinn who is expected to make Illinois the fifteenth state to allow gay couples to wed.

Currently, Illinois allows civil unions for same-sex couples, but for many the law didn't go far enough to ensure equal rights for all couples. The legalization of same-sex marriage in Illinois comes not even a month after New Jersey Governor Chris Christie withdrew his appeal to delay marriage equality in his state.

Photo Credit: Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune