Chicago Tribune: A spouse is a spouse

Staff Reports | CHICAGO, IL -- The Chicago Tribune, a major daily newspaper and currently the eighth largest newspaper in the United States by circulation, in an editorial Monday announced their support for same-sex marriage in Illinois.

The editorial board wrote:

[...] The Senate passed the measure Thursday, 34-21. We urge the House to finish the job.

If the measure is approved, state laws would apply equally to marriages between "two persons," instead of between "a man and a woman." In the eyes of the law, in other words, a spouse is a spouse. 

[...] Allowing same-sex couples to wed under the law would not devalue traditional marriage. It would affirm the bedrock values that underlie and sustain such unions.

Marriage promotes stable families, safeguards the interests of children and rewards committed relationships. 

Recognizing same-sex marriages demonstrates respect for personal freedoms and keeps government out of the intimate affairs of citizens. More people in same-sex relationships are adopting or giving birth to children; this provides the security of a legal commitment for those children. It's the fair thing to do.

In a 2007 statement of principles the paper's editorial board described the newspaper's philosophy:

The Chicago Tribune believes in the traditional principles of limited government; maximum individual responsibility; minimum restriction of personal liberty, opportunity and enterprise. It believes in free markets, free will and freedom of expression. These principles, while traditionally conservative, are guidelines and not reflexive dogmas. 

The Tribune brings a Midwestern sensibility to public debate. It is suspicious of untested ideas. 

The Tribune places great emphasis on the integrity of government and the private institutions that play a significant role in society. The newspaper does this in the belief that the people cannot consent to be governed unless they have knowledge of, and faith in, the leaders and operations of government. 

The Tribune embraces the diversity of people and perspectives in its community. It is dedicated to the future of the Chicago region.

Political analysts and pundits found the Tribune's policy position on same sex marriage as noteworthy given the paper's conservative background and history with a comparison to the 2008 election cycle when the Tribune endorsed then Senator Barack Obama as their first Democrat for President in about 150 years.