California court ruling boosts Illinois issue

Illinois gay rights activists are hailing the California Supreme Court's ruling that a gay marriage ban is unconstitutional. And they are hoping it will lead to the allowing of civil unions in the Land of Lincoln.

A bill to legalize gay marriage was sponsored last year in the Illinois legislature by Representative Greg Harris. But the lack of enough support for gay marriage prompted him to push for civil unions.

Harris says he hopes to bring his legislation giving same-sex couples the same rights as married couples to a vote by the end of the year.

While Harris is hopeful gay marriage will get a boost in Illinois, opponents say the California decision would cause a political backlash.

David E. Smith of the Illinois Family Institute pointed to states that adopted constitutional amendments against gay marriage after Massachusetts allowed it in 2004.