Democratic governor hopefuls mostly agree

SPRINGFIELD - The leading Democrats running for governor generally share positions on the hot-button political issues of abortion, guns and gay marriage.

Gov. Pat Quinn and state Comptroller Dan Hynes, both from Chicago, said they support abortion rights as set out in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, with Quinn adding he supports "using public funds to make a full range of reproductive health services, including abortion, available for those who lack access to affordable health care."

On gun control, Hynes and Quinn said they support handgun bans in Chicago that have come under legal challenge and would oppose legislation that would let Illinois residents legally carry concealed weapons.

As for the issue of gay marriage, Hynes said he supports "marriage equality."

"I believe that if two committed adults want to express their love and commitment to each other through marriage, they should be allowed to do so under civil law," he said.

Hynes added that he supports allowing partners of state employees to be covered by state insurance and that sexual orientation should be a protected class under hate crime laws.

Quinn did not specifically address gay marriage, saying he supports civil unions and that domestic partners should be eligible for health benefits.