Illinois Unites brings together a diverse group of individuals and organizations from across Illinois, including business groups, labor, faith organizations, Republicans, Democrats and grassroots supporters. The coalition is being organized by Equality Illinois, Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois.

"We are uniting to urge members of the Illinois General Assembly to let all Illinoisans express their love and life-long commitment through civil marriage," said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, the state's oldest and largest LGBT advocacy organization.

"The momentum is undeniable — allowing same-sex couples to marry is the right thing for Illinois," said Jim Bennett, Regional Director of Lambda Legal. "It's best for our state that our government treat all families with equity and respect. Nine other states now have full marriage equality. It's time for Illinois to act."

The legislation, currently called HB 5170, would give gay and lesbian couples in Illinois the freedom to marry and thereby enter a life-long commitment of responsibility and respect. Recent polling indicates that a majority in Illinois supports giving same-sex couples the freedom to marry. Meanwhile, national polls as well as the November elections confirm that the American people have turned a corner on the issue.

"Same-sex couples will strengthen the institution of marriage," said John Knight, ACLU's LGBT Project Director. "They want to marry because of their love and commitment and because marriage provides them and their families with the security, support and legal protections that civil unions can never provide."

The three founding organizations of Illinois Unites for Marriage believe that the government should have a statewide policy treating all Illinoisans with dignity and respect. The coalition is working closely with the bill's lead sponsors, Representative Greg Harris (D-Chicago) and Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago), who announced last week they would seek a January vote on the measure.

The Illinois marriage bill respects religious freedom. Every church and religious group will make its own decisions about whether to allow same-sex couples to marry in their faith. Faiths that do not want to embrace same-sex marriage will not have to.

The three founding organizations of Illinois Unites for Marriage believe that all Illinoisans deserve a statewide policy of fairness, dignity and equal treatment. Nine states plus the District of Columbia have already given same-sex couples the freedom to marry: Iowa, Washington, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maryland.

Illinois Unites for Marriage has launched a website, www.illinoisunites.org, with information about the bill and about how citizens can make their voices heard and organizations can express their support.

Organizations supporting the freedom to marry for same-sex couples include:

Affinity Community Services

African American Lesbian Professionals Having a Say

AIDS Foundation of Chicago

All Saints Social Justice Circle

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31

Association of Latino Men for Action (ALMA)

Anti Defamation League

Chicago Bar Association

Chicago House

Chicago Jobs with Justice

Equality Illinois

Freedom to Marry

Howard Brown Health Center

Human Rights Campaign

Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP)

Illinois Department of Human Rights

Illinois State Bar Association

Lambda Legal

PFLAG Belleville

PFLAG Bloomington/Normal

PFLAG Northern Illinois Council (14 Chapters)

Prairie Pride Coalition

Quad Citians Affirming Diversity

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare IL and IN

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 73

The Civil Rights Agenda

United Electrical Workers, Western Region