Illinois bill would allow civil unions of gay couples
Thursday, March 22, 2007
By JOHN O'CONNOR
AP Political Writer
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.

Gay Illinois couples would be allowed to enter civil unions with the same legal rights as marriage under legislation approved Wednesday by an Illinois House committee.

If the measure becomes law, Illinois would become only the fifth state to offer civil unions, which would give couples rights to estate benefits, child custody or adoption, property ownership and others now enjoyed by married couples. Massachusetts is the only state that allows gay marriage. the rest

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