Suburban Mayors Back Same-Sex Marriage Legislation

Seven suburban Chicago mayors are signing on in support of same-sex marriage.

 
Nonpartisan officials largely comprise the group from Plano, Geneva, North Aurora, St. Charles, Elburn, DeKalb and Sleepy Hollow.

They released a letter Tuesday morning through the gay marriage advocacy group Illinois Unites for Marriage.  The mayors say same-sex couples and their families are denied full protection under Illinois law. 

Same-sex marriage legislation got a February Senate OK but has not been called for a vote in the Democratic-controlled House.

Activists are targeting moderate suburban Republicans as well as socially conservative members of the House Black Caucus Democrats to get the 60 votes needed.
 
Illinois allowed civil unions in 2011. There are now 14 states, plus Washington D.C., that allow gay marriage.