Lobby day for civil unions planned April 18 {Illinois}

[LostInTime]

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The organization is chartering buses to bring supporters of the bill to Springfield on April 18 as part of Civil Union Lobby Day at the Capitol.

"It's a chance for Illinoisans who support civil unions to talk to their state legislators and urge support for equality for gays and lesbians," said Rick Garcia, director of public policy for Equality Illinois.

While the bill will not make same-sex marriage legal in Illinois, it will extend certain rights -- such as survivor benefits and hospital visitation rights -- to gay and lesbian partners.