Illinois citizens from throughout the state turned out in good numbers for a rally Feb. 20 at the Illinois State Capitol in support of retaining the state law definition of marriage as "between a man and a woman." The crowd size was estimated to be at least 3,000 by law enforcement and members of the media accustomed to covering demonstrations at the capitol.

The Illinois Family Institute (IFI), an independent non-profit non-denominational ministry dedicated to upholding and re-affirming marriage, family, life and liberty in Illinois, sponsored the rally and lobby day.

Computers set up on either side of the north wing of the capitol's main floor used ZIP codes to identify districts, the representative and senator in that district, and the location of his or her office in the capitol complex.

The Catholic Conference of Illinois, which supported the IFI initiative, is actively opposing a legislative push to redefine marriage. State Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, and state Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, attempted to push redefinition of marriage legislation during the lame duck session that ran from Jan. 2-8.

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki was one of those who testified before the Senate committee in opposition to the legislation which would change the definition of marriage from "between a man and a woman" to "between two persons."

While the legislation passed a Senate committee, it was not called for a vote before the full Senate.

When the new legislature was sworn in Jan. 9, all the legislation under consideration during the past two years "expired," and had to be introduced in a new bill with a new number.

Sen. Steans introduced the redefinition of marriage legislation in Senate Bill 10, which passed the Senate Executive Committee by a 9-5 vote on party lines on Feb. 6. On Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, the Senate approved the legislation on a 34-21 vote, with two lawmakers voting "present." SB 10 now goes to the House for consideration.

The rally drew a broad spectrum of supporters. Some parents came with their children, who ranged in age from toddlers through high school. There were a number of groups of senior citizens, some religious sisters in habits, at least two fairly large groups of people speaking Spanish, some ministers, young couples, groups of older men, and women groups.

"The Peoria diocese brought down two busloads," said Tom Dermody, editor of the Peoria Catholic Post.

"At least 100 parishioners from the (Chicago) archdiocese came down in chartered vans or buses," said Mary Massingale, communication director of the Illinois Catholic Conference in Chicago. "Others came down on their own by carpools."

Deacon David Erdmann, from the diocesan Office for Social Concerns, and Carlos Tejeda, director of the diocesan Marriage and Family Life office were among the representatives of the Springfield diocese.