Gay marriage remains a tough sell in Illinois

January 5, 2013 | Modified: January 5, 2013 at 2:45 pm
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In this Jan. 3, 2013 photo, Theresa Volpe, second from left, testifies alongside her daughter Ava as her partner Mercedes Santos, right, sits with their son Jaidon during a Senate Executive committee hearing considering same sex marriage at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill. Despite a nudge from the home-state president, soaring support in the polls and national momentum from the November elections, the stalling of the gay marriage push in Illinois shows how tricky it is to get a legislature to approve same-sex unions. Illinois Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, a supporter for same sex marriage, left, looks on. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The stalling of Illinois' gay-marriage push — at least for now — shows how difficult it remains to legalize it.

Even with a nudge from President Barack Obama, steadily rising support in the polls and national momentum from the November elections, Democrats couldn't get enough votes to advance a gay marriage bill last week.

Supporters downplayed the delay, saying a Senate committee's vote to advance the measure was a historic accomplishment. They say they will continue to push for gay marriage when the Legislature starts a new session this week.

But there's no denying that even as the nation's feelings about the issue appear to be shifting, lawmakers have been more reluctant to do so. That's particularly true in the heartland, where no legislature has approved gay marriage.