Illinois Activists Await Gay Marriage Decisions

Advocates and opponents of gay marriage in Illinois are eagerly awaiting possible decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court on two major cases.

No matter what the court decides, proponents have already planned Wednesday events in gay-friendly Chicago neighborhoods.

Illinois allows civil unions, but lawmakers decided against taking a vote to legalize gay marriage earlier this year.

The court is considering a decision on California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage and the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman.

The justices have numerous options. That includes the possibility of a historic wide-ranging decision or one so narrow that it won't affect Illinois much.

Some activists say they'll still continue to push same-sex marriage in the courts and in Springfield.