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Meeks Defends 'No' Vote On Civil Unions Law

CHICAGO (WBBM) -- State senator and Chicago mayoral candidate James Meeks is defending his vote against Illinois' civil unions bill.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Craig Dellimore Reports

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He doesn't shy away from his opposition to the legislation that provides similar legal rights to same sex couples as married couples, including medical and financial decisions. Gov. Pat Quinn said he will sign the bill in early 2011.

He said the bill essentially endorses same-sex marriage, an institution that he believes should only be between a man and a woman.

"This indeed was a marriage bill. We can use semantics and call it other things." Meeks told Craig Dellimore during a taping of "At Issue".

He believes the issue is "too big" for the legislature to decide, and should have been put to a referendum.

He said he would uphold the law if he becomes mayor and is opposed to discrimination based on sexual orientation.

James Meeks will be the guest on Newsradio 780's "At Issue" program on Sunday night at 9:30 p.m.

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