Bill to allow civil unions headed to House floor

SPRINGFIELD (AP) - Gay Illinois couples would be allowed to enter civil unions with the same legal rights as marriage under legislation approved Wednesday by an Illinois House committee. If the measure becomes law, Illinois would become only the fifth state to offer civil unions, which would give couples rights to estate benefits, child custody or adoption, property ownership and others now enjoyed by married couples. Massachusetts is the only state that allows gay marriage. "Illinois is ready now for civil unions," the sponsor, Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, said at a Statehouse news conference. "The outpouring of public support shows it's ready for civil unions, and I hope one day it will come around to the concept of same-sex marriage." Af