A march for equal marriage in a small Illinois city turned out bigger numbers than similar rallies held in and around Chicago in recent months.
According to organizers, more than 200 marched in favor of marriage equality in Kankakee to urge 79th Dist. Rep. Kate Cloonen to vote in favor of equal marriage July 5.
The Daily Journal reported last October that Cloonen, a Democrat, opposed gay marriage.
Randall Krause, a Kankakee County native and out gay man, said he organized the march to show Cloonen that her district supports the equal marriage bill awaiting a House vote in Springfield.
"Every time I talk to her, she has her instant response," said Krause. "She is voting no on SB10 because of her religious beliefs."
Krause added that Cloonen did not feel her district backed same-sex marriage, a perception that he wanted to challenge.
Attendance at the rally may do just that. The march attracted bigger numbers than other demonstrations held in and around Chicago in support of the bill.
Krause said that more than 200 attended, while The Daily Journal reported attendance of 175.
"There's a lot more allies that support us than we knew about," said Krause.
Just eight anti-gay protesters were present, said organizers.
Cloonen could not be reached immediately for comment.