Dear Marriage Supporter,

Big news from Springfield this week — but it's NOT the story you may have heard from the mainstream media...

Rahm Emanuel's Democratic Party machine, the machine that has ruled Illinois state politics for years, is fraying over the issue of gay marriage.

As of today, they don't have the votes to pass same-sex marriage, and even Democrats are starting to speak out against efforts to redefine marriage.

Senate Bill 10, the same-sex marriage bill that passed the Senate earlier this month, was heard in House Committee this week. After a lengthy hearing, State Rep. Eddie Lee Jackson, a Democrat from East St. Louis, broke with party bosses, joining the committee's 4 Republicans in voting against efforts to redefine marriage. Despite Democrats' 7-4 majority on the committee, only the vote of Chicago Democrat Rep. Luis Arroyo — who also opposes same-sex marriage but agreed to send the bill to the full House — assured the 6 votes need for passage out of committee.

This is the big news: Two of the seven Democrats on the House Executive Committee have publicly broken with the party machine over the issue of same-sex marriage. The courage of these two leaders — and especially Rep. Eddie Lee — will likely provide support for additional Democrats to stand up and do the right thing.

Let's remind every member of the Illinois House that their constituents support marriage. It only takes a couple of minutes — even if you've already sent a message, please send another today. Our opponents realize that the outcome is very much in doubt and they're ramping up the pressure, especially on Democratic legislators.

Your representatives need to hear from you today.

1. Click here to look up the phone number for your state representative.

2. Use this link to send a short email message to your state representative urging him or her to vote to defend religious liberty and defend marriage, our only civil institution that connects children with parents. Marriage and faith matter!

3. Finally, forward this email to friends and family throughout the state, or use the buttons below to share on Facebook and Twitter. It's going to take thousands of citizens from the Land of Lincoln just like you working together to preserve marriage in Illinois. Help spread the word today!

   

We have the chance to win an amazing victory for marriage this year — but only with your help. I hope I can count on you to take action today!