ACLU Lawsuit Challenges IL Gay Marriage Ban

More than two dozen gay and lesbian couples have filed lawsuits in an effort to legalize same-sex marriage in Illinois.

The two lawsuits filed Wednesday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois and advocacy group Lambda Legal challenge Illinois marriage law on a constitutional basis.

The couples represented in the lawsuits were denied marriage licenses when they tried to apply. Marriage is defined as between a man and woman in Illinois.

Attorneys say they should be able to marry under due process and equality clauses in Illinois' constitution.     

Similar lawsuits have been filed in other states. In Iowa, a lawsuit resulted in the state Supreme Court legalizing same-sex marriage.

Illinois approved same-sex civil unions last year.