A proposal to allow civil unions between same-sex couples in Illinois has been stalled in the state legislature - and now appears to have little chance of coming to a vote.

The state is grappling with the economic crisis and a scandal over a Governor who has been arrested on corruption charges.

First proposed in 2007 and running out of time before the current legislature expires, the Civil Unions Bill would grant same-sex couples many of the rights given to opposite-sex married couples.

The Gay Liberation Network in Chicago held a rally yesterday on the issue.