Leaders of several Chicago-area African American churches have urged state lawmakers to vote against pending legislation that would allow same-sex marriage in Illinois

The group said the same legislators who frequent black churches for votes are turning a deaf ear to their opposition to the bill. "We are concerned because our government is trying to legalize this conduct, especially those who seek to speak to our congregations when they are running for office," said the Rev. Kenneth Giles of Mount Olive Missionary.