SPRINGFIELD - A Chicago lawmaker is employing a new approach to push a controversial civil unions bill through the Illinois legislature: tying the measure to concerns of heterosexual senior citizens.

A group of Illinois seniors, who traveled to Springfield on Wednesday, argued that without civil unions legislation, heterosexual couples who choose not to marry could be barred from making critical decisions for their partner, such as health care or funeral arrangements.

Jesse Mustin, 64, said he has a number of friends and family members who faced difficult situations when their heterosexual life partner was unable to make crucial decisions for them because they were not legally married.

"Whomever you're living with all your life should be making those decisions," said Mustin, who is from Chicago.

State Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, who is currently the only openly gay member of the legislature, said the bill's impact on gay and lesbian couples is important, but the effect it would have on senior citizens often is overlooked.

The bill would grant the same legal rights to same-sex couples as it would a married couple, such as hospital visitation, health care choices and funeral options. However, no church or other religious institution would be forced to sanction the union.

"These are really basic rights that every couple in Illinois should have," said Harris, who is the sponsor of the legislation.

He added, "There's a lot of confusion between the concept of civil unions and same-sex marriage. This is not same-sex marriage."

Opponents of gay marriage have countered that the situation allowed by the measure would be akin to marriage, which they say should be between a man and a woman. Some critics say the rights that Harris is seeking can be secured through power-of-attorney and other methods that don't look so much like a marriage license.

"You don't need government recognition" to receive some of the benefits of marriage, said David E. Smith, executive director of the Illinois Family Institute.

The bill passed an Illinois House committee last year, but it has still not been called to a vote before the full House. Harris said he did not know if the measure, House Bill 1826, would come to a vote.

Currently, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey and New Hampshire allow civil unions, and Massachusetts will grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Kathleen Haughney can be reached at khaughney@post-dispatch.com.