SPRINGFIELD - Time may be running out for lawmakers hoping to pass a controversial civil union bill this year, but supporters are getting some nontraditional help to boost interest: a "Facebook" army of more than 8,000 supporters.

The online social networking site is home to a group of young voters who supported a measure in the Illinois House to legalize civil unions between same-sex couples, which some opponents say is a form of gay marriage.

The group, Students for the Illinois Marriage Equality Bill, has attracted more than 8,000 members from across the country and directs members to write or call state representatives to talk to them about the bill.

Phil Miatkowski, a sophomore at Lake Forest College in Chicago, founded the group last year. The group quickly grew and held an online event that listed phone numbers for many state officials and asked participants to call them to advocate on behalf of civil unions.

Soon after, state Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, contacted Miatkowski to ask about the Facebook group.

"I had no idea there was this much grass-roots organizing going on," said Harris, a gay lawmaker who is sponsoring the civil union legislation.

Harris said he is still working with the group to see what type of awareness he can raise through the Web site. For now, he has posted a message on the group page asking members to continue lobbying for the cause and offering his office contact information.

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.

"This is not same-sex marriage," Harris said. "This is just basic rights and obligations that the state can afford to give these people."

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

Harris said he is unsure of when the civil union bill could get called to a vote before the entire Illinois House. It narrowly passed a House committee in March 2007, and then it was amended to remove all references to marriage in hopes of attracting more support.

However, the bill remains controversial and will face an uphill battle against many religious and pro-family groups.

David E. Smith, executive director of the Illinois Family Institute, said his organization will continue to lobby against the bill. Instead of civil unions, he proposes gay men and women ensure their partners have power of attorney so they can visit a partner in the hospital or make financial decisions on his or her behalf.

Smith said he does not want those rights to be taken away from gay couples; however, he said they can be ensured without a civil union bill.

"We don't want marriage to be redefined, and we don't want the government officially recognizing homosexuality as a legitimate behavior or lifestyle," Smith said.

The measure is HB1826.