The majority of Illinoisans believe gays and lesbians deserve equal rights in hiring and housing, according to results of a new opinion poll released Wednesday by the University of Illinois at Springfield.
The poll findings show 85 percent of those surveyed believe in equal rights for gays seeking jobs and homes, and 66 percent favor laws to protect them from discrimination.
The telephone poll, commissioned by the gay rights group Illinois Federation for Human Rights, involved 1,233 respondents and was conducted between Feb. 19 and March 17. It has a margin of error of 3 percent.
Federation leaders say they hope the results of the poll will help the chances of a gay rights bill pending before the Illinois house, which would outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation.
