Advocates of equal marriage in the US state of Illinois were disappointed as the House adjourned on Thursday, until 09:30 on Friday, leaving only one day for a vote on a bill to legalise equal marriage, before the current session ends.

Constituents who called the House to ask when the vote would take place, were reportedly told on Thursday evening, that it would go ahead on Friday, before the session ends.

Advocates of equal marriage in the state are to hold an urgent rally to push the House to vote on a bill to legalise it.

Jim Bennett, the Midwest regional director for Lambda Legal, spoke at a press conference on Thursday, outside the House.

“A vote has been promised and it is time to deliver on that promise,” he said. “When you look at all the politics and all the things that have happened, when it comes down to it, it is about thousands of Illinois families and their lives.”

Twelve other states have legalised equal marriage in the US, and advocates are hopeful that Illinois will become the thirteenth.