Gay Marriage Now Legal Statewide in Illinois
Gay and lesbian couples across Illinois can now legally wed as the state becomes the latest in the nation to allow same-sex marriage.
Sunday's celebration is anticlimactic for some, because 16 counties began issuing marriage licenses following a February federal court ruling.
Still, June 1 marks the first day all of Illinois' 102 counties can issue the licenses to same-sex couples. It's also the first day couples statewide who have civil unions can ask to convert those to a marriage.
There's no official number on how many couples have wed so far under the law Gov. Pat Quinn signed in November. But Equality Illinois, a gay-rights advocacy group, estimates about 1,300 same-sex licenses have been issued.
Bernard Cherkasov is the group's CEO. He calls Sunday "a history-making day in Illinois."
Latest Stories
- Commissioner Samantha Steele Strengthens Fairness and Accessibility for All Who Pay Property Taxes to Cook County
- Mother-Daughter Prom in Honor of Fallen Officer Areanah M. Preston
- “In Defense of Mac Properties”
- Chicago Sinfonietta one of 15 arts and culture and arts-centered organizations to receive a MacArthur Foundation 2025 Culture, Equity, and the Arts Grant
- SPLC President Condemns Trump Executive Orders Aimed at Whitewashing U.S. History and Restoring Confederate Monuments
Latest Podcast
On The 9 Run Crew
