In celebration of the first day of civil-union ceremonies in Illinois, the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations' Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues will host 30 ceremonies at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 2, in Wrigley Square at Millennium Park, at Randolph and Michigan.
The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Eventsin partnership with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture, Lambda Legal, Equality Illinois and the Alliance of Illinois Judgesis sponsoring the event. Gov. Pat Quinn will attend, and Cook County Clerk David Orr; the Hon. Timothy C. Evans, chief judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County; and members of the Alliance of Illinois Judges will officiate the civil-union ceremonies.
"Civil unions are long overdue in Illinois. They provide important protections for couples and their families," said Commissioner Dana V. Starks. "We are proud to celebrate this achievement."
"This event highlights a small sample of the many families across Illinois that are provided protections, rights, and responsibilities under Illinois's new law," said Jim Bennett, regional director for the Midwest Regional Office of Lambda Legal. "Today, we congratulate the thirty couples and all those who wish to get a civil union, it's a great day for committed same-sex couples and their children."
"What a terrific way for the City of Chicago to ring in civil unions. Having dozens of couples celebrate their love and commitment literally surrounded by the entire city is such a powerful symbol for how far we have come as a society," said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois.
The Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act, first introduced by state Rep. Greg Harris in March 2007, and in the Illinois Senate by state Sen. David Koehler, passed by a 61-vote majority in the House and a 32-vote majority in the Senate. Its passage made Illinois the sixth state to allow civil unions, and includes provisions for hospital visitation and healthcare decision making.
All 30 couples participating June 2 will obtain a civil-union license from the Cook County Clerk's office June 1, the first day they can obtain such licenses at any County Clerk's office. By law, couples must wait until the day after they obtain their license to have their civil-union ceremonies performed.