With this law, Illinois joins the handful of U.S. states that have expanded recognition and rights to all families. Members of the public are encouraged to attend the signing of this historic legislation. In 2006 LGBT couple were recognized in Cook County under the
Domestic Partnership Equality Amendment Act of 2006.

Civil unions will provide legal recognition of gay couples and give them some of the same benefits automatically available to married couples, including the right to visit a sick partner in the hospital, disposition of a deceased loved one’s remains and the right to make decisions about a loved one’s medical care.

Mind you I said  SOME.  It is still not a civil marriage. Marriage comes with about 600+  perks. Check out Strangers in the Eyes of the Law: 648 Reasons Why Marriage Equality Matters .  But we are getting one step closer to marriage.


The ceremony will take place in downtown Chicago. 4 p.m.  at the  Chicago Cultural Center, 78 East Washington Street.

The civil unions law won’t take effect until June 1 (?) or July 1st (?), which will give registrars and county clerks time to get ready to hand out civil union licenses.

Homosexual and heterosexual couples will be allowed to form civil unions. This is a great idea  for heterosexual seniors who may be coupled but don’t want to be married, but still need and want some rights and perks. Even two aging straight men who are best friends can benefit from this new law.

Dissolving a civil union will mean a trip to divorce court.

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