Today, June 1, Illinois’ law allowing civil unions for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples came into effect, inspiring more than 75 couples to line up outside the Cook County Building in Chicago early this morning in order to acquire a civil union license.
Gay and lesbian couples have until 7 p.m. to get in on the first round of legal licenses today, and officials expect to issues around 2,000 licenses before closing time.
Lakeesha Harris and Janean Watkins, who have been together for ten years and share a home with their six children, showed up at midnight to claim the first place in line.
Harris, 36, told reporters for the Chicago Sun-Times that she and Watkins have felt ostracized without legal recognition of their union, and “relegated to the bottom rung of society.” She expressed her gratitude and thanks for the opportunity to validate her relationship with Watkins and achieve “some sort of justice” for herself and her family.
Watkins, Harris, and the many other couples expected to obtain civil union licenses today must wait until tomorrow to perform the ceremonies that will seal their legal unions, according to provisions in the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act. State officials have planned a mass ceremony at Chicago’s Millennium Park to commemorate the landmark event, which will join dozens of couples and feature statements from Governor Pat Quinn, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel and other prominent Illinois politicians and equality spokesmen.
