Users' Choice
Illinois civil unions law called success
A group that advocates for LGBT rights has declared Illinois’ new civil unions law a success.
Equality Illinois reports that 1,618 civil union licenses were issued across the state in June, the first month civil unions became available to Illinois couples.
Civil unions give couples many of the rights that accompany traditional marriage, including the right to inherit a partner’s property.
Hundreds of couples around Illinois were in line at county offices early in the morning on June 1, the first day the law went into effect.
Equality Illinois says 83 of the state’s 102 counties reported issuing at least one or more licenses. The group’s numbers are not official, but a spokesperson said EI contacted clerks in each county to compile the figures.
– Louis Weisberg
