Illinois Civil Unions Law: Governor Quinn Will Sign Historic Legislation Today

Bill-signing ceremonies don't generally attract large crowds, but Monday's historic signing of legislation that will allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions is expected to bring more than 1,000 people to the Chicago Cultural Center.

Last month, lawmakers approved SB1716, the "Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act." The bill allows both gay and straight couples to enter into civil unions, giving 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.

Governor Pat Quinn will sign the bill into law Monday at 4 p.m., and more than 1,000 people are expected to show up at the ceremony.

"We knew there was going to be a lot of interest in participating in what is a pretty historic moment. There's only a limited number of states that allow civil unions, and a smaller amount that allow gay marriage," Quinn spokeswoman Brie Callahan told the Sun-Times. "What we wanted to do was just make it as public as we could, and the response has been overwhelming."

More than 700 people RSVP'd to attend the event within 48 hours of Quinn's office announcing the ceremony.

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, House Speaker Mike Madigan, Rep. Deborah Mell, Rep. Greg Harris, Sen. Dave Koehler are all expected to attend the signing, according to ChicagoPride.com. The Chicago Gay Men's chorus will perform.

"Our biggest problem right now is public response of people who want to be there to witness the ceremony. They feel this is part of history," Harris, a co-sponsor of the bill who fought tirelessly for its passage, told the State Journal-Register.

The Illinois Religious Freedom and Civil Union Act will also protect the rights of religious institutions to define marriage as they choose, and will be available to any couple, same-sex or opposite-sex, in a committed relationship who are: 18 years of age or older, not in an existing marriage or civil union, and are not related. Lawmakers hope the first civil unions can take place on June 1.

It is unclear whether any mayoral candidates are attending the signing, but more than 200 people signed up for the new LGBT and Allied Committee for Rahm Emanuel last week. Emanuel told a group of LGBT leaders that he supports full marriage rights for gay couples, and would fight for gay marriage if elected mayor.

"In the debate for civil unions, though I wasn't an office holder, I made phone calls," Emanuel said, according to ChicagoPride.com. "I look forward to making phone calls on the issue of marriage."

Comments

[rbarry647]

11:53 PM on 01/31/2011

"...Social conservatives long to raise their children in a country where they don’t have to hear about homosexuality every time they turn on the news. I’d like to raise my son in a country like that too. And guess what? In countries like Canada — where the fight over gay rights is essentially over, where there is gay marriage, open military service and employment protections — homosexuality hardly ever makes the front pages of newspapers. There’s nothing much to report. Conservatives can’t get rid of us, but they can hear less from and about us. They just have to bend toward justice."

-- Dan Savage, in an editorial in the New York Times.

[rbarry647]

11:49 PM on 01/31/2011

I applaude this step towards equality, obviously full marriage equality would be preferred and the fight will continue but on this day I will be happy for my fellow LGBT peeps in the Land of Lincoln for the protections this offers in the meantime.

[thebigbike]

11:46 PM on 01/31/2011

Just a question here, will MY fully legal and recorded marriage in California be recognized in Ill, now? or would it be treated as a civil union? or since it's not a civil union in Ill, just be ignored? I'm just askin....

[RainbowTeacher]

09:26 AM on 02/01/2011

It will be automatically considered a civil union.

[elisha job]

10:58 PM on 01/31/2011

When will this country realize that INEQUALITY is one of if not the biggest social injustices and causes to the many problems we face?

Equal rights for all.

[Jdaddy1951]

08:46 PM on 01/31/2011

One step in the right direction. Now Illilnois needs to grant full marriage rights. The nice new drinking fountain for gay people is OK, but its still "separate but not equal."

[Awake-and-Sing]

08:07 PM on 01/31/2011

It's a step in the right direction.

It's not the end of the journey by any means, but I do acknowledge and am grateful for this step forward.

Let us remember that our impatience is warranted. Not everyone is 20-something and can wait for three decades.

In this case, as is most social justice and civil rights cases, MLK was right when he said, "Justice delayed is justice denied".

[pray4words]

05:16 PM on 01/31/2011

YEAH WITH HANDS WAVING IN THE AIR YEAH...now pay for the marriage permit then all is well

[Bob Kellerman]

04:47 PM on 01/31/2011

Still the back of the bus --- but an improvement from having the bus run over your foot,
as it did with medical visits, etc, before.

Wonder if the mormon church members will note that the many tens of millions they have been spending to quash the rights of others and hold back the ineviatable, could have fed every hungry person in Haiti, and build a large hospital there?

[Kalie]

09:06 PM on 02/03/2011

Were they really fighting this? Do tell.

[SeeknDestroy Again]

04:34 PM on 01/31/2011

All men(and women) are created equal.

What part of this don't people understand?

[BVictor1]

06:42 PM on 01/31/2011

Equal...

[Aaron Pozdol]

09:32 PM on 01/31/2011

I think it's the "created" part

[monte2115]

04:34 PM on 01/31/2011

I honestly believe that the people that are fighting to keep gays folks (disclosure, I am not) second class citizens will be looked on the same as those that fought against cicil rights in the 60's. I really do believe this

[Ioan Lightoller]

04:41 PM on 01/31/2011

Fanned and faved. In future those who fought against GLBT rights so hard will indeed be looked upon unfavourably by history.

[bluntobject]

04:32 PM on 01/31/2011

Thanks for the half measure Gov., but Gay Marriage will be the law of the land eventually.
 
But nice gesture.

[BVictor1]

06:43 PM on 01/31/2011

You have to start before you can finish.

This is a start...

[for sythia]

04:22 PM on 01/31/2011

I love this guy...Go Pat Quinn.

[BurtR]

04:09 PM on 01/31/2011

maybe Aaron Schock will be happy about his home state

[BVictor1]

06:51 PM on 01/31/2011

HIghly unlikely...

Don't let his youth fool you...

He's just another republican.

[KeysDan]

03:47 PM on 01/31/2011

Now, they have to change the state retirement system to provide for partner benefits including death benefits.

[Ioan Lightoller]

04:19 PM on 01/31/2011

Awwwwww, c'est dommage. So they have to change the system. It is addressing an injustice against GLBT couples that should have been addressed years ago. I don't feel sorry for the state.

[Ioan Lightoller]

03:46 PM on 01/31/2011

I am glad to see this historic law signed. Hopefully other states will at some point get rid of their hateful anti-gay amendments and pass marriage equality. There is no reason not to do this other than religiously-based hatred and bigotry.