Wedding bells ring early for same-sex couples in Illinois’ Cook County

Cook County Clerk David Orr, left, performs a marriage ceremony for Theresa Volpe, second from left, and Mercedes Santos on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, in Chicago.

CHICAGO — Jubilant same-sex couples began lining up for marriage licenses in Chicago on Friday after a federal judge ruled there was no reason for residents of Illinois’ largest county to wait until the state’s new gay marriage law takes effect, a decision some hope will prompt county clerks statewide to begin issuing the documents.

U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman ruled that Illinois’ original ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. That means that even though a state law legalizing same-sex marriage takes effect on June 1, there is nothing to stop couples from marrying now.

The ruling applies only to Cook County, where Chicago is located, because the suit was filed against County Clerk David Orr.

Orr, who supports same-sex marriage, said it was a “historical day,” and performed the first wedding ceremony after the ruling — for one of the couples that sued him. Mercedes Santos and Theresa Volpe of Chicago were granted a waiver from the traditional 24-hour waiting period.

“I think this has really put the … stamp of approval on the fact that no matter your family makeup, your family is important and marriage is important; equality is important,” said Volpe. “Our children now can look at their family and know they’re as equal as their cousins’ families and their friends’ (families).”


Charlie Gurion, center, and David Wilk hold up their marriage license as Cook County Clerk David Orr, left looks on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, in Chicago.


David Wilk leaps across the counter to hug Cook County Clerk’s office employee Louisa Nicotera after obtaining a marriage license with partner Charlie Gurion, left, Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, in Chicago.

Read More:http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2014/02/wedding-bells-ring-early-for-same-sex-couples-in-illinois-cook-county/#.Uwf7hmCn034.facebook