County Clerks Issue First Civil Union Licenses

The Cook County Clerk's office issued its first civil union licenses Wednesday.

About 75 couples were in line when the clerk's office in Chicago opened at 7:30 a.m.

"This is a day long in the making. Congratulations to the happy couples," Cook County Clerk David Orr said in a press release from his office.

Cook County reported that 203 couples had obtained licenses at the downtown office, with dozens of couples receiving licenses at the clerk's five suburban offices including Rolling Meadows.

The legislation allowing for civil unions in Illinois was signed by Gov.Pat Quinn in January. The Huffington Post reported that the civil union law gives couples many of the rights that accompany traditional marriage.

Huntley Patch reported that in McHenry County to receive licenses. Mark Rogalski and Michael Strei of Lake in the Hills, who have been together for 30 years, were the first to receive a license.

"I didn't think this would happen," Mark Rogalski said.

In Cook County the first couple in line was Janean Watkins and Lakeesha Harris of Chicago, who arrived downtown at midnight. The couple have been together for more than a decade and have six children, a press release from the clerk's office states.

Another couple receiving a license from Cook County was Pam Voss and Melody Fairchild who began dating 13 years ago.

"It's nice to finally have your relationship validated," Voss said. "There are certain protections people just don't realize they have."