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* From a press release…
Interest is very high among Illinois residents who are considering obtaining civil unions after the new state law goes into effect on June 1. From Carbondale to Chicago, from Rockford to Rock Island, more than 1,000 people throughout Illinois have attended recent forums to learn how to take advantage of the new right for same-sex and different-sex couples.
“We have been fighting for this on the political front for years. Now that civil unions are almost a reality, this level of enthusiasm demonstrates this was not a symbolic battle but something that deeply impacted couples who are sharing their lives together yet lack legal protections that civil unions will provide,” said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois.
* The Question: Do you know of anyone who is planning to have a civil union ceremony?
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 2:38 pm
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A veteran state trooper was the first to ask a local judge to preside at her civil union, which the judge happily agreed to perform.
Comment by mr. whipple Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 2:39 pm
None yet. I live in a very diverse subdivision in Springfield - and I don’t just mean color-wise - so it wouldn’t surprise me if any of my neighbors enter into civil unions in the near future.
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 2:43 pm
Know one couple considering it …
Comment by Retired Non-Union Guy Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 2:47 pm
Yes. On the first possible day no less.
Comment by Jake From Elwood Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 3:02 pm
Macon County Clerk’s Office is openning up at midnight on June 1st with three couples already have made arrangements to apply for civil unions.
Comment by macon county Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 3:03 pm
I don’t, which kinda puzzles me.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 3:04 pm
I do not. But I do wish anyone that is planning one the best of luck!
Comment by GoldCoastConservative Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 3:09 pm
I don’t either, which puzzles me as well. Of course, I am hesitant to ask, because then I just feel like I digging for info on the status of their relationship.
Comment by Montrose Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 3:10 pm
I know one couple who is planning a big ceremony in their backyard in June, and another who is planning on just doing the legal part at the courthouse.
Comment by Not a Newcomer Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 3:16 pm
Rich, you live in Springfield. Springfield is not exactly welcoming to the gay community, and despite the State House being controlled by Democrats, it isn’t very welcoming to openly gay employees/staffers/lobbyists either. Just saying…
Comment by Not a Newcomer Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 3:19 pm
I do know that the DuPage County Clerk is ready to issue the licenses.
Comment by Cincinnatus Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 3:23 pm
The Civil Rights Agenda is hosting a mass civil union ceremony/fundraiser at the Chicago History Museum on June 3. It’s $50 to go to the party and $75 per person if you plan in being civily unioned at the event.
Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 3:27 pm
Forgot the link: http://jointcra.org/index.php
Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 3:27 pm
We don’t either, may be can carpool with Capt Fax and crash some cool parties next week!
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 3:32 pm
yes, my daughter and the father of her two children are “engaged to be civily united”, they tell us. they’ve never married because, to continue quoting them, “marriage is a patriarchal institution”.
Comment by been there Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 3:33 pm
===carpool with Capt Fax and crash some cool parties next week===
Sounds like a plan.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 3:39 pm
I’ve been asked if my partner and I will be getting one a lot. No plans at this point though… holding out for the real deal.
Comment by Spfld Westie Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 3:48 pm
I know plenty. I may go broke buying toasters and place settings.
Comment by Rep, Greg Harris Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 3:57 pm
Yes. Friends got engaged the day it was signed into law.
Comment by Seriously??? Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 4:00 pm
Nada…Doesn’t come up in conversations.
Comment by Louis Howe Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 4:03 pm
Two men across the street, two women down the street who have two adopted kids, one who’s graduating in a couple of weeks.
In Oak Park, there’s quite a buzz at the Buzz Cafe.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 4:05 pm
I know one couple who went to Canada to be married, and another who went to Iowa. I don’t know yet if they’re planning to have Illinois formalize their vows, but would I have to get them another gift if they do?
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 4:08 pm
Yes, my sister, Johanna Jacobina will, just as soon as she finds the right girl.
Comment by John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 4:18 pm
My sister and partner have an October ceremony planned.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 4:25 pm
A friend of mine had a ceremony a few years back. He said if he ever got the chance to be legally married or enter into a civil union that he would fill out the required paperwork, but he would still consider that day to be his wedding day.
Comment by Edge of the 14th Ward Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 4:28 pm
Yes, there may be issues down the road with benefits if they do not.
Comment by Kara Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 4:29 pm
I don’t. But I don’t know any straight couples planning to get married either. (I’m afraid I may have moved into that “more funerals than weddings” stage of life.)
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 4:29 pm
I was going to, but my wife said no.
Comment by D.P. Gumby Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 4:38 pm
Yes, two friends from downstate and a former co-worker.
Comment by Earnest Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 4:50 pm
I don’t know of anyone planning to get a civil union ceremony.
I am going to a wedding in June.
Comment by Mark Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 5:06 pm
Interesting, especially the heterosexual couple. Can persons in a civil union file a joint Illinois tax return? Can heterosexuals in a civil union file a joint federal income tax return or is this prohibited by DOMA? Do they have to file separately at the federal level but joint at the state level? How does that work?
Comment by maddem Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 5:14 pm
I know many couples that are planning on getting the license. Don’t know about ceremonies and I have not been invited to any.
Comment by LouisXIV Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 5:35 pm
It’s just occurred to me the one couple I know who would jump at this moved to Florida in March. Because they’re big Log Cabin Republicans and were mad about the tax increase.
I should probably refrain from sending the email I’m composing in my head.
Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 5:44 pm
Rep Harris
We have plenty of gear left over from some less than civil unions….as soon as we can climb into attic we will pass them along as your friends get unionized!
Cheers
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 6:04 pm
No, but I know a few who are planning on an uncivil dissolution:-)
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 6:15 pm
No, I’m with Louis Howe, and I may have reached the same stage of life as MrJM.
Comment by cover Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 6:40 pm
We went thru all the friends weddings 10 years ago; I welcome the chance to go to some more parties once this goes into effect. Any chance to take the Mrs. out for a good party… But all the guys dress much better than me.
Comment by Northside Marine Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 7:07 pm
Am coupled for nearly ten years with someone not my gender. We’re looking at trusts, wills and durable powers of attorney for each other. The “power of the plug” is not a small thing to think about and not a small responsibility to hand to someone else. A civil union would simplify much of this, and give me a shot at decent health insurance and her a shot at a decent inheritance.
This is not just about same-sex couples.
Comment by david starrett Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 7:46 pm
My spouse and I were married (not civilly united, but married) in Connecticut in 2009 - nobody at the city hall batted an eye when 2 males walked in and requested a marriage license. We’re glad to know that our union will finally be recognized in our great State. Nobody we know (gay or straight) is planning on a civil union although we would certainly enjoy the party!
Comment by Happily Married Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 7:55 pm
I am!!!!
Comment by peacelover Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 8:07 pm
We are going down to the court house right at 8:30 a.m. on June 1st. I am curious to see how many people show up. We are having a small ceremony in our own back yard on June 4th with family and friends.
Comment by Engaged Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 9:04 pm
47th Ward: the Iowa couple doesnt need to do anything. Dont know about the Canadian couple.
Comment by It's Just Me Wednesday, May 25, 11 @ 9:14 pm
My partner and I plan to make it official after more than 22 years.
Comment by It's about time Thursday, May 26, 11 @ 3:34 am