Illinois Civil Union Ceremonies

In celebration of the first day of civil union ceremonies in Illinois, the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations’ Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues will host 30 civil union ceremonies in Wrigley Square at Millennium Park. The event is co-sponsored by The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in partnership with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture, Lambda Legal, Equality Illinois, and the Alliance of Illinois Judges. The Hon. Timothy C. Evans, Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, along with members of the Alliance of Illinois Judges will officiate the civil union ceremonies. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and New Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel will attend. All 30 couples participating on June 2 will obtain a civil union license from the Cook County Clerk’s office on June 1, the first day that civil union licenses can be obtained at any County Clerk’s office. By law, couples must wait until the day after they obtain their license to have their civil union ceremony performed. The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus will begin the civil union ceremonies.

Event website