LGBT Illinoisans could see marriage equality early next year, but one elected official says he can't wait that long.
Openly gay Chicago Ald. James Cappleman is leaving Illinois to wed longtime community activist Richard Thale, after 22 years together.
"Symbolically, we were married 22 years ago," Cappleman told Windy City Times. "The protections that marriage provides, it's almost like driving a car without insurance."
Cappleman and Thale are headed to Seattle, the alderman said. His brother will be performing the ceremony.
Cappleman and Thale had a civil union in September 2012, and they had hoped to wed in their home state of Illinois in 2013.
However, struggles to pass marriage equality in the state dashed those hopes. Even if the Illinois House passes the measure during veto session this fall, the bill would not take effect until June of next year.
Cappleman said waiting until then was too big a risk, especially since the strike down of the Defense of Marriage Act now means that gay married couples can access federal benefits.
"We thought about waiting," said Cappleman. "But if something happened to me, we would be chancing it, and we didn't want to chance it."
Cappleman said he hopes his move to leave the state will send a message to Illinois lawmakers who have wavered on the measure.
He and Thale will tie the knot Nov. 18. They celebrate 22 years together on Oct. 18.