Dozens of same-sex couples lined up outside the Vital Records office at the Daley Center June 1 as the Cook County Clerk's office began offering civil-union licenses at 7:30 a.m.
One couple, Rosalind and Betsy, told Windy City Times that "it's a really happy day because we can get at least some of the rights as heterosexual couples." Betsy recounted popping the question, as Rosalind cried: "I surprised her. I was going out of town for the weekend and we love Shaw's Oyster Bar [ in Schaumburg ] . I got some flowers and I know the bartender. She thought I was just giving her flowers because I was going out of town, but I gave her the ring—and I thought she was going to pass out."
The couple, who actually met through the dating agency In Good Company four years ago, said they arrived at the office at 6:30 a.m. ( It opened at 7:30 a.m. to start distributing the licenses. )
The first couple to get a license was Janean Latricia Watkins and Lakeesha Harris. As they received their license, the administering county employee started to cry—and then the couple did so as well.
Officials then ushered Watkins and Harris into a reception room filled with gifts donated by 20 local businesses and organizations, including Eli's Cheesecake, Lambda Legal, Crew Bar + Grill and the Goodman Theatre.
In the room, Watkins told reporters, "We're overwhelmed. I've never seen [ Lakeesha ] cry over something like this. It means a lot to us." Harris added, "I'm just overwhelmed with emotion right now. ... This has been a long, long road. So many activists have worked for so many years in the state of Illinois. I just want you guys to know that we appreciate you."
Watkins then said, "We all appreciate everybody who's worked so hard to get this done—all of the hours of toiling over how we're going to make sure people understand our family...
"We've been through every worst-case scenario in our minds, [ such as ] who would take our kids if something happened," Harris said. She then thanked state Reps. Greg Harris and Deb Mell for their parts in getting the civil-union measure passed.
"Thank you so much," Watkins echoed.
They plan to take part in the June 2 Millennium Park mass civil-union ceremony.
Civil-union licenses will be available to same-sex and heterosexual couples. All couples need to meet the following criteria:
—Be at least 18 years old;
—Not be related to one another;
—Have valid, current identification, such as a driver's license, state ID or U.S. passport;
—Pay a $35 license application fee. ( Personal checks and Visa will not be accepted. )
—Couples who are currently registered as domestic partners in Cook County will receive a $20 discount and their domestic partnership will be automatically dissolved.
