Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley is on a roll. Not satisfied with getting gender-identity into the county human-rights law last
year, or fighting against the Salvation Army and the Boy Scouts receiving county support, now he is working to pass a registry for
domestic partners in Cook County.
While viewed by many as mostly symbolic efforts which are a far cry from actual marriage, government-sanctioned partner
registries do provide one more piece of documentation for couples seeking equality in the eyes of the law. Whether used to assist in
receiving partnership healthcare benefits, visits to a hospital, child custody, or during an emergency while traveling, the paperwork
can assist in helping to verify a relationship that has little legal standing.
Oak Park, always on the cutting edge of gay and racial rights, was the first Illinois' municipality to pass such a registry.
Quigley said he already has 11 of the 17 County Commissioners signed on to co-sponsor the measure—with Quigley joined by
County Board President John Stroger and County Board Finance Chairman John Daley as sponsors.
Cook County Clerk David Orr's office would be charged with administering the $30 'affidavit of domestic partnership' certificate.
Orr's office has had to deny same-sex couples marriage certificates during various staged protests over the years—this would seem
to be a welcome relief for the pro-gay Orr. He sent a strongly worded letter in support of the measure to Quigley: 'It is with great
pleasure that I write in support of your sponsorship of the Domestic Partnership Registry Ordinance ... . Creating a same-sex registry
in Cook County would give gay and lesbian couples an opportunity to declare their commitment to one another in writing. It would
show that Cook County wants to encourage long-term relationships and support strong families. It would also provide private-sector
employers with an easier method of determining who is qualified to receive company benefits extended to domestic partners.'
Cook County State's Attorney Richard A. Devine also urged the passage of the bill in a letter sent to Commissioners. 'The
applications of this ordinance are few, but meaningful,' he wrote. 'Like Cook County and the City of Chicago, many local
governments and private employers are choosing to provide healthcare coverage to the same-sex partners of their employees. The
establishment of the domestic-partnership registry is a means to simplify this process and make it easier for small businesses to
extend benefits that help retain quality employees. In addition, many partners may find the need to prove the validity of their
relationships in healthcare situations and other emergencies. ... Most importantly, by creating this registry we send a clear message
that as leaders in our community we value the contributions of all our residents.'
The ordinance was introduced June 17 with no advance notice—to avoid protests. Quigley's Human Relations Committee will
hold a meeting on the ordinance soon.
The ordinance describes a 'domestic partnership' as 'the relationship of two unmarried adults of the same sex' who meet criteria
listed, including they are at least 18 and unrelated by blood, they share a common household, and they financially and emotionally
support one another.
The law allows for Orr's office to give 'affidavits of termination' if a couple breaks up.
In 1999, Cook County passed an ordinance extending benefits to same-sex partners of government employees.
Sponsors:
Mike Quigley 312-603-4210
President John Stroger 312-603-6396
John Daley 312-603-4400
Co-Sponsors:
Forrest Claypool 312-603-6380; Earlean Collins 312-603-4566 ; Roberto Maldonado 312-603-6386 ; Joseph Mario Moreno 312-
603-5443 ; Joan Murphy 312-603-4216; Deborah Sims 312-603-6381; Bobbie Steele 312-603-3019; Larry Suffredin 312-603-
6383.
Urge these Commissioners to vote yes:
Jerry Butler 312-603-6391; Elizabeth Gorman 312-603-4215; Anthony Peraica 312-603-6384; Pete Silvestri 312-603-4393.