In recent weeks, Cook County and City Hall have each taken official steps to acknowledge gay and lesbian citizens. The former in supporting equal rights; the latter in attributing equal responsibilities.
In a resolution that was adopted on June 10 but made public only recently, the Cook County Commission on Human Rights (CCCHR) has come out against the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA) and any attempt to change the Illinois Constitution to limit marriage to 'a man and a woman.'
The Commission stated its mandate to advise the Cook County Board of Commissioners and its President 'on matters involving discrimination and harassment' before noting that 'lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens have yet to secure full legal protection under federal and local laws.'
The resolution then goes on to say that neither Constitution 'should be used to engender inequality' and ends in expressing the CCCHR's support for the adoption of a Cook County Board of Commissioners' resolution that would oppose any state or federal amendment restricting the definition of civil marriage.
Meanwhile at Chicago City Council, the Committee on Committees, Rules and Ethics has made some changes to the language of Section 2-156 of the Municipal Code in order to reflect the reality of domestic partners. The substitute ordinance on ethics was introduced by Ald. Tom Tunney and adopted at a June 18 meeting.
The Section in question regulates professional relationships between municipal employees and their respective family members. It lays out what is considered inappropriate conduct by a city official and covers such practices as offering, receiving and soliciting gifts or favors; conflicts of interest and appearance of impropriety; and preferential employment. The new language adds 'domestic partner' wherever the words 'spouse' or 'relatives' appear so that same-sex and unmarried couples will now be held to the same standards and bound by the same restrictions as their married counterparts.
The ordinance is scheduled to take effect 30 days after its passage and publication.