It's Personal » Civil Unions in Illinois

We have been together almost 5 years….It’s important for us to have a civil union so we will have legal protections in case something should happen to one of us.

H.H. and T.G., Bloomington, Illinois

Already registered as domestic partners for almost six years, we will enter into a civil union with 29 other couples during a City of Chicago-sponsored ceremony on June 2. Next stop: full marriage equality.

F.B. and R.H., Chicago, Illinois

We didn’t need a civil union when we got married in 1999, but we are glad that Illinois is moving toward full equality.

C.K. and M.K., Chicago, Illinois

We got non-legally married in our church. We’re waiting for Illinois law to catch up.

A.C. and J.O., Chicago, Illinois

After 17 years of marriage, we don’t need the legal protections of a civil union. But we congratulate all the couples across Illinois who will benefit from this law.

D.D. and E.Y., Arlington Heights, Illinois

We have been together almost 5 years….It’s important for us to have a civil union so we will have legal protections in case something should happen to one of us. Already registered as domestic partners for almost six years, we will enter into a civil union with 29 other couples during a City of Chicago-sponsored ceremony on June 2. Next stop: full marriage equality. We didn’t need a civil union when we got married in 1999, but we are glad that Illinois is moving toward full equality. We got non-legally married in our church. We’re waiting for Illinois law to catch up. After 17 years of marriage, we don’t need the legal protections of a civil union. But we congratulate all the couples across Illinois who will benefit from this law.

Civil Unions in Illinois

Governor Quinn signing the civil unions bill into law.

On December 1st, 2010, the Illinois Senate approved the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, after the Illinois House’s approval the previous day. Governor Quinn signed the legislation on January 30th, 2011. Beginning on June 1st, the extensive and crucially important protections available by joining in a civil union will be available to all Illinois citizens.

This guide to civil unions will help you learn about this important legislation. Questions about how this law relates to your specific situation may require you to consult a lawyer. If you read through this website and still have questions about why you have been unable to obtain a civil union or why your civil union is not being treated the same as a marriage, then contact us:

By Phone:	(312) 201-9740 (800) 572-1092 (inside Illinois only)
By Fax:	(312) 201-9760
By Post:	ACLU of Illinois Intake Department 180 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2300 Chicago, IL 60601

History

The fight for civil unions took many years, culminating in historic debates on the floor of the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate. Download copies of:

House Debate Transcript (November 30th, 2010)
Senate Debate Transcript (December 1, 2010, pages 46-94)

You can also learn more about the history of this legislation at the ACLU of Illinois’ LGBT Rights page.