Gay marriage law takes effect in Illinois

In this Nov. 15, 2013 photo provided by Sabra Blumhorst, Brunhorst, left, and her partner Chelsea Baker stand together on the day they exchanged wedding vows in in Makanda, Ill., months before the state recognized same-sex marriages. That all changes Sunday, June 1, 2014 when all Illinois’ counties must begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses under legislation signed into law late last year. “A lot of people have worked very hard for this day, and me and Chelsea are just pleased as punch,” said Blumhorst, a 31-year-old Carbondale coffeehouse barista who along with Baker, 24, expects to get their marriage license within days of the new law taking effect state wide. AP

CHICAGO – Gay and lesbian couples across Illinois can be legally wed as the Midwestern state becomes the latest in the U.S. to allow same-sex marriage.

June 1 marks the first day all of Illinois’ 102 counties can issue the licenses to same-sex couples. It’s also the first day couples statewide who have civil unions can ask to convert those to a marriage.

Sunday’s celebration is anticlimactic for some, because 16 counties began issuing marriage licenses following a February federal court ruling.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed the law in November. Equality Illinois, a gay-rights advocacy group, estimates about 1,300 same-sex licenses have been issued since then.

Bernard Cherkasov is the group’s CEO. He calls Sunday “a history-making day in Illinois.”