![M. Spencer Green, APIllinois Gov. Pat Quinn, center, signs the state's Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act into law, making Illinois the 16th state in the nation to embrace full marriage equality for same sex couples, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, in Chicago.](https://lgbtqnation-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/2013/11/Quinn-signs-IL-marriage-bill.jpg)
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, center, signed the state’s Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act into law on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, in Chicago.
CHICAGO — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is applauding a federal judge’s ruling to allow same-sex couples in Cook County to immediately wed.
Quinn signed same-sex marriage into law last year, but it doesn’t take effect until June.
Article continues below
In a statement Friday, Quinn says many Illinois couples have waited long enough. He says every county across Illinois should enjoy the same freedom.
Never Miss a Beat
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.
Attorneys say Friday’s ruling could open the door to other county clerks statewide being able to issue marriage certificates right away.
On Friday afternoon, same-sex couples began lining up to obtain their marriage licenses after County Clerk David Orr announced he would begin issuing them immediately.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Don't forget to share: