Ill. governor applauds ruling allowing same-sex couples to wed in Cook County

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.

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U.S. District Judge Sharon Coleman ruled Friday that gay couples in Cook County don’t have to wait. In the ruling, she says no opposition was presented to the court. The decision stems from a lawsuit filed against the Cook County clerk, who supports gay marriage.

In a statement Friday, Quinn says many Illinois couples have waited long enough. He says every county across Illinois should enjoy the same freedom.

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.