In this Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014 photo, David Wilk, center left, stands with Charlie Gurion outside the Cook County Marriage and Civil Union Court in Chicago before they were officially married.
CHICAGO — Cook County issued 258 marriage licenses to same-sex couples in the first week it was allowed to do so by a court ruling.
A state law legalizing same-sex marriage takes effect June 1. But a federal judge in Chicago ruled Feb. 21 that Illinois’ original ban was unconstitutional. That means there’s nothing to stop couples from marrying now.
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The news you care about, reported on by the people who care about you.Because of the ruling, Champaign County has also begun issuing licenses. McLean County is to start March 24, and other counties may follow suit.
Among those applying in Cook County were couples from seven other states, nine other Illinois counties and 55 Chicago suburbs.
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