Illinois

Gov. Pat Quinn (pic) signed the state's civil union law in January '11. That bill included the right to decide medical care for an ailing partner and the right to inherit property, but it didn't include the ability for same-sex couples to file a joint tax return.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz cancelled an appearance at one of the most prominent megachurches in the U.S. after an online petition from Change.org condemned the followers as anti-gay. Schultz had been scheduled to speak at The Global Leadership Summit organized by the Willow Creek Association, based in South Barrington, Ill.

According to 2010 U.S. census data, the number of same-sex households increased more than 40 percent in Illinois over the past decade. "There has been a very sharp growth in acceptance," said Richard Rykhus, who lives in Evanston with Carlos Briones and their 6-year-old son. "I do think there's a correlation with these numbers when you look at how society now accepts same-sex couples and same-sex parent families. There were a lot of risks before.

The Catholic church refused to place any of the nearly 2,000 state wards it cares for with same-sex couples, so the Department of Children and Family Services notified Catholic Charities organizations in four suburban or Downstate dioceses that the agency intended to terminate their foster-care and adoption contracts with the state because of the church’s unwillingness to abide by Illinois’ new civil unions law.

Illinois joins five other states in legalizing civil unions, a move that will give same-sex couples many of the legal protections that are now granted to straight, married couples. Those who enter into civil unions will be able to: make medical decisions for each other, file a lawsuit for a partner’s death, receive pension benefits if a partner dies, dissolve the relationship in court and be considered legal parents of their children. Gov. Pat Quinn signed the historic civil union legislation into law in January.

On January 31st, Illinois' Gov. Pat Quinn will sign a new piece of legislation that will allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions. The new law will allow gay and lesbian couples to use civil unions as a way to gain several of the same rights as married couples, including sharing a nursing home room to being involved in important end-of-life decisions.

12/1/2010
Illinois House passes civil unions for gay and lesbian couples

Congratulations to Chicago Public Schools chief Ron Huberman [pictured] and his partner, Darren DeJong, on the birth of their first child, Aiden DeJong Huberman.

Friday's Chicago Sun-Times announced, "The dads are delighted."

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley selected Huberman to head the Chicago Public Schools in early 2009. Huberman, 37, replaced Arne Duncan, who was confirmed as President Barack Obama’s secretary of education.