Cook county marriage certificate

Cook County certifies gay couples

It's not quite a marriage license, but starting Oct. 1 gays and lesbians will be able to sign up for a "certificate of domestic partnership" from the Cook County Clerk--the same office that grants marriage licenses.

With support from 13 of Cook County's 17 commissioners, including a Republican and bungalow-belt Democrats, the county followed the lead of Oak Park and San Francisco in extending recognition, if not legal standing, to lesbians and gays.

"I know many gay and lesbian couples who are great parents and will be great parents," said mayoral brother John Daley, the county board's finance chairman whose support was crucial to passing the ordinance. "I'm a supporter of this and I'm not catering to any special interest groups whatsoever--it's the right thing to do."

Conservative and religious groups opposing the registry generated hundreds of telephone calls to commissioners over the last week, warning the registry was a step toward legalizing gay marriage.

"The courts look at public policy statements adopted by governments," said Ralph Rivera, legislative liaison for Family PAC. "They know they don't have the votes to pass this in the Legislature, so they try to do it through the courts, like they did in Canada-- that's the danger."

Three Republican commissioners voted against the measure, including Carl Hansen (R-Mount Prospect), who said, "Gays and lesbians have a right to live as they choose. But they don't have a right to redefine marriage for our entire society. This proposal is so loosely written as to allow as many as six such registrations in one year. Such a trivialization is unworthy of serious consideration or comparison to marriage in the state of Illinois."

Another Republican commissioner, Gregg Goslin (R-Glenview), voted present and the fifth Republican commissioner, Pete Silvestri (R- Elmwood Park), voted for it.

"My upbringing has taught me not to judge people," said Silvestri, whose district includes Oak Park. "This does not create a marriage. This does not incur any taxpayer cost. My family, my church, always taught me to respect people. I vote yes."

All 12 Democrats supported the ordinance.

Rick Garcia, political director of Equality Illinois, said after the vote that the lopsided tally shows the increased respect that lesbians and gays command.

"Increasing numbers of gays and lesbians are coming out," he said. "John Daley knows us. Pete Silvestri, a Republican, knows us. To know us is to love us."

Commissioner Mike Quigley (D-Chicago), who sponsored the ordinance, said it would help Fortune 500 companies that offer benefits to employees' same-sex partners. He expects thousands of couples to sign up.

So many municipalities and counties--59--have enacted same-sex partnership registries that it is passe, Quigley said.

"This is mainstream. This is old news," Quigley said.

Cook County Clerk David Orr plans to start issuing the certificates in 90 days. They will cost $30--the same as a marriage certificate.

Without much discussion at all, commissioners also unanimously voted Tuesday to hold a hearing at which developers could make offers to redevelop the old Cook County Hospital. All but two of the commissioners also voted to advertise for bids to demolish the old hospital in case no developer makes a good offer.

President John Stroger says he still thinks demolishing the old building is the best option.