Another downstate Illinois county says it hopes to issue marriage licenses to gay couples earlier than expected.
A federal judge ruled last week that gay couples in Cook County should not have to wait until the original June First start date of Illinois’ new gay marriage law. She said her decision only applies to Cook County.
But Republican McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael says she hopes to be issuing licenses by the middle of next week.
“It’s legal, if there’s an illness, to be granted a marriage license of same-sex, now. Why would it be delayed ‘till June First, when there are exceptions that are already being made?
Champaign County also says it will begin allowing same-sex marriages. Illinois county clerks are split on whether the ruling should apply to the whole state - or just Cook County.