Equality  Illinois

Early Voting

Voting is already underway for the important primary election coming on March 18. Your decisions could help or hurt the advancement of LGBT issues and the political leaders most likely to champion them in the halls of Congress and in the Illinois State Capitol, all the way down to our local officials.

There are several ways to meet your responsibility to vote. Early Voting is open and runs through March 15. You can cast your ballot at scores of special locations throughout the state (but not your regular polling place). To find an Early Voting place near you, click HERE.

Vote by Mail, also known as absentee voting, is also available to anyone. Get information for your local jurisdiction to Vote by Mail HERE.

Central Illinois Welcomes Marriage Equality

Champaign County Clerk Gordy Hulten (pictured left) today became the second county clerk in Illinois to issue marriage licenses to all loving, committed couples. Equality Illinois is challenging other clerks throughout the state to do the same.

Clerk Hulten said his Central Illinois constituents should enjoy the constitutional right of the freedom to marry that was enunciated on Friday by a federal judge in Chicago when she ordered same-sex marriages to begin in Cook County.

It is also significant that the licenses are now available in a Central Illinois county, which is within easy driving distance of not only Champaign-Urbana but also Peoria, Decatur, Springfield, Bloomington-Normal and Danville for couples and their families.

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U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman has just ordered Cook County to begin issuing marriage licenses immediately to same-sex couples.

At the same time, there are renewed attempts in Illinois to weaken or repeal our hard-won freedom to marry.

Tens of thousands of Illinois couples have been waiting for a long time, some for decades, for their love, commitment and marriage to be recognized. This day – and the opportunity to finally get married – could not have come sooner. We congratulate all of the couples and their families, and the people of Illinois on this significant day.

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Marriage Equality Forums

Attend an Equality Illinois Marriage Forum this month at the Chicago Urban League and Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago.

The forums are aimed at educating the public about SB10, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, and dispelling myths and empowering same-sex couples and their families to understand and use all their state and federal marriage rights.

Learn more and register at:
>Thurs., Feb. 20, 6 pm, Chicago Urban League, 4510 S. Michigan Ave. CLICK HERE.
>Tues., Feb. 25, 7 pm, Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St. CLICK HERE.