Midwest
Illinois Starts Granting Civil Unions
Thu, 2011-06-02 00:00 — AnonymousSPRINGFIELD—Add the Land of Lincoln to the list of states providing civil unions. Illinois' new civil union law went into effect on June 1, allowing both same-gender and opposite-gender couples to form a civil union, providing them with rights, benefits and obligations similar to those granted to married couples under Illinois law. Read more »
Illinois Governor Signs Civil Union Law
Tue, 2011-02-01 00:00 — AnonymousSPRINGFIELD—Gov. Pat Quinn this afternoon signed into law a measure legalizing civil unions for same-sex couples for the first time in Illinois. Read more »
Illinois Civil Union Law Includes Opposite-sex and Same-sex Couples
Fri, 2010-12-03 00:00 — AnonymousCHICAGO—While celebrated as a historic step forward for gay rights in Illinois, the new civil union bill that awaits Gov. Pat Quinn's signature also offers opportunities for heterosexual couples who don't want to wed but seek many of the legal protections of marriage. Read more »
Civil Union Bill Passes Illinois Senate
Thu, 2010-12-02 00:00 — AnonymousSPRINGFIELD—The Illinois Senate has approved civil unions, putting Illinois on the verge of granting official recognition to gay and lesbian couples.
The measure passed 32-24 Wednesday. It now goes to Gov. Pat Quinn, a strong supporter. He is expected to sign.
Civil unions would give gay couples many of the same rights as marriage for instance, the power to make medical decisions for a seriously ill partner.
Critics say this would amount to same-sex marriage under a different name. Read more »
IL House Passes Civil Union Bill
Tue, 2010-11-30 00:00 — AnonymousWashington—The Illinois House of Representatives passed a civil unions bill by a 61-52 vote. The bill now moves to the state Senate. Governor Pat Quinn has stated that he will sign the bill if it reaches his desk. Read more »
Iowa Voters Oust 3 Supreme Court Justices
Tue, 2010-11-02 23:00 — AnonymousDES MOINES—Three Iowa Supreme Court justices lost their seats Tuesday in a historic upset fueled by their 2009 decision that allowed same-sex couples to marry.
Vote totals from 96 percent of Iowa's 1,774 precincts showed Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and Justices David Baker and Michael Streit with less than the simple majority needed to stay on the bench.
Their removal marked the first time an Iowa Supreme Court justice has not been retained since 1962, when the merit selection and retention system for judges was adopted. Read more »
Right-Wing Challenge to Wisconsin DP Registry Filed
Tue, 2010-08-17 23:00 — AnonymousMADISON—A social conservative group filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging Wisconsin’s domestic partner registry, arguing it is a violation of the state’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Read more »
