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Gay marriage law takes effect in Illinois

By WTOP Staff

Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) — Gay and lesbian couples across Illinois can be legally wed as the state becomes the latest in the nation to allow same-sex marriage.

June 1 marks the first day all of Illinois’ 102 counties can issue the licenses to same-sex couples. It’s also the first day couples statewide who have civil unions can ask to convert those to a marriage.

Sunday’s celebration is anticlimactic for some, because 16 counties began issuing marriage licenses following a February federal court ruling.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed the law in November. Equality Illinois, a gay-rights advocacy group, estimates about 1,300 same-sex licenses have been issued since then.

Bernard Cherkasov is the group’s CEO. He calls Sunday “a history-making day in Illinois.”

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Emergency guide: What you should do to prepare for emergencies

By WTOP Staff
WASHINGTON — Do you know what you'd do if an emergency hits? What if you're at work, your spouse is stuck in traffic and your children are in school? There's no way to plan for every emergency, but you can make sure you're prepared for different scenarios, including making a plan for your family and building a kit of emergency supplies.
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