CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Dennis Cockrum and Joel Brotherton were among the dozens of couples who lined up in Champaign as gay marriage became officially legal in Illinois.
Champaign County Clerk Gordy Hulten said his office had processed about two dozen licenses as of Sunday afternoon. He expected to complete between 40 and 50 licenses by the end of the day. June 1 marked the first day all of Illinois’ 102 counties could begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Brotherton and Cockrum of Champaign say they’ve been together for 15 years. Cockrum says the couple felt like they were “part of history.” Brotherton called it “a tremendous day for us.”
Macon County Clerk Stephen Bean says one couple had come to his office and he expected two others.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.