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The law allowing same-sex marriage in Illinois went into effect Sunday.

Illinois becomes the 19th state to legalize same-sex marriage.

Governor Pat Quinn signed the bill last November and it was scheduled to take effect Sunday June.

However , U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman in February ruled gays and lesbians in Cook County, could immediately begin to marry.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said a few weeks later that other county clerks could issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples without waiting until June 1st.

Cook County began issuing marriage licenses in February, however the clerk’s office is closed today.

The office will be open tomorrow to begin changing existing civil unions to marriages for same-sex couples, as well as issuing marriage licenses to couples who plan to have a ceremony.

Same-sex couples have been able to enter into civil unions in Illinois since 2011.

Illinois is now among 19 other states and D.C. in which same-sex couples can legally marry. – See more at: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/06/01/ill-sex-marriage-law-takes-effect-statewide/#sthash.7wndaWef.dpuf

Illinois is now among 19 other states and D.C. in which same-sex couples can legally marry. – See more at: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/06/01/ill-sex-marriage-law-takes-effect-statewide/#sthash.7wndaWef.dpuf

Illinois is now among 19 other states and D.C. in which same-sex couples can legally marry. – See more at: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/06/01/ill-sex-marriage-law-takes-effect-statewide/#sthash.7wndaWef.dpuf