The same sex couples in Illinois are given the right to enter into civil unions and enjoy all the protections and privileges same as that of the married couples, from Wednesday. Illinois joined five other states in legalizing civil union in January. The Gov. Pat Quinn signed the law in front of the crowd of cheering residents during a ceremony that was conducted in the Chicago auditorium and declared that purpose behind the same is to show the whole world that the people of Illinois believe in equality before law.

With this new law, the same sex and heterosexual couples can enter into civil unions granting them the same rights as that of married couples and the rights include automatic hospital visitation rights, the ability to make emergency medical decisions for partners, the ability to share a room in a nursing home, adoption and parental rights, pension benefits, inheritance rights and the right to dispose of a partner’s remains.

In addition to Illinois, five other States and Districts in Columbia namely California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington have civil unions or similar laws on the books.

A group of Illinois objected to this new law whereas yet another group acknowledged the same, as it allows them to enjoy those rights that are granted to other families.

Report by Sharika