Quinn to sign historic civil unions legislation

CHICAGO (AP) – A capacity crowd at a historic downtown Chicago venue. No, it isn’t a concert or even the big game – it’s to watch civil unions become legal in Illinois.

When Gov. Pat Quinn signs the historic legislation today afternoon, he’ll be joined by hundreds of members of the gay community and their supporters, many of whom have been waiting years for this moment to arrive.

Free tickets to the bill-signing event were long gone by late last week, and the governor’s office planned to set aside a portion of the space at the Chicago Cultural Center as standing-room only.

Legislators sent the civil unions bill to Quinn in December. It gives gay and lesbian couples official recognition from the state.