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Chicago, IL — As same-sex marriage begins in Iowa, many gay and lesbian couples in Chicago are waiting for marriage equality in Illinois.

"There are probably some people going to Iowa, but we're not finding them," Modesto Tico Valle, executive director of the Center on Halsted, told the Chicago Tribune. "I think people are waiting for Illinois."

Because Iowa lacks a residency requirement, out-of-state gay and lesbian couples may join Iowans in seeking marriage licenses.  However, gay rights advocacy groups, including Equality Illinois, warn most states won't recognize same-sex marriages that take place in Iowa.

"It's one of the first things we told couples," said Rick Garcia of Equality Illinois. "It's a great ruling, and we're thrilled for Iowans. You can get married in Iowa. But when you get back to Illinois, in the eyes of the law, you are strangers."

State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) has sponsored a bill that would help grant same-sex couples in Illinois many of the same rights as opposite-sex married couples.  The Illinois Religious Freedom and Civil Union Act (HB2234) to legalize civil unions awaits a vote in the Illinois House and would then need to clear the Senate. 

The bill would give gay and lesbian couples in a civil union the right to hospital visitation, healthcare decision-making, survivor benefits, shared nursing home living, and authority to make funeral arrangments. 

This morning, buses carrying gay rights supporters departed from Chicago's north side enroute to Springfield, Illinois.  The group plans to lobby lawmakers in support of HB2234 and civil unions.

This bill specifically affirms that no religious institution or denomination can ever be forced to solemnize these unions.

"You have people in Illinois and Missouri and other surrounding states who want to be married but they aren't willing to go anyplace except their own county clerk," Garcia told the Tribune. "They also know that the Iowa ruling is right here in the heartland, and a lot of people believe that if Iowa did it, why can't we?"

Same-sex marriage is now legal in four states: Iowa, Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

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