SB1716 has been signed. Starting June 1, Illinois will recognize civil unions, giving same-sex couples (and opposite-sex couples who hate federal benefits) the same rights and recognition afforded to married couples. Is it perfect? No, it is not, but short of calling civil unions marriage (which is an obvious non-starter for a large chunk of the voting populace), there is not much more IL can do. I've read the law a few times now and gone over the cross-referenced sections of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. I think this is a great step forward towards federal recognition of same-sex marriages and a real achievement for progressive voices in the state. I hope it is celebrated as such.