Same-Sex Partnerships Granted Equal Benefits in Illinois Treasurer’s Office

Same-sex couples won a small victory in Illinois when the State Treasurer signed an executive order amending the office's domestic partnership policy. The order signed by Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias stated that same-sex domestic partnerships are equivalent to marriages with regard to treasurer's office employee benefits.

The amended policy will give gay and lesbian employees of the treasurer's office unpaid time off to care for an ill partner, for example, or for the birth or adoption of a child. Giannoulias is running against Republican US Representative Mark Kirk in the Senate race but claims that signing the order is "about fairness and equality," not politics. A spokeswoman for Kirk commented that Kirk supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The spokeswoman also commented that Kirk agrees with Giannoulias that there shouldn't be workplace discrimination.

If you have questions or concerns about your rights in a same-sex relationship, you should take the time to speak with a family law attorney as soon as possible.