Illinois civil union license to confer rights of inheritance, hospital visitation, and end-of-life decisions

Kurt Ullrich of the Debuque, Iowa, Telegraph-Herald examined the ramifications of Illinois' just-passed civil union legislation, which takes effect in June.

Jo Daviess County Clerk Jean Dimke sat in her office, reflecting on the latest bill passed by the Illinois Senate.
     ...The bill defines a civil union as "a legal relationship between two persons, of either the same or opposite sex." Not quite as inclusive and wide-ranging as Iowa's gay-marriage statute, Illinois' bill does offer many of the rights granted to married couples. The bill reads, in part, "A party to a civil union is entitled to the same legal obligations, responsibilities, protections and benefits as are afforded or recognized by the law of Illinois to spouses ..."
     Increased rights include the right to inherit, the right to visit partners in a hospital, the ability to share a room in a nursing home and the power to make end-of-life decisions for a partner.
     "The civil union bill pretty much mirrors the current Illinois marriage act," Dimke said as she leafed through the bill's contents.
     Couples interested in forming a civil union, be they two males, two females, or a male and female, would have to appear at an Illinois county clerk's office and fill out an application. The clerk then would issue a license and a certificate that must be returned after the civil union ceremony. The license and certificate are good for one to 60 days and must be completed and returned to a clerk within 10 days of a ceremony.
     Dimke said anybody in Illinois who can perform a marriage can perform a civil union ceremony.
     The unions would be recognized in some other states but do not apply to federal laws or benefits.