Before heading to Millennium Park to
celebrate the civil unions of 30 gay and lesbian couples, Chicago
Mayor Rahm Emanuel officiated over the civil union of one of his top
staffers, the Chicago Tribune reported.
On Wednesday, the first day Illinois'
civil unions law took effect, David Spielfogel, Emanuel's chief of
policy and strategic planning, tweeted to his 370 followers: “civil
union license in hand!”
Emanuel noted his officiating duties
while speaking at Millennium Park before the civil union ceremonies
got underway.
“I started this morning, actually,
using my ceremonial office for the first time ... conducting a civil
union for a member of my staff, my senior adviser, and I'm also told
that one of my commissioners is joining in a civil union today,” he
told the crowd of about 200 people.
Emanuel told couples preparing to tie
the knot: “It has been a long journey here, and for all of you
entering into civil unions today, you have a long and fruitful
journey ahead.”
He added that the City of Chicago would
extend benefits to the spouses of a city employee in a civil union
starting on Thursday.
Spielfogel messaged: “yes. my
honeymoon is a meeting about TIF reform.”