The happy couples kiss before the 'Unions in the Park', the cities celebration of the first day of civil unions in Illinois, officiated by volunteer judges. Thursday, June 02, 2011 | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

Shanelle Moffett and Tenisha Watkins hug before their ceremony in the 'Unions in the Park' the cities celebration of the first day of civil unions in Illinois, officiated by volunteer judges. Thursday, June 02, 2011 | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

Gov. Pat Quinn, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chief Judge Tim Evans at the 'Unions in the Park' the cities celebration of the first day of civil unions in Illinois, officiated by volunteer judges. Thursday, June 02, 2011 | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

Claudia Angelica, Marcado Lopez and their daughter Isabel Lopez-Mercado 2, pose before the 'Unions in the Park', The cities celebration of the first day of civil unions in Illinois, officiated by volunteer judges. Thursday, June 02, 2011 | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

'Unions in the Park' the cities celebration of the first day of civil unions in Illinois, officiated by volunteer judges. Thursday, June 02, 2011 | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

Mark Weber embraces Roy Wesley after being granted a civil union by Judge Patricia Logue at the 'Unions in the Park' the cities celebration of the first day of civil unions in Illinois, officiated by volunteer judges. Thursday, June 02, 2011 | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

Chief Judge Tim Evans speaks at the 'Unions in the Park' the cities celebration of the first day of civil unions in Illinois, officiated by volunteer judges. Thursday, June 02, 2011 | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

Gillian Smith and Sarah Connor of Uptown are wed by Judge Stuart Katz at the 'Unions in the Park' the cities celebration of the first day of civil unions in Illinois, officiated by volunteer judges. Thursday, June 02, 2011 | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

Alen Nicholas and Jef Johnson of bronzeville kiss and get photographed before the 'Unions in the Park' the cities celebration of the first day of civil unions in Illinois, officiated by volunteer judges. Thursday, June 02, 2011 | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

Nakesha Starks holds a mirror as Tenisha Watkins reacts to the make-up that Nakesha Starks had applied 'Unions in the Park' the cities celebration of the first day of civil unions in Illinois, officiated by volunteer judges. Thursday, June 02, 2011 | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

Alen Nicholas and Jef Johnson of bronzeville before the 'Unions in the Park' the cities celebration of the first day of civil unions in Illinois, officiated by volunteer judges. Thursday, June 02, 2011 | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chief Judge Tim Evans enjoy a laugh at the 'Unions in the Park' the cities celebration of the first day of civil unions in Illinois, officiated by volunteer judges. Thursday, June 02, 2011 | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

Mayor Rahm Emanuel speaks at the 'Unions in the Park' the cities celebration of the first day of civil unions in Illinois, officiated by volunteer judges. Thursday, June 02, 2011 | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

Chief Judge Tim Evans officiates a union as James Darby has his ring slipped on by Patrick Bova at the 'Unions in the Park' the cities celebration of the first day of civil unions in Illinois, officiated by volunteer judges. Thursday, June 02, 2011 | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

Chief Judge Tim Evans officiates a union as James Darby and Patrick Bova kiss at the 'Unions in the Park' the cities celebration of the first day of civil unions in Illinois, officiated by volunteer judges. Thursday, June 02, 2011 | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

Gov. Pat Quinn and Mayor Rahm Emanuel at the 'Unions in the Park' the cities celebration of the first day of civil unions in Illinois, officiated by volunteer judges. Thursday, June 02, 2011 | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times