Illinois governor
grants benefits to partners of gay state employees

Illinois's Democratic governor, Rod Blagojevich, quietly extended domestic-partner benefits to gay and lesbian state employees on Monday.

Illinois is now the 13th state in the union to offer benefits to the partners of gay and lesbian state workers. Within the state, Cook County, the village of Oak Park, and the cities of Chicago and Urbana already offer domestic-partner benefits to government employees.

"The extension of domestic-partner benefits is not only the fair and just thing to do, it also strengthens illinois families," said Rick Garcia, public policy director of Equality Illinois, a statewide advocacy group. "We commend the governor for making Illinois a beacon for fairness and equality." (The Advocate)