Jaimie Pagano, left, greets her son Cooper, 14 months and wife Nikki Pagano, right, at the bottom of a slide at a park in Naperville on Thursday, June 21, 2012. Jaimie and Nikki were in Chicago last year for the mass civil union ceremony after they were legalized in Illinois. The both agree that civil union's are a step in the right direction but are still far from equal to the rights married couples have. | Brian Powers~Sun-Times Media

Jamie (left) and Nikki Pagano of Naperville, with two month-old son Cooper, listen to the judge during their civil union ceremony at Millennium Park in downtown Chicago Thursday, June 2, 2011. | Marianne Mather~Sun-Times Media

A picture dating back over 20 years of Donn Bofani (left) and Jerry McManaman. June 21, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Donn Bofani (left) and his partner Jerry McManaman with their Siberian husky named Frost in Elgin. The two have been partners and best friends for over 41 years. Their relationship has not changed since the Civil Union law, what has changed is that they both have piece of mind as they enter their golden years. June 21, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

From left to right, Stephen Bona, Michael Bradley, Marsha Walker, Carrie Brecke, Donn Bofani and Jerry McManaman all pose for a photographer after they had their Civil Unions made official at the Kane County Courthouse in St. Charles on Thursday, June 2, 2011. The three couples were the first to be officially unionized in Kane County. | Brian Powers~Sun-Times Media

Nicole Warmack, left, laughs with her now legal partner Tracey Supan, right, after the couple enjoyed their official first kiss at their home in Yorkville on Thursday, June 2, 2011. After 9 years together, Nicole and Tracey were the second in line on Tuesday in to apply for their Civil Union License Kendall County and had a ceremony with family and friends at their home to make it official. | Brian Powers~Sun-Times Media