A federal judge in Chicago ruled on Monday that LGBT couples in Cook County, Ill. can receive marriage licenses ahead of the state's legalization next June if one person is severely ill.
Illinois' gay marriage legalization is slated to take effect on June 1, 2014. But following three same-sex couples' legal pursuit after being turned down for accelerated licenses, a Chicago judge decided to ease up on the legislation.
Any Cook County residents who can produce proof from a licensed medical practitioner that one of the partners won't live until the law begins next year can receive an emergency marriage license.
"This establishes a process so couples won't have to go to court in the future if they're facing similar circumstances," Cook County spokesperson Courtney Greve told Reuters.
Six people have received accelerated licenses since November. Two women - one of them with terminal cancer - from Chicago were the first LGBT couple to marry in November, after they sued the state for a license.
Two other couples received expedited licenses last week, according to Greve.
Illinois is the 16th state in America to legalize gay marriage, and the third Midwestern state to pass the law, behind Iowa and Minnesota.
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