Arlington couple first to be married in 2008

An Arlington Heights couple became the first to be married in Cook County, according to County Clerk David Orr's office.

In a surprise ceremony at his office at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 2, Orr married Malkia Davis and Marc Chambers. The couple took their vows in front of the cameras in a tradition dating back to 1991. This was the 18th consecutive surprise "First Marriage" performed by Orr.

Davis and Chambers of Arlington Heights were showered with gifts from local businesses, including Petterino's Restaurant of Lettuce Entertain You, The Palmer House Hilton and the Goodman Theater. "The Smartbride" Web site also presented the couple with champagne, a limo ride and wedding cake.

After the short ceremony, Orr then witnessed the couple update their voter registrations. Chambers recently moved to suburban Cook from Chicago and Davis changed her surname to Chambers. The "first couple" is now officially registered to vote and can cast their ballots for the upcoming February presidential primary election.

Malkia Davis and Marc Chambers met last summer at a picnic. Chambers is a technician for Verizon and Davis is a graduate student in psychology at Roosevelt.