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10,000th same-sex couple gets marriage license in Cook County

A pair of Chicago residents on Wednesday became the 10,000th same-sex couple to receive a marriage license in Cook County since same-sex marriage became legal in Illinois two years ago, Cook County Clerk David Orr's office announced.

"We should take pride in this historic milestone," Orr said after Tony Aranda, 50, and Terry Beauchamp, 49, were issued a marriage license.

The 10,000th couple was presented with an array of gifts donated to the clerk's office to help mark the occasion, including a honeymoon package provided by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, a romantic dinner for two at Appellation Wine Bar and Restaurant in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood and a selection of 'Thank You' cards and stationery from Chicago-based stationery designer La Familia Green.

Orr noted that marriage equality means that there are other benefits same-sex couples can take advantage of, such as hospital visitation rights, tax benefits and more.

"Things that straight couples have taken for granted for so long," Orr said.

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