WBEZ 91.5 Chicago

Illinois started issuing civil union licenses Tuesday morning.The unions, which grant some of the same rights of a traditional marriage on the state level, are for both same-sex and hetero-sexual couples.Many people lined up early this morning at the Cook County clerk's office in downtown Chicago, i

It used to be utility costs were just a small part of the costs of home ownership. But if home prices continue to drop as they have, heating costs may rival mortgage rates.

The Illinois General Assembly recently approved a bill that would allow power companies to raise electricity rates. The legislation is backed by Commonwealth Edison. The utility argues that it needs the extra revenue to update an aging electrical grid.

Local conservative Tom Roeser was long opposed to civil unions. In fact the columnist and WLS weekend host praised Cardinal George for his opposition to this legislation. Roeser spent 17 years as weekend host. He died this Sunday, May 29, about two weeks after retiring from his show.

While civil unions are good news for some in the community, others are skeptical. Yasmin Nair is a co-founder of Against Equality, an online publishing and arts collective that critiques mainstream gay and lesbian politics.

As of June 1, couples around Illinois can enter civil unions. The news is particularly good for many in the gay and lesbian community, who don’t have the right to marry, but not everyone is celebrating.

Lawmakers in Greece this week have passed bills clearing the way for international financial aid crucial to solving the country’s debt crisis.