Orr issues first marriage license of 2007

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Today marked the 17th consecutive year that Cook County Clerk David Orr married the couple that obtained the first marriage license issued in the new year.

David Garcia, 22, and Rosalinda Gonzalez, also 22, received the first marriage license of 2007 and were married by Clerk Orr in the traditional first marriage ceremony. The newlyweds reside in Virginia but have relatives who live in Chicago.

Orr is the only county clerk in Illinois with the authority to perform marriages. He asked a judge to waive the standard 24-hour waiting period so he could conduct the ceremony this morning.

The Clerk’s office paid the couple’s license fee and is also giving the newlyweds donated gift certificates redeemable for: a show at Steppenwolf Theatre, dinner at a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, and a weekend stay at a Chicago Hilton Hotel.

The Clerk’s office issues all marriage licenses in Chicago and suburban Cook County. The office issued: 35,114 in 2006; 36,439 in 2005; 36,491 in 2004; and 37,882 in 2003.