Brandon Semel | Northern Star

Jaelyn Paulsen (left) and Darla Cook (right) embrace during their wedding ceremony, the first for a same-sex couple in DeKalb County. Though same-sex marriage will not be available to all people in Illinois until June 1, Paulsen and Cook were able to wed early after filing a lawsuit against Doug Johnson, DeKalb County clerk and recorder. Johnson did not fight the lawsuit. Paulsen and Cook were issued their marriage license Thursday, opening the door for other local same-sex couples to apply for and receive marriage licenses.