Andrea Denney (far left) and her partner Beth Reich (far right) are pictured with their children Peyton, 10, (top), Bennett, 8, (middle) and Emerson, 4, (center) at their residence Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, in Flossmoor. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Andrea Denney (left) and her partner Beth Reich (right) talk about why marriage is important to them as Andrea holds their daughter Emerson, 4, at their residence Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, in Flossmoor. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Andrea Denney (right) and her partner Beth Reich (left) talk about why marriage is important to them at their residence Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, in Flossmoor. The two, who will be together 25 years in April 2013, held a civil union in July 2011. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Andrea Denney (left) and her partner Beth Reich (right) talk about why marriage is important to them at their residence Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, in Flossmoor. The two, who will be together 25 years in April 2013, held a civil union in July 2011. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Andrea Denney (left) and her partner Beth Reich (right) talk about why marriage is important to them at their residence Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, in Flossmoor. The two, who will be together 25 years in April 2013, held a civil union in July 2011. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Andrea Denney talks in her residence Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, in Flossmoor. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Beth Reich is seen in her residence Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, in Flossmoor. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Andrea Denney (far left) and her partner Beth Reich (top center) gather with their children (from left to right) Emerson, 4, Peyton, 10, and Bennett, 8, at their residence Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, in Flossmoor. The two, who will be together 25 years in April 2013, held a civil union in July 2011. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media