Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich announced that more and more same-sex domestic partners of state employees have chosen to receive healthcare benefits—a development made possible because of his administrative order.
Altogether, 201 employees from 33 agencies, boards, commissions and universities under Blagojevich now receive these benefits, in addition to employees who work in the Offices of the Attorney General, Secretary of State and Comptroller, a press release stated.
On May 8, Blagojevich issued an order extending health benefits to same-sex domestic partners of state employees. On June 23, the governor announced that 178 employee domestic partners had opted to receive this benefit that was effective July 1.
According to the release, those not extending these benefits to their employees include the Office of the Treasurer, Senate Republicans, House Republicans and the Executive Ethics Commission.