CHICAGO (AP) -- Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has signed an executive order amending the state office's domestic partnership policy to extend benefits to same-sex couples.
The Democratic Senate candidate signed the order Sunday in Chicago.
The executive order recognizes same-sex domestic partnerships as equivalent to marriages for treasurer's office employees.
For example, the policy will allow gay and lesbian employees unpaid time off to care for a sick partner or for the birth or adoption of children.
Giannoulias says signing the order is "about fairness and equality" not "about politics."
Giannoulias faces Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk in the Senate race.
A Kirk spokeswoman says he supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and agrees there shouldn't be workplace discrimination.
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Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com
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