Officials in Illinois say they expect to issue more than 2,000 civil union licenses today as gay and lesbian couples lined up at municipal buildings across the state to be among the first to legally register their partnerships under a new law.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the first couple in Chicago to get a license got in line at midnight for a 7:30 a.m. opening today. Lakeesha Harris and Janean Watkins have been together for 10 years, have six children and a home but told the Sun-Times they always felt relegated to second-class status, until now.

“We’ve been ostracized and relegated to the bottom rung of society,” said Harris, 36. “I feel like this is some sort of justice for us, for our family. I’m so grateful. I’m thankful.”

The first civil union ceremonies under the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act can’t take place until Thursday, when dozens of couples are expected to take part in a mass ceremony at Chicago’s Millennium Park. By law, couples are required to wait for one day after receiving a license to have a civil union performed.