This year's first couple, Steven Pyo and Angela McKinney, had yet to share the news with their families before getting hitched.
Pyo and McKinney have been dating for a few years, and this past November, he surprised her with a proposal.
"We went to the signature room for Angela's birthday," said Pyo.
Wednesday morning, they decided, Why wait?
"We wanted to start off the New Year in a special way," Pyo said.
The couple lined up at 6:30 a.m., and when the office opened, they applied for a license. The standard 24-hour waiting period was waived, and they agreed to be married on the spot, and in just minutes they were declared husband and wife.
A 22-year tradition in Cook County, the first couple even got some goodies: a weekend getaway at the Palmer House Hilton, two theater tickets and dinner for two.
Now, they just have to share the big news it with their family!
"We wanted to surprise some of them, so we'll be telling them today," said Pyo. "They'll see it on the news. They'll be surprised."
The couple says they will eventually find time to take a honeymoon.
