More than 6,500 same-sex marriages performed in Cook County

CHICAGO (WLS) -- More than 6,500 same sex couples have married in Cook County since Clerk David Orr began issuing marriage licenses nearly a year ago.

He says 66 percent of the licenses were issued to couples from Chicago and the suburbs, but more than 1,800 couples traveled here from other states. Slightly more couples were male than female.

Last February, a federal judge cleared the way for Cook County to begin issuing marriage licenses before marriage equality took effect across the state.