Same-Sex Households Up 40 Percent in Illinois

U.S. Census data revealed that the number of gay and lesbian households in Illinois has increased dramatically, according to a Chicago Tribune story.

The number of same-sex households is up 40 percent over the last decade according to U.S. Census data, released Thursday.

The Tribune story attributes the growth to an increase in acceptance of gay and lesbian couples, as evidenced by laws allowing civil unions, as well as the portrayal of gay characters in movies and television.

The Tribune provides a map that pinpoints the distribution of same sex homes in Chicago and suburbs.

In the village of Barrington, census data reported 14 male-male and 10 female-female households.