Clerk Monica Gordon conducted a drawing on Facebook Live, Monday, December 22, to select the winning couple who will receive the first marriage license issued in Cook County in 2026 along with special wedding gifts including a hotel stay, steak and lobster, champagne, flowers, Eli’s cheesecake and dancing and cooking lessons.
The Clerk’s Office invited couples interested in tying the knot in 2026 to enter the drawing to receive the first marriage license and nearly 1,000 couples submitted their names to be part of the lottery contest.
A Northwest Indiana couple has been selected to receive Cook County’s first marriage license of 2026 following a lottery drawing conducted today by Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon.
The lucky couple is Stephanie Robledo and Christopher Perez of East Chicago, Indiana, who were chosen from nearly 1,000 couples who entered the annual lottery.
“It’s clear that love is alive and well this holiday season here in Cook County, and I am so proud to continue this joyful tradition for the First Marriage of 2026,” said Gordon.
The winning couple will be married on Friday, January 2, in the Clerk’s annual first wedding ceremony by Cook County Clerk, Monica Gordon.
Thanks to the generosity of several signature Chicago-area establishments, the First Couple will receive a collection of special gifts to celebrate their nuptials, including:
- A one-night hotel stay for two at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
- A Newlywed Gourmet Dinner Gift Box including Filet Mignon, Strip Steaks, and Lobster Tails provided by Whittingham Meats
- A sparkling wine basket and champagne flutes provided by Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
- A Gift Card provided by Eli’s Cheesecake
- A Wedding Dance Lesson provided by Duet Dance Studio
- A Cooking Lesson provided by The Chopping Block
- Wedding Flower Arrangements provided by LaSalle Flower Group
- Tickets to a Comedy Show provided by the Laugh Factory Chicago
ABOUT OUR SPONSORS:
THE RITZ-CARLTON, CHICAGO
Located atop the historic Water Tower Place, The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago offers refined luxury with sweeping views of Lake Michigan and the city skyline. Known for its exceptional service, elegant accommodations, and timeless hospitality, the hotel features thoughtfully designed guest rooms, a world-class spa, and upscale dining in the heart of downtown Chicago.
WHITTINGHAM MEATS
R. Whittingham and Sons Meat Co. has been a family-operated business since 1947, distributing USDA Prime and Choice cut meats to some of the finest restaurants, hotels, country clubs, and casinos throughout the Chicagoland area and across the United States. The company’s Alsip-based facility also includes a retail store for walk-in customers offering a wide range of fresh and frozen meat, seafood, and specialty products.
COOPERS HAWK WINERY & RESTAURANT
Founded in 2005, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants is built on the belief that food and wine hold the power to forge lasting connections. Cooper’s Hawk offers handcrafted wines inspired by Napa Valley’s Wine Country as well as modern, casual dining in inviting and upscale settings. With locations across Chicagoland and in nine states outside of Illinois, Cooper’s Hawk also offers customers a Napa-style tasting room experience and artisanal markets.
DUET DANCE STUDIO
Duet Dance Studio is an award-winning ballroom dance studio located in Chicago’s West Bucktown neighborhood. Duet Dance has been teaching Chicago to dance since 2013 and was recently placed in The Knot Best of Weddings “Hall of Fame.” Duet offers ballroom dance lessons and specialized wedding dance instruction with lessons n in Swing, Salsa, Bachata, Rumba, Merengue, Tango, Foxtrot, Waltz, and Two-Step.
THE CHOPPING BLOCK
The Chopping Block is a recreational cooking school that combines education, instruction, and entertainment for a unique culinary experience. Founded in 1997 in a small cottage in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, the Chopping Block has grown to a facility with over 12,000 feet of cooking, event, and retail space. With six different kitchens, the Chopping Block is Chicago’s largest recreational cooking school.
LASALLE FLOWERS
LaSalle Flowers has been a family-owned florist on the corner of LaSalle and Superior since 1936. Today, LaSalle Flowers continues the tradition of providing friendly customer service, beautiful fresh-cut flowers, including a wide selection of green and blooming plants and balloons. LaSalle also specializes in wedding and corporate events and offers same-day delivery in Chicago and neighboring suburbs for orders placed by 11 a.m.
ELI’S CHEESECAKE
Founded more than 40 years ago by Chicago restaurateur Eli M. Schulman, Eli’s Cheesecake has developed a reputation for serving up great food and providing outstanding service. Eli’s operates a state-of-the-art bakery, corporate office, and dessert café on Chicago’s northwest side and, since its public debut at the Taste of Chicago in 1980, has grown from a local favorite to one of the country’s largest specialty bakeries.
LAUGH FACTORY CHICAGO
Laugh Factory Chicago opened in 2012 at the iconic Lake Shore Theater in the East Lakeview neighborhood. Located in the Belmont Theater District, Laugh Factory is putting its mark on Chicago’s historic comedy scene. Through its colorful exterior and three gigantic digital marquees, there’s a lobby filled with famous comedy memorabilia, a full-service bar, a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system, and a spacious, elegant 311-seat theater.