"Separate but equal" in Illinois

The Illinois state legislature has passed a civil union law. While this is a step forward, in that it will improve the practical situation of gay couples, its also very explicitly "separate but equal"; it does not grant the same rights as marriage, and the relationships will not be recognised by the federal government. Even gay rights advocates recognise that it may ultimately freeze progress rather than being a stepping stone to equality. But I guess in such a virulently homophobic country as the US, you have to take what you can get (and keep on demanding more).