An article in today’s Aurora Beacon-News discusses how county clerks are preparing for the civil union application process. Couples may apply for civil unions beginning June 1, 2011.
Just a few months ago, the answer to this question was no. With the passage of the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act (“Act”) and anticipated signature by Governor Pat Quinn, the answer has changed. Civil unions will become legal in Illinois on July 1, 2011. Section 60 of the Act states: A…
The Illinois General Assembly has passed the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act (“Act”) establishing legal protections for same-sex couples in the state. The Act, first introduced in March 2007 by Representative Greg Harris, and in the Illinois Senate by Senator David Koehler, passed 61-52 in the House on Tuesday, November 30th and…
A federal judge on Wednesday, August 4th, ruled that California’s Proposition 8, a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage, is unconstitutional. But, Chief U.S District Judge Vaughn Walker in San Francisco also granted a temporary stay, which stops his decision from taking immediate effect. The case, Perry et al v. Schwarzenegger et al, can be read…
No. As of this writing, Illinois law prohibits a marriage between two people of the same sex and does not recognize a same-sex marriage performed in a state where it is legal, for example, Massachusetts. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act states that “a marriage between 2 individuals of the same sex” is…
No. As of this writing, Illinois law does not allow two people of the same sex to marry. Even if that same-sex couple travels to and marries in a state or country that allows same-sex marriage, their marriage will not be legally recognized in Illinois. Although the state of Illinois prohibits same-sex marriage, other governmental…
A marriage license is a powerful thing. It automatically gives each marriage partner and their children specific legal protections and benefits. The U.S. General Accounting Office has identified at least 1,138 federal benefits, rights and privileges that are available only to couples with traditional marriages. In addition, the laws of most states give certain rights…