Published on
July 13, 2010 by
Sandra Slaga
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 [...]
Published on
April 22, 2010 by
Sandra Slaga
Two gay couples in Texas who were married in Massachusetts, where same-sex marriage is legal, are trying to get divorces, but the State of Texas is saying no. Getting a divorce in Massachusetts is not an option since they are now Texas residents.
In the first case, the men – who are identified in court records [...]
Published on
March 30, 2010 by
Sandra Slaga
The 2010 Census will be the first census to publicly release the number of both same-sex spouses and same-sex unmarried partners. In the past, these two groups were combined and reported as same-sex “unmarried partners.”
This information will come from the relationship question, which asks the person filling out the form to identify how all [...]
Published on
February 17, 2010 by
Sandra Slaga
Dennis Engelhard and Kelly Glossip were life partners for almost 15 years. They owned a home together. Glossip’s teenage son from a previous marriage, before Glossip came out as gay, considered Engelhard a stepfather. But Glossip will not be receiving survivor’s benefits from Engelhard’s pension.
Engelhard, a 10-year veteran of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, was [...]
Published on
November 4, 2009 by
Sandra Slaga
Maine voters narrowly decided to repeal a new law allowing same-sex marriage. With almost all precincts reporting, 53 percent voted to overturn the law and 47 percent voted to keep it.
The bill was signed into law in May, but same-sex marriage opponents gathered more than the 55,000 signatures necessary to call for a public vote. [...]
Published on
October 13, 2009 by
Sandra Slaga
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, [...]
Published on
October 1, 2009 by
Sandra Slaga
A bill to legalize marriage between two adults of the same sex was introduced Thursday in the Illinois Senate by State Senator Heather Steans. This marks the first time such a bill has been up for consideration in the Senate.
SB2468, known as the Equal Marriage Act, would provide for state recognition of same-sex marriage, [...]
Published on
August 6, 2009 by
Sandra Slaga
A will is a legal document that allows you to control who will receive your property when you die, and how and when they’ll receive it. It also allows you to name someone to carry out the instructions in your will, and allows you to nominate a guardian for your minor children.
If you die without [...]