Same-sex marriage in Illinois
Encyclopedia
Illinois
recognizes same-sex union
s in the form of civil unions
that provide same-sex couples the rights of marriage under state law. Civil unions were legalized in Illinois on January 31, 2011, after Governor Pat Quinn
signed legislation, and the law went into effect on June 1, 2011. The legislation that legalized civil unions in Illinois also allows opposite-sex civil unions and "reciprocity", recognition of substantially similar legal relationships, including same-sex marriages and civil unions, legally entered into in another jurisdictions. Same-sex marriages cannot be legally entered into in Illinois.
On February 22, 2007, Representative Greg Harris
introduced the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act in the Illinois House of Representatives
, which would have provided for legal same-sex marriage
in the state. The bill died in committee.
A second bill, HB 1826, would have created the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act. Under the bill, the creation, benefits, and dissolution of civil unions would be essentially identical to marriage. The bill was not brought to a vote before the full House. Bills to legalize civil unions were introduced in the Illinois General Assembly
in 2007 and 2009 without being put to a vote.
On January 14, 2009, Rep. Greg Harris reintroduced the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act in the Illinois House of Representatives, but it died in committee.
On February 18, 2009, Rep. Harris reintroduced the bill
. which was reported out of committee, 4–3, along party lines, with Democrats in support and Republicans opposed. The bill advanced to third reading on March 19, but died on the floor. However, through a parliamentary procedure, Senate Bill 1716 was gutted and replaced with the contents of HB2234. Though the legislative session was scheduled to end on May 31, and no votes had been taken on the amended SB 1716 prior to that time, the deadline for passage of SB 1716 was extended to November 30.
On November 30, 2010, the House passed the bill by a 61–52 margin. The Senate approved the bill on December 1 by a 32–24 margin, sending it to Governor Pat Quinn
. The Governor signed the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act into law on January 12,2011. The bill became effective June 1, 2011.
Also in 2009, the Equal Marriage Act, SB 2468, was introduced by Senator Heather Steans
a Democrat from Chicago. This was the first time a same-sex marriage bill was introduced in the Illinois Senate
. It would amend the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act to declare that "a marriage is between 2 persons" (rather than, "a man and a woman"). The bill died in committee.
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
recognizes same-sex union
Same-sex union
Same-sex unions are legal or religious unions between two persons of the same sex.In legal contexts, their recognition varies based upon the region in which the union is formed. Some regions allow same-sex marriage, civil marriage between two persons of the same sex. Others recognize civil unions...
s in the form of civil unions
Civil union in the United States
A civil union is a legally recognized union similar to marriage. Many people are critical of civil unions because they say they represent separate status unequal to marriage...
that provide same-sex couples the rights of marriage under state law. Civil unions were legalized in Illinois on January 31, 2011, after Governor Pat Quinn
Pat Quinn (politician)
Patrick Joseph "Pat" Quinn III is the 41st and current Governor of Illinois. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Previously elected three times to statewide office, Quinn was the sitting lieutenant governor and became governor on January 29, 2009, when the previous governor, Rod Blagojevich,...
signed legislation, and the law went into effect on June 1, 2011. The legislation that legalized civil unions in Illinois also allows opposite-sex civil unions and "reciprocity", recognition of substantially similar legal relationships, including same-sex marriages and civil unions, legally entered into in another jurisdictions. Same-sex marriages cannot be legally entered into in Illinois.
Relationship law
The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act prohibits "marriages between 2 members of the same sex", and same-sex marriages are not recognized as they are held to be contrary to public policy. Adoption by gay individuals or partners, including second-parent adoptions are permitted. The Illinois Domestic Violence Act, which protects people who share or used to share a dwelling or a "dating relationship" with their abusers, is written in gender-neutral language, meaning it is applicable to same-sex partners.History
The 2005 Illinois Policy Survey found that 31% of residents supported the legal right to marry someone of the same sex, and an additional 34% of residents supported civil unions, for a total of 65% of Illinois residents who favored legal rights for same-sex couples.On February 22, 2007, Representative Greg Harris
Greg Harris (Illinois)
Gregory S. Harris is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives, having represented the state's 13th district since 2007. He was elected in November 2006, having been selected by the 13th district's Democratic ward committeemen to replace Larry McKeon as the party's nominee on the...
introduced the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act in the Illinois House of Representatives
Illinois House of Representatives
The Illinois House of Representatives is the lower house of the Illinois General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Illinois. The body was created by the first Illinois Constitution adopted in 1818. The state House of Representatives is made of 118 representatives elected from...
, which would have provided for legal same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
in the state. The bill died in committee.
A second bill, HB 1826, would have created the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act. Under the bill, the creation, benefits, and dissolution of civil unions would be essentially identical to marriage. The bill was not brought to a vote before the full House. Bills to legalize civil unions were introduced in the Illinois General Assembly
Illinois General Assembly
The Illinois General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Illinois and comprises the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate. The General Assembly was created by the first state constitution adopted in 1818. Illinois has 59 legislative districts, with two...
in 2007 and 2009 without being put to a vote.
On January 14, 2009, Rep. Greg Harris reintroduced the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act in the Illinois House of Representatives, but it died in committee.
On February 18, 2009, Rep. Harris reintroduced the bill
. which was reported out of committee, 4–3, along party lines, with Democrats in support and Republicans opposed. The bill advanced to third reading on March 19, but died on the floor. However, through a parliamentary procedure, Senate Bill 1716 was gutted and replaced with the contents of HB2234. Though the legislative session was scheduled to end on May 31, and no votes had been taken on the amended SB 1716 prior to that time, the deadline for passage of SB 1716 was extended to November 30.
On November 30, 2010, the House passed the bill by a 61–52 margin. The Senate approved the bill on December 1 by a 32–24 margin, sending it to Governor Pat Quinn
Pat Quinn (politician)
Patrick Joseph "Pat" Quinn III is the 41st and current Governor of Illinois. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Previously elected three times to statewide office, Quinn was the sitting lieutenant governor and became governor on January 29, 2009, when the previous governor, Rod Blagojevich,...
. The Governor signed the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act into law on January 12,2011. The bill became effective June 1, 2011.
Also in 2009, the Equal Marriage Act, SB 2468, was introduced by Senator Heather Steans
Heather Steans
Heather Steans is a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 7th district. She was appointed after winning a controversial special primary election that followed the mid-term resignation of her predecessor, Senator Carol Ronen...
a Democrat from Chicago. This was the first time a same-sex marriage bill was introduced in the Illinois Senate
Illinois Senate
The Illinois Senate is the upper chamber of the Illinois General Assembly, the legislative branch of the government of the state of Illinois in the United States. The body was created by the first state constitution adopted in 1818. The Illinois Senate is made up of 59 senators elected from...
. It would amend the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act to declare that "a marriage is between 2 persons" (rather than, "a man and a woman"). The bill died in committee.