RSSCivil Unions - Chicago Illinois Family Law Blog - Page 5
Guidelines Released by Illinois Dept. of Insurance for Civil Union Spouses
On May 26, the Illinois Department of Insurance released information for insurance companies and consumers regarding the “Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act,” which took effect on June 1. The Act permits unmarried adults in Illinois to enter into a civil union, and grants them much of the same legal rights that the law gives to married couples in the state.
On its website, http://www.insurance.illinois.gov, the Department published new information that explains the law’s impact on insurance coverage and benefits. A fact sheet for consumers contains frequently asked questions that cover such aspects of the new law as how to enroll a civil union spouse under an employer’s health plan. The Department also offers guidelines for Illinois insurance companies to help ensure that they comply with the new law and give policyholders information they need to know about the new law. Illinois residents with questions can visit the Department’s website or call one of the Department’s insurance experts at 866-445-5326.
Civil Union License Fee May Match Marriage License Fee in Kane County
The Courier-News reports that the Public Service Committee in Kane County, one of the larger counties in Illinois, has approved a fee for civil union licenses to be implemented when civil unions become law on June 1. The fee is the same as the current fee to obtain a marriage license in the county, and was proposed by Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham.
The Committee approved the recommendation regarding the fee on Thursday, April 21. Now, the resolution goes before the county board, and if it is passed, the fee for a civil union license will be $27. A civil union certificate will cost $11. In order for the union to occur, a license is needed. However, the certificate is the evidence that the marriage occurred and needs to be filed with the county clerk’s office. Any additional copies of the civil union certificate will cost $4 apiece. Cunningham stated he believed it made the most sense to have the fee for a civil union license mirror the current fee for a marriage license.
Colorado Moves Toward Approving Civil Unions
According to CNN, the Colorado Senate recently approved a civil unions bill that would provide same-sex couples with many of the same rights already afforded to heterosexual couples. Senate Bill 172, which was approved by a 23-12 vote, would grant the right to share medical decisions, apply for family leave, and inherit property, among other rights, to same-sex couples in a civil union. The legislation now goes to the Colorado House.
Currently under Colorado law, only a man and a woman can be married. This bill would authorize two unmarried adults to enter into a civil union, regardless of their gender. Previously, in 2006, voters in Colorado rejected a domestic partnership measure.
Illinois Investigates Whether Religious Foster Care Agencies Violate the Civil Union Act
According to The Chicago Tribune, state officials are now looking into whether religious agencies that are given public funding to give foster care parents licenses are violating anti-discrimination laws if they don’t allow parents that are openly gay to apply for a license. In Illinois, any adult who adopts or becomes a foster care provider for a child must attain a foster care license.
The Lutheran Child and Family Services, the Evangelical Child and Family Agency, and the Catholic Charities are under fire. If they are found to be in violation, they will be required to give openly gay foster parents licenses or face losing millions of dollars from the State. This would also disrupt over 3,000 foster children under their supervision. The policies of the Lutheran Child and Family Services prohibit the “developing or licensing foster care families who identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or questioning,” as do the other agencies.
Learning More about Civil Unions in Illinois
SB1716 (The Civil Unions Bill) will take effect in Illinois on June 1, 2011. However, besides making civil unions legal in the state, you may not know much beyond that. Thankfully, the Cook County Clerk has provided an overview of some of the highlights of the recently passed legislation.
Civil union licenses will be issued by all county clerks in the state, and will be available to both heterosexual and same-sex couples who are both at least 18-years-old. It is important to note that the clerk’s office will not perform civil union ceremonies. After a couple obtains a civil union license, they will be required to wait until the next day to have the union “solemnized” by an officiant, such as a religious official or judge. A couple will then have up to 60 days to return their civil union license to their issuing clerk as proof of their union. To end a civil union, it must be dissolved in court like divorce, rather than simply notifying a local county clerk.
Predicting the Impact of New Civil Union Legislation in Illinois
The “Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act” has been approved and the new Illinois civil union legislation will be effective starting June 1, 2011. However, as a Courier-News article points out, the exact impact and implementation of the new civil union law is not as clear.
As county registrars and county clerks begin preparations surrounding the distribution of civil union licenses, it is expected that civil unions will create more work for some offices and employees, although the exact change in workload is uncertain.
Illinois Civil Unions Law to Go Into Effect in July 2011
Senate Bill 2436, known as the “Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act” has been approved and the new Illinois civil union law will go into effect in July 2011. The Huffington Post reports that the measure passed by a 32-24-1 Senate vote and by a 61-52 Illinois House majority vote.
The new law will permit heterosexual and homosexual couples in a committed relationship to enter into civil unions. The “Illinois Religious Freedom and Civil Union Act” will also allow religious institutions to define marriage as they wish. Two adults may enter into an Illinois civil union if they are in a committed relationship and are at least 18 years of age, are not in an existing marriage or civil union, and are not related. Those who enter into an Illinois civil union will be given many of the same legal obligations, protections, responsibilities, and benefits that are provided to married couples.
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