Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is expected to sign into law the "Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act," providing for civil unions in Illinois.
The legislation may be important for banks, lenders and other consumer financial services companies, among other things due to homestead, credit disclosure, credit discrimination, employment and other marital and spousal rights laws.
The full text of the legislation is available at:
The new legislation provides that: "A party to a civil union is entitled to the same legal obligations, responsibilities, protections, and benefits as are afforded or recognized by the law of Illinois to spouses, whether they derive from statute, administrative rule, policy, common law, or any other source of civil or criminal law."
The parties to the civil union would have to apply for and obtain a certificate, similar to a marriage license.
Under Illinois law, if the Governor sings the legislation into law as he has publicly stated he would, the new statute should become effective on June 1, 2011.
Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks.
Ralph T. Wutscher
Kahrl Wutscher LLP
The Loop Center Building
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Chicago, Illinois 60602
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