Laws against same-sex marriage took another hit, as Illinois Cook County State’s Attorney stated she felt the state’s ban was “unconstitutional,” joining a growing number of Prairie State politicians rejecting the discriminatory law.
A statement from the office of State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez reads in part:
“[We] concede that the equal-protection clause of the Illinois Constitution prohibits discrimination in the issuance of marriage licenses based upon sex or sexual orientation…
We are in agreement with the plaintiffs that Illinois laws that prohibit same-sex marriage are unconstitutional. We believe the plaintiffs are correct in their assertion that the Illinois Constitution upholds marriage equality for same sex couples just as it does for opposite sex couples.”
In May, Democratic Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn announced his support for same-sex marriage and, just last week, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed papers indicating her office would no longer defend the ban.
1equalityUSA
Formaldehyde, MaggieGallagherRobertPGeorgeNancyWiggleElliottandall, I hope you like the smell of it. You’re going extinct.
Cam
The bigots house of cards is falling down. They will kick and scream but the tide is against them.
Sam
Who is left to defend the ban against the lawsuit? Anyone? If no one will defend, do we just win?
Captain Dean Lowry
Is there some procedural device whereby the ban can be defended by the legislature? I don’t think the executive ever has the prerogative to simply not enforce a law, bigoted though it is. Definite separation of powers problem.
xoxo
Captain Dean