Many Illinoisians are jubilant following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down bans on same-sex marriages, making gay marriage legal nationwide. In a long-awaited ruling, the nations highest court ruled 5-4 that outlawing gay marriage and refusing to recognize same-sex marriages legally performed in other states violated the equal protection and due process clauses of the Constitution’s 14th Amendment.
Although same-sex marriage was legalized in Illinois last year, advocates note the distinction is what makes the ruling significant in Illinois. In making gay marriage bans unconstitutional, the Supreme Court closed off the possibility of state legislatures repealing laws allowing gay couples to marry and ended inconsistencies across state lines. Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia had legalized gay marriage prior to the ruling and now all states are subject to the same law.
If you need help with family law issues regarding same-sex premarital agreements, adoption, property division, child custody or support and divorce, contact the Law Offices of Schlesinger & Strauss, LLC.
