Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act

Public Act 98-597

“Love is patient, love is kind, love bears all things, love believes all things, love hopes all things, love endures all things, love never fails.”

1 Corinthians 13:4–8

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On November 20, 2013, Gov. Pat Quinn signed historic legislation (Public Act 98-597) making marriage equality the law of Illinois. The new law enabled all couples to have access to the same rights, responsibilities, benefits, and protections of civil marriage. It further protected the religious freedom of churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, and other religious organizations.

View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Signing Marriage Equality Into Law .

On the eve of the bill-signing, Illinoisans celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. The spirit of liberty and equality espoused by President Abraham Lincoln could be found in the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, Governor Quinn told a national audience on MSNBC.

View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Celebrating Marriage Equality in Illinois.

A major step towards marriage equality occurred on January 31, 2011, when Gov. Quinn signed legislation that legalized civil unions, with access to the full state legal rights and responsibilities enjoyed by couples that are married. Afterwards, more than 6,000 couples from across Illinois joined in a civil union. The marriage equality law in 2013 also allowed the voluntary conversion of a civil union into a marriage.

View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Signing Historic Law to Legalize Civil Unions in Illinois.