Page updated:
05/27/2009

 Catholics and Illinois

This page is dedicated to state wide issues that effect the parishioners of the parish on various issues. To keep appraised of the issues effecting Catholics and all others in this state we recommend checking with the web site of Catholic Conference of Illinois.

Formed in 1969 by the Roman Catholic Bishops of Illinois, the Catholic Conference of Illinois (CCI) is the agent through which the dioceses of Illinois may act mutually and cooperatively in matters of interdiocesan and state-wide interest. CCI is a board-approved administration with legislative priorities.

Important issues will appear on this page from time to time. Please take the time to get the Catholic viewpoint in these issues and then take the appropriate action.

To contact your state representative or for information on legislation visit the web site of The Illinois General Assembly.

Senate Bill 1716 - Civil Unions

We need continue phone calls, emails and letters going into state representative offices.
The message is simple: "Please vote no on Civil Unions. Senate Bill 1716 equates civil unions and marriage by conferring the same rights and benefits."

Points to Consider Regarding Senate Bill 1716: Civil Unions Legislation

We seek to avoid unjust discrimination; however, we oppose this civil unions legislation because it confers legal guarantees, equivalent in every respect, to those granted in marriage.  The proponents will say that this bill is not about same sex marriage.  Do not be misled.  This legislation is all about same sex marriage.

Ø      The legislation redefines “Spouse” to include “a party to civil union.”  For many generations, the term “spouse” has been defined as a married person, namely a husband or a wife.  Nevertheless, the bill would introduce wholesale changes to this term by establishing that a “party to a civil union’ means, and shall be included in, any definition or use of the terms ‘spouse’, ‘family’, ‘immediate family’, ‘dependent’, ‘next of kin’, and other terms that denote the spousal relationship, as those terms are used throughout the law.”

It is difficult to appreciate the far-reaching consequences of such a sweeping change.  A search on the Illinois General Assembly web site on March 1, 2009 revealed that there are more than five hundred (500) statutory provisions that contain the term “spouse.”  This does not include the additional significant volume of regulations and other legal provisions that would be directly altered. 

Ø      The legislation provides that parties to civil unions have equivalent legal rights as married spouses.  In case there was any doubt about the broad intended impact the bill, please consider the bill would establish 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.”  In other words, under this bill, there is NO difference between the two legal relationships – marriages and civil unions.

Ø      Religious Liberty Concerns.  Beyond the important concerns identified above, there is a conflict hidden in the bill – the emerging conflict between this legislation and religious liberty.  While the bill states that nothing in the Act should interfere with or regulate the religious practice of any religious body, such language may offer little protection in the context of litigation that religious institutions could face under the bill if adopted.  Among the questions that could emerge include:

• Will Catholic Charities be required to place foster children or adoptive children with couples in same sex marriages / civil unions?
• Will faith-based institutions, such as schools, be compelled to hire a partner in a same sex marriage / civil union even if it interferes with a core aspect of the institution’s ministry?
• Will faith-based institutions be compelled to pay for benefits for same sex couples even if this conflicts with core tenets of the beliefs of that institution?
• Applications for permits and licenses with various levels of government require compliance with all laws.  How will those applications be affected if the state recognizes same sex marriages / civil unions while the applicants that are faith-based institutions do not? 

With more than 500 statutory provisions affected by this bill, and many more regulatory and other legal requirements, the consequences of the passage of this bill would be far-reaching and harmful. 

The Illinois legislature has previously rejected bills on same sex marriage for many good reasons, such as: (1) the natural sanctity of marriage, as the foundation of society, as a union between man and woman; (2) the “slippery slope” towards approving polygamy or other arrangements; (3) concerns about costs of government benefits; (4) the unforeseen legal and cultural impacts of such a change and much more.  You should bring those same concerns to consideration of this civil unions legislation. 

Zach Wichmann
Catholic Conference of Illinois
Associate Director for Education
217-528-9200


Alicia V. Torres
Young Adult Outreach Coordinator
Archdiocese of Chicago
Respect Life Office
P.O. Box 1979
Chicago, IL 60690
312-534-5355

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