News (USA)

Lawsuit challenging Ill. same-sex marriage ban on hold

Lawsuit challenging Ill. same-sex marriage ban on hold

CHICAGO — A lawsuit challenging Illinois’ ban on gay marriage is on hold until newly approved legislation allowing same-sex marriage takes effect next summer.

Seth Perlman, APRandy Hannig, center, of Equality Illinois, hands out shirts supporting gay marriage and explains how people can help support the cause during the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Ill. on August 14.
Seth Perlman, AP
Randy Hannig, center, of Equality Illinois, hands out pro-gay marriage shirts at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Ill. in August 2013.

Twenty-five same-sex couples are suing after they were rejected for marriage licenses at county clerk offices.

The lawsuit has been pending in the courts. But Illinois lawmakers approved legislation last week in Springfield that’ll allow same-sex couples to wed.

Gov. Pat Quinn says he’ll sign the bill into law next week. The law takes effect June 1.

Attorneys for the couples asked a Cook County judge Thursday to delay any movement on the lawsuit until then, when they plan to dismiss the lawsuit. The lawsuit will be moot once same-sex couples in Illinois are allowed to marry.

Judge Sophia Hall set a June 2 hearing on the case.

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