Illinois: Bill Jeopardizes Civil Union Rights

An Illinois senator introduced a bill Monday that would allow religious organizations to use their doctrine as an excuse to discriminate against same-sex couples.

The bill would amend the recently passed civil unions law to ensure that religious institutions can be exempt from abiding by the Human Rights Act, which ensures LGBT people and same-sex couples will not be discriminated against when being considered for adopting or fostering children.

Sen. David Koheler, the bill's lead sponsor, has a lesbian daughter who just got engaged at the end of December, notes the Bilerico Project. Koehler was also the civil unions bill's primary sponsor in the senate.

SB 1123 was introduced late Monday, attached to a proposed amendment to the White Cane Law, which covers rights and accommodations for the visually impaired. It is scheduled for a hearing in the senate executive committee Wednesday. Read more coverage here.