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Two County Clerks defend gay marriage ban

Tazewell County website
/
tazewell.com

Two county clerks want to defend Illinois’ ban on gay marriage. A judge may decide whether they can Tuesday.Tazewell County Clerk Christie Webb and Effingham County Clerk Kerry Hirtzel have asked to intervene in a lawsuit that seeks to overturn the state’s ban on gay marriage. They say that’s because Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Cook County’s State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez refuse to defend the ban, saying it’s unconstitutional.

Webb says she has no position on gay marriage: she just wants to make sure there’s one law that applies to all counties. She says she needs clarity on the issue so she can carry out her duties as County Clerk.

The two clerks are backed by the Thomas More Society, a group opposing gay marriage that filed a request on their behalf Friday.  Earlier this year, the American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit on behalf of 25 Illinois couples against the Cook County Clerk, in an attempt to overturn the state’s ban on gay marriage.

Susan is an award-winning reporter/writer at her favorite radio station. She's also WNIJ's Perspectives editor, Under Rocks contributor, and local host of All Things Considered.