House Bill 2234: Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act

Author:
Rep. Greg Harris

Summary:
Creates the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act. Defines “civil union” as a legal relationship between two persons, of either the same or opposite sex, established in accordance with the Act. Provides that a party to a civil union shall be entitled to the same legal obligations, responsibilities, protections, and benefits afforded or recognized by the law of Illinois to spouses. Identical bill filed in the Senate: S.B. 1716.

Status:

2/17/2009		(House) Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Greg Harris
2/18/2009		(House) First Reading
2/18/2009		(House) Referred to Rules Committee
2/19/2009		(House) Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Harry Osterman
2/19/2009		(House) Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Lou Lang
2/19/2009		(House) Added Co-Sponsor Rep. George Scully, Jr.
2/19/2009		(House) Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Julie Hamos
2/19/2009		(House) Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Cynthia Soto
2/19/2009		(House) Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Naomi D. Jakobsson
2/19/2009		(House) Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Mike Boland
2/20/2009		(House) Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie
2/20/2009		(House) Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Deborah Mell
2/20/2009		(House) Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Constance A. Howard
2/20/2009		(House) Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Sara Feigenholtz
2/23/2009		(House) Assigned to Youth and Family Committee
3/5/2009		(House) Do Pass / Standard Debate Youth and Family Committee; 004-003-000
3/5/2009		(House) Placed on Calendar, Second Reading, Standard Debate
3/19/2009		(House) Second Reading, Standard Debate
3/19/2009		(House) Placed on Calendar Order of third Reading, Standard Debate
4/3/2009		(House) Third Reading Deadline Extended—May 29, 2009
5/8/2009		(House) Final Action Deadline Extended—May 29, 2009
5/22/2009		(House) Final Action Deadline Extended—May 29, 2009
5/29/2009		(House) Final Action Deadline Extended—May 31, 2009
5/31/2009		(House) Re-referred to Rules Committee

Hearings:
Youth and Family Committee Hearing, March 5, 2009, 9 a.m. in the Capitol Building, Room 122B, Springfield, IL

HSLDA’s Position:
HSLDA opposes this bill.

Action Requested:
None requested at this time.

Background:
Parental rights are a recognized constitutional right, despite the fact that they are not explicitly stated in the Constitution. It is a fair question to ask: if they are implied rights rather than explicit rights, what is the source of parental rights?

Here is what the Supreme Court said in 2000 in the case of Troxel v. Granville:

“Our jurisprudence historically has reflected Western civilization concepts of the family as a unit with broad parental authority over minor children. Our cases have consistently followed that course.”

Thus, you can see that parental rights are based on “western civilization concepts of the family.”

When those concepts are no longer the legal definition of the family in this nation, then the foundation upon which parental rights are based is completely removed.

In a world which widely embraces the notions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, it is fanciful to believe that any other theory will arise to replace the traditions of western civilization as a basis for parental rights.

Therefore, HSLDA will continue to fight against same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage attacks the traditions of the family in western civilization. This is an attack on parental rights. This is a battle the homeschooling movement cannot afford to lose.

Other Resources

E-lert—Feb. 24, 2009—Illinois: Your Calls Needed to Protect Traditional Marriage

Bill Text

Bill History

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