News

Illinois Department of Revenue Guts Civil Unions Law, Bureaucrats Blame DOMA

June 28, 2011

(Chicago, IL) - Log Cabin Republicans strenuously object to the Illinois Department of Revenue decision not to allow same-sex couples to file joint state tax returns, wrongly stating that the Religious Freedom and Civil Union Act "did not change the Illinois income tax laws."

"The Department of Revenue interpretation is not just inaccurate - it's wrong. Log Cabin Republicans of Illinois worked long and hard to pass a bill which unequivocally provides to partners in a civil union all of the rights and responsibilities given to spouses. Recognition as a couple under the Illinois state tax code is a basic part of equality under the law. This blatant misinterpretation distorts the will of the people of Illinois and highlights the problem of settling for 'separate but equal' status," said Log Cabin Republicans of Illinois chapter president Caitlin Huxley.

"It is particularly offensive that the Illinois Department of Revenue relies on the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to contradict the clear intent of the Illinois legislature. The federal government has no right to interfere with how Illinois chooses to recognize its citizens' relationships.DOMA has absolutely nothing to do with civil unions in Illinois, and this is one more reason why this unconstitutional encroachment by the federal government should be repealed."