CHICAGO (AP) - A vocal opponent of gay marriage says a federal judge circumvented Illinois’ political process by ruling that same-sex marriages can begin now.
David Smith is executive director of the Illinois Family Institute. He says there was no reason for U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman to declare Illinois’ original ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional.
She ruled Friday that same-sex couples should not have to wait until a state law legalizing same-sex marriage takes effect on June 1.
But her ruling applies only to Cook County, because the suit was filed against County Clerk David Orr.
Smith says the ruling was unnecessary because same-sex marriages can begin in a few months.
He says the issue already was addressed by lawmakers, even though he didn’t agree with them, either.
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