Attorney General Lisa Madigan is telling Illinois' county clerks they have the right to immediately issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Madigan issued the guidance Tuesday in response to a question from Macon County Clerk Stephen Bean.
A state law legalizing same-sex marriage takes effect June 1. But a federal judge in Chicago ruled Feb. 21 that Illinois' original ban was unconstitutional. That means there's nothing to stop couples from marrying now.
The court said the ruling only applied to Cook County. However, in a letter to Bean, Madigan said because current restrictions on gay marriage are unconstitutional, same sex couples asking for a marriage license in any county can be given one.
Gov. Pat Quinn, in a statement, said every county clerk in Illinois should quickly follow Madigan's guidance.
