Religious organizations that provide foster care and adoption services are again trying to carve out exceptions to Illinois' new civil unions statute, saying they shouldn't be forced to choose between their values and the law.
Supporters of the new law—which gives same-sex couples the same adoption rights as traditional couples—are vowing to keep it intact. Randy Hannig, director of public policy for Equality Illinois, said "this marks the fifth time in a year that our opponents have tried to carve out an exemption for themselves, and all three branches of state government have rejected their argument.”
State Rep. Dwight Kay, R- Edwardsville, (pictured right) again filed legislation that would allow religion based or affiliated adoption agencies with state contracts to decline an adoption or foster family home application, as well as licensure and placement, to anyone in a civil union. State Rep. David Reis, R-Ste. Marie and state Rep. Paul Evans, R-O'Fallon, are co-sponsors of the legislation.
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