Bill > HB1744

This bill amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA) to eliminate all provisions allowing individuals under 18 to marry, effectively raising the minimum marriage age to 18 years old statewide. Specifically, the bill removes previous language that permitted 16 and 17-year-olds to marry with parental consent or judicial approval, and makes corresponding changes to sections governing marriage licenses and marriage invalidity. The bill eliminates provisions that previously allowed underage marriages, such as the ability to obtain a marriage license for someone who will turn 18 soon or who is 16-17 with parental consent. It also removes the legal grounds for challenging a marriage based on a party being underage, effectively closing previous loopholes that allowed child marriages. The bill will take effect immediately, though some specified provisions will not be implemented until two years after the law is enacted, likely to allow time for administrative and systemic adjustments. By removing all pathways for marriage before age 18, the bill aims to protect minors from potential exploitation or forced marriages and ensure that individuals enter marriage as legal adults.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1744&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104