COOK COUNTY - Tuesday, Cook County Judge Sophia Hall granted two county clerks the right to be defended by third party counsel in their desire to protect Illinois' Defense of Marriage Act. Tazewell County Clerk Christie Webb and Effingham County Clerk Kerry Hirtzel are standing in defense of Illinois marriage law.
The plaintiffs suing Cook County Clerk David Orr did not object to third parties representing the state on behalf of the two county clerks defending the state law. Orr's traditional legal representatives - Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan - have publicly stated they agree with the plaintiffs that Illinois' marriage law defining marriage as between one man and one woman is unconstitutional. They, along with Orr, will not defend Illinois law as it stands.
Legal representatives of the non-profit Thomas More Society are expected to counsel the Tazewell County and Effingham County state's attorneys. A hearing on the case is scheduled in August and the case will begin in September.
