Illinois "Has it backwards" with violence tax on marriages

Diane Sollee of Smart Marriages wrote:
ILLINOIS: ANOTHER STATE THAT HAS IT BACKWARDS

Marriage may cost more
By John Patterson
Daily Herald State Government Editor
Saturday, May 19, 2007

((Auuuugh. Here is another state, ILLINOIS, getting it backwards with
ridiculous legislation that would increase marriage license fees to fund
domestic violence programs.  That is wrong-headed and misguided and sends an
unfortunate and just plain WRONG message about marriage. Marriage IS a
domestic violence prevention program. Married women are least likely to
be victims of domestic violence. Cohabiting women are the #1 victims of
domestic violence. That is also true for children - they are safest in
intact first marriages, safer from both physical and sexual abuse.  If we're
going to tap marriage license fees, that money should pay for MARRIAGE
EDUCATION Classes to help marriages stay healthy, stable and intact.  Again,
this is why it's so important to give credit to TEXAS where they got it
right.  They're using a differential in marriage license fees to provide and
incentive to couples to take an 8-hr marriage education class. And, it's not
just the money, it's the message. Attaching "getting married" to domestic
violence is misleading. If you live in Illinois, state of the infamous "Life
is Short, Get a Divorce" billboard, do something. Call someone. - diane  ))

SPRINGFIELD — Getting married in Illinois could become more expensive as
lawmakers try to come up with money for domestic violence prevention
programs.

The Illinois Senate voted Friday to add $5 to the cost of a marriage
license, which now ranges from $15 to $30 across the suburbs. The added
charge is expected to raise more than $400,000 a year. There were 82,889
marriages in Illinois in 2003, the latest year for which records are
available.

Supporters said it was a minimal expense to pay for vital programs that have
struggled to find consistent funding within the state budget.

“We’re not talking about a big tax,” said state Sen. Carol Ronen, a Chicago
Democrat.

Critics questioned the message being sent.

For instance, state Sen. Chris Lauzen, an Aurora Republican, argued the
state was, in effect, charging new couples more because of other couples’
relationships gone bad.

Still others said lawmakers were making marriage too expensive.

But state Sen. John Cullerton, a Chicago Democrat who supported the
increase, shrugged off such opposition, saying if an added $5 for a marriage
license makes someone rethink the commitment, “maybe that’s a marriage you
shouldn’t enter into in the first place.”

The proposal, sponsored by state Sen. Kwame Raoul, a Chicago Democrat, was
approved 36-17 and now goes to the House for consideration.

In Cook and DuPage counties, a marriage license now costs $30. McHenry
County charges $25, Will County charges $23, Kane County charges $18 and
Lake County charges $15.

A marriage license would cost $5 more under a plan the state Senate approved
36-17. The money would finance domestic violence prevention programs.