Remote marriage license bill faces skepticism from former clerk
[January 29, 2026]
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
(The Center Square) – A new Illinois proposal aimed at expanding access
to marriage licenses for people with disabilities or serious health
conditions is drawing skepticism from a state lawmaker and former county
clerk.
House Bill 4508 would allow people with disabilities or serious health
conditions to apply for a marriage license through a real-time video
call and, in limited cases, permit a county clerk or designee to
complete the application at an applicant’s location.
Supporters say the bill removes barriers for those with mobility
challenges, while critics, like state Sen. Sally Turner, R-Beason, argue
it would add administrative burdens and raises concerns about verifying
eligibility remotely.
“The state doesn’t have any money to put toward this, and the counties
have no money because we keep taking it away from them on a state
level,” Turner said. “If it’s one more burden on the clerk’s offices,
it’s ridiculous.”
Turner served as Logan County Clerk and Recorder from 1994 for over a
decade before joining the Illinois Senate in 2021.
Turner also questioned how clerks would verify eligibility requirements
remotely, including age restrictions, parental consent for minors and
citizenship-related questions that may appear on marriage applications.
“I don’t know how you’re going to certify that all that information is
true and correct if that person doesn’t sign off on the document in
person,” she said. “Then there’s the problem of if you’re under 18,
parents have to give their permission. How does all that work?”
While Turner said she supports helping residents who genuinely cannot
travel, she questioned whether the bill addresses a widespread need.
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The Illinois State Capitol is shown in Springfield. Photo: Greg
Bishop / The Center Square
Turner emphasized that while many counties already allow marriage
applications to be filled out online, applicants are still required
to appear in person to verify their identities and swear that the
information provided is true and correct. Turner questioned whether
moving the application process fully online would undermine that
verification, particularly in smaller counties with limited staff
and resources.
“Let’s just take one of the southern counties, Franklin County, this
might have two people that work there,” she said. “Who’s going to
come up with this program? Who’s going to do the virtual setting?
Are you going to hire more people to do this?”
She also expressed broader concerns about moving sensitive
government processes online, pointing to cybersecurity risks.
“Anything that goes out through the internet is scary,” Turner said.
“People can hack into cyberspace and manipulate things. I think it’s
important to keep everything solidly within the clerk’s boundaries.”
The bill states that requests for in-person accommodations at an
applicant’s location would need to be supported by a written
certification from a medical professional stating that the
accommodation is necessary to prevent hardship.
“We all want to help individuals that are unable to get out to the
clerk’s office on their own,” she said. “But if it’s a legal
document, then I think we need to pay careful attention to it.”
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