New Illinois Bill Would Bar Anyone Under 18 From Getting Married

Yes, it's currently allowed.

Illinois' legislature is wasting no time in 2025. About 1,800 bills have been filed in the state within the first 2 weeks of the legislative session.

One would put a hard stop on a current marriage law in the state.

Illinois' Sneaky Marriage Laws

In certain roundabout ways, you can marry your own family or get hitched as a minor and still have an Illinois marriage license to show for it.

Read More: Technically, You Can Get Married To Your First Cousin In Illinois

According to Equality Now, child marriage (defined as one or both parties being under the age of 18) is legal in 37 states. 20 states don't require a minimum age for marriage, with a parental waiver.

Currently, Illinois allows minors to get married if their parent or guardian signs off on it. Even then, the groom and bride have to be at least 16 and have parental consent or judicial approval to get married.

The New Bill

The new legislation introduced in Illinois would make the minimum age to get married in the state 18, period. No loophole, no parental consent, nothing. It would not allow for any approval of underage marriage.

It was introduced this week by Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R, Rockford). It has now been referred to the Rules Committee for review.

It doesn't seem like it would happen immediately, should the bill become law. The text on it reads that "specified provisions" wouldn't take effect in the state until 2 years after it is signed into law.