SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — A State Senator proposed a bill that would implement gender-neutral terms in certain sections of civil law.

“LGBTQIA+ people deserve to feel seen and represented in all spaces, including in our state laws,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “With this simple language change, more Illinoisans will not have to worry about restrictions to accessing their property should they change their gender identity or if they are in a same-sex marriage. This is a long time coming to make Illinois a more inclusive state.”

Senate Bill 2777 replaces terms like “husband” and “wife” with “spouse,” “married couple” and other gender-neutral alternatives in sections of civil law related to property. This would remove legal ambiguities when preparing real estate documents and ensure compliance with the state’s same-sex marriage law.

By using gender-neutral terms, the legislation would make the legal code more inclusive to nonbinary, intersex and gender-nonconforming individuals and those in same-sex relationships.

Senate Bill 2777 awaits further discussion in the spring legislative session.