Marriage license denied because man can’t talk

ROCKFORD, Ill. — A Winnebago County judge has denied a marriage license to a northern Illinois because a brain injury prevents the man from saying `I do.’

The Rockford Register Star reported Colette Purifoy of Machesney Park petitioned Judge Lisa Fabiano to order Winnebago County Clerk Margie Mullins to issue the certificate.

In dismissing the petition Wednesday, Fabiano said state law requires a couple to appear before the county clerk together and each sign the marriage application. She said state law doesn’t allow a guardian to act on behalf of Morris, who suffered an anoxic brain injury in November 2009.

Fabiano previously ordered a marriage license be issued to Morris and Purifoy. However, she said she didn’t consider probate law in that case, but whether marriage was in Morris’ best interest.