Illinois woman plans appeal of denied marriage license

ROCKFORD — A northern Illinois woman’s attorney says she will appeal a judge’s ruling that she can’t wed her longtime partner because he has a brain injury.

The Rockford Register Star reports that Colette Purifoy of Machesney Park will appeal Judge Lisa Fabiano’s Oct. 2 ruling. Attorney Cindi Koroll said Tuesday that the appeal will go to the Second District Appellate Court.

The judge ruled that 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 Purifoy’s partner, who suffered an anoxic brain injury in November 2009.

The couple has been together for 38 years.