Judge abused power on 'marriage' licenses

As a result of last month's irresponsible judicial decision in Cook County which usurps the proper legislative process, some county clerks are now issuing same-sex "marriage" licenses across the state of Illinois. While U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman believes that there "is no reason to delay further" the implementation of Illinois' new same-sex "marriage" law, she evidently fails to recognize that creating, modifying or implementing state law is outside of the court's purview.

Making and implementing law is strictly a function of the General Assembly. Ignoring the proper roles of the three branches of government sets an extremely dangerous precedent.

When unelected judicial activists like Judge Coleman circumvent the legislative process, they are in essence telling the legislature that they are irrelevant. State lawmakers and county clerks should not be compliant in this gross usurpation of legislative power.

David E. Smith

Executive director

Illinois Family Institute

Carol Stream