Governor JB Pritzker is signing a new law to make it easier for Illinoisans to change the gender on their birth certificate.
Previously, a person would have to get certification from a doctor that they are starting the gender change process in order to update their birth certificate. But some don’t opt for the surgery, so this new law eliminates that step. Senator Laura Fine of Glenview sponsored the legislation, saying this was a message of support to transgender Illinoisans.
Fine says, “We have witnessed extreme attacks on this community throughout our country legislatively, emotionally, and physically. In Illinois, with this legislation, we are stating that everyone is welcome here.”
Fine says this brings birth certificate requirements in line with the process for changing the gender designation on an Illinois driver’s license.
