This notice is to advise you of the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act (the Act), and its impact on your insurance coverage.

The Act creates a legal relationship between two persons of the same or opposite sex who form a civil union pursuant to the Act. A marriage between persons of the same sex, a civil union, or a substantially similar legal relationship other than common law marriage, legally entered into outside of Illinois, will be recognized in Illinois as a civil union.

Parties to a civil union are entitled to the same legal obligations, responsibilities, protections and benefits that are afforded or recognized by the laws of Illinois to spouses.

Effective June 1, 2011, the term 'spouse' in policies, certificates, and applications will be considered to include the parties to a civil union. Policies of insurance that provide coverage for children will include coverage for the children of civil unions.